JAMP- Joint Admission Medical Program
Making the Dream of Medical School a Reality
Welcome to JAMP
Many students dream of becoming doctors. But sometimes there’s a gap between the
dream and the reality, and for some, the gap is just too wide to get across.
The chasm may have nothing to do with being smart enough or dedicated enough to
pursue a career as a doctor. It may just be about the cost of getting qualified and going
to medical school.
That’s where JAMP comes in. The Joint Admission Medical Program, which was established by the Texas Legislature in 2001, helps talented students of low socioeconomic status realize their dream of serving others by becoming doctors who will then go back into underserved communities to lend a healing hand. The program is directed at high school students who plan to go to medical school following college, and application takes place during the first semester of their freshman year at TLU. JAMP offers assistance by way of undergraduate scholarships, placement in summer internships, and preparation for the MCAT to help program participants be admitted to medical school.
JAMP and TLU
Texas Lutheran University has participated in the JAMP program for 25-plus years,
helping students who dream of becoming doctors to bridge the gap and make it happen.
“JAMP scholars from Texas Lutheran University are well-placed for success in the
medical field,” says TLU JAMP Faculty Director Dr. Michael Ruane. “They experience
direct hands-on learning from dedicated faculty in our biology and chemistry programs,
and our knowledge and relationships with those students provide the learning they need
to become the physicians of tomorrow.”
JAMP Scholars
JAMP scholars who meet the minimum qualifications are guaranteed admission into a
medical school in Texas that participates in the JAMP Scholar Program.
To apply to become a JAMP Scholar, students must first be enrolled full time in a
participating Texas college or university. They also must maintain a 3.25 grade point
average in science and math classes through their undergrad years. JAMP scholars
must earn a composite 502 on the MCAT with a minimum score of 124 in the four-
subject area of the MCAT.
Joint Admission Medical Program ( JAMP)
Application Criteria
- Entrance to an institution of higher education must be not later than the first fall semester following graduation from high school or a home-schooled program. Exceptions to this criterion may be granted on a case-by-case base for unusual circumstances such as individuals who enter the armed services immediately upon graduation from high school.
- Be enrolled full-time at a participating university at the time of application to the program.
- Must have completed two semesters of Organic Chemistry (with associated labs) prior to the Fall semester immediately after the first summer program internship.
- Applicant must be 18 years of age, or older, at the time of entry into the program.
- Applicant must have the ability to participate in two summer internships provided by JAMP.
- A 3.25 grade point average overall and 3.25 grade point average in Biology-Chemistry-Physics-Math (BCPM) courses is recommended; preference will be given to those achieving higher scores. Grades from all courses completed before final selection meeting will be considered.
- Please note that the JAMP Entry Year 2027 (EY27) Application will include an updated GPA eligibility requirement:
- A 3.4 overall GPA is required to apply.
- The 3.25 BCPM GPA remains unchanged.
- Non-academic, personal factors such as motivation, maturity, integrity, interpersonal communication, service to others and a demonstrated commitment to study medicine.
- SAT or ACT scores are not required to apply to JAMP as of Entry Year 2024.
- Be a Texas resident for purposes of tuition under Subchapter B, Chapter 54 of the Texas Education Code.
- Be an American citizen or permanent US resident alien.
- Provide documentation and history as an economically disadvantaged applicant. The definition of economically disadvantaged is financial eligibility for Pell grant or an SAI Range -1500 to 7000 or Pell Eligible, calculated from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA).
- Meet requirements to be employed as a medical resident including but not limited to, being authorized to work in the United States, passing criminal history checks and complying with immunization requirements.
- Must be able to perform a medical school’s essential functions (either with or without reasonable accommodations) required to complete the generalist medical school curriculum.
More Information on the application process for JAMP can be found here: Program Criteria and Guidelines
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Participation on JAMP (Undergraduate)
Attend the student’s home undergraduate school on a fulltime basis. A student’s “home undergraduate school” is the general academic teaching institution or the private or independent institution of higher education that the student was enrolled in at the time of admission into the JAMP.
For Entry Year 2026, maintain a minimum cumulative and a Biology-Chemistry-Physics-Math (BCPM) GPA of 3.25.
- Please note that the JAMP Entry Year 2027 (EY27) Application will include an updated GPA eligibility requirement:
- A 3.4 overall GPA is required to apply.
