Pre-Matriculation Program

From day one of the Sophie Davis BS in Biomedical Science program, students are immersed in a distinctive, mission-critical focus on understanding and addressing longstanding differences in health outcomes that are deeply embedded in our communities. This foundational learning begins with our required Summer Pre-Matriculation Program for incoming first-year undergraduate. The program offers academic coursework in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Learning Success Seminars to prepare students for college-level work. Additionally, students have the opportunity to engage with distinguished Sophie Davis and CUNY Medicine faculty and staff while being mentored by experienced upper-class peer tutors.

Photovoice Showcase

The Photovoice Research project is an integral part of our Pre-Matriculation Program. It culminates in the Photovoice Showcase and awards ceremony in August. Mentored by expert faculty, student groups design and carry out research projects that investigate community health disparities in New York City and surrounding areas like Westchester and Long Island.

Past topics have explored the relationship between diabetes and fast-food consumption; redlining and its impact on healthcare affordability; and food deserts in low-income areas. By the end of the program, students will have engaged with healthcare professionals, attended lectures examining variation in health outcomes and healthcare delivery, completed hospital tours at Harlem Hospital, and obtained BLS/CPR certification.

The daylong Photovoice Showcase simulates a professional academic conference. Students create posters that outline the team’s investigation question, detail objectives and methods, summarize results, and offer a concluding discussion statement. Faculty judges evaluate each project and provide feedback. Students then have the opportunity to revise their posters for CUNY Medicine’s annual Student Research Day held in November.