The Blackwell Medical Scholarship Program provides a unique opportunity for qualified first-year students. Those who meet and maintain the standards of the program are guaranteed a seat in medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine at Syracuse upon their graduation from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
The program is named for Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman physician in North America. She received her medical degree from Geneva Medical College (now Hobart and William Smith Colleges) in 1849, graduating at the top of her class.
She continued her studies in Paris and later opened her own practice in New York in 1851. A few years later, with her sister’s help, she opened a clinic for poor women and children. In 1868 she founded the Women’s Medical College of the New York Infirmary, one of the first medical schools for women.
The Geneva Medical College was moved to Syracuse and today is the SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine.
Blackwell Medical Scholars receive:
a full-tuition scholarship for four years to attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
a guaranteed seat in medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine.
a waiver of the requirement to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
To qualify applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Applicants must also have minimum SAT scores of 1250 (reading and math) or an ACT Composite of 28, a high school grade point average of 90 or higher (or 3.7 on a 4.0 scale) and demonstrate commitment to a career in medicine.
In addition to these general requirements, the top applicants will be required to come to campus (in late February) for an evaluative interview. The interview committee will then select the top candidates for Blackwell Medical Scholarship.
Students who meet the requirements are encouraged to fill out and submit the Blackwell Scholarship form.
a grade point average (GPA) must not drop below 3.0 during any semester at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
must have a graduation grade point average (GPA) greater than or equal to 3.5 in their science courses.
must successfully complete the Geneva General Hospital internship program and any enrichment activities required by SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine.