High school graduates are getting a head start in medical school thanks to a new program Florida Atlantic University leaders said is the first of its kind in the country.
Friday, four students ages 17 and 18 signed letters of intent to attend FAU’s medical school. The early commitment is thanks to a new pipeline from FAU High School to the university’s medical school called M.D. Direct.
School leaders said their goal is to attract the best and brightest students to the medical school.
Members of the inaugural class earned bachelor’s degrees while in high school.
Max Rabil said he suffered a seizure when he was 5-years-old and has been fascinated by medicine ever since. He plans to become a neurosurgeon.
“It’s an immense honor to be 18 and coming into med school. It’s like Doogie Howser except better I think because this is real,” Rabil said referring to the old TV show about a child doctor.
These students still need to pass the MCAT before they’re officially accepted. They’ll spend one year volunteering and researching before starting medical school in the fall of 2018.