- The 3.25 BCPM GPA remains unchanged.
Must have completed two semesters of Organic Chemistry (with associated labs) prior to the Fall semester immediately after the first summer program internship.
Take courses that lead to a particular degree with enough semester hours to graduate in four years unless a longer course of study is pre-approved by the JAMP Council. With the exception of credit earned prior to the student’s initial enrollment in the home undergraduate school, all Medical School prerequisite courses must be taken at the student’s home undergraduate school and must be passed with a grade of “C” or better.
Fully participate in MCAT preparation during Junior year as prescribed by the JAMP Council.
Take the Medical College Admission Test as directed by the JAMP Council.
Successfully complete the summer internships after each year (sophomore and junior) of undergraduate study (two total).
Receive satisfactory evaluations by faculty overseeing summer internships at each Medical School.
Meet with the JAMP Faculty Director at home undergraduate school at least once per month during the academic year.
Provide updated transcripts of all undergraduate courses and grades each semester to the home undergraduate school JAMP Faculty Director and JAMP Council.
Remain in good standing at all undergraduate schools in which the student enrolls. This includes complying with the school’s student code of conduct.
Exhibit intelligence, integrity, and personal and emotional characteristics that are considered necessary for the student to become an effective physician.
Participate in surveys and evaluations related to JAMP.
Maintain requirements to be employed as a medical resident including but not limited to, being authorized to work in the United States, passing criminal history checks and complying with immunization requirements.
Must be able to perform a medical school’s essential functions (either with or without reasonable accommodations) required to complete the generalist medical school curriculum.
- Please note that the JAMP Entry Year 2027 (EY27) Application will include an updated GPA eligibility requirement:
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Participation as a JAMP Alternate
What Does it Mean to be an Alternate?
JAMP alternates are matched to a participating medical school for an undergraduate mentoring program and receive other related counseling activities as provided by your home undergraduate school.
Remain in good standing at the student’s home institution until selected to enter the program or the beginning of student’s senior year. A student’s “home undergraduate school” is the general academic teaching institution or the private or independent institution of higher education that the student was enrolled in at the time of admission as an alternate to the JAMP. This includes complying with the school’s student code of conduct.
Maintain a minimum cumulative and BCPM GPA of 3.25.
- Please note that the JAMP Entry Year 2027 (EY27) Application will include an updated GPA eligibility requirement:
- A 3.4 overall GPA is required to apply.
- The 3.25 BCPM GPA remains unchanged.
Take courses that lead to a particular degree with enough semester hours to graduate in four years unless a longer course of study is pre-approved by the JAMP Council. With the exception of credit earned prior to the student’s initial enrollment in the home undergraduate school, all Medical School prerequisite courses must be taken at the student’s home undergraduate school and must be passed with a grade of “C” or better.
Take the Medical College Admission Test no later than the spring of the junior year.
Participate in extracurricular and medically related activities, demonstrate leadership, and perform community service.
Submit an evaluation signed by the JAMP Faculty Director and one other faculty member regarding the student’s continued designation as a JAMP alternate by May 1 of each year.
Meet with the JAMP Faculty Director at home undergraduate school at least once per month during the academic year.
Provide updated transcripts of all undergraduate courses and grades each semester to the home undergraduate school JAMP Faculty Director and JAMP Council.
Exhibit intelligence, integrity, and personal and emotional characteristics that are considered necessary for the student to become an effective physician.
Participate in surveys and evaluations related to JAMP.
- Please note that the JAMP Entry Year 2027 (EY27) Application will include an updated GPA eligibility requirement:
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Matriculation into Medical School as a JAMP Student
Complete the following prescribed coursework:
- four semesters of Biology (two at which must include lab experiences)
- two semesters of General Chemistry (with labs)
- two semesters of Organic Chemistry (with labs)
- two semesters of Physics (with labs)
- two semesters of English
- one semester of Statistics*
- one semester of Biochemistry**
*The Statistics course should be taught in a Math or Statistics Department or a TMDSAS Approved Statistics Course. Click here to view the TMDSAS Approved Statistics Course List.
**The Biochemistry must be a course that is applied toward a baccalaureate degree in any traditional science field. Cannot be an introductory course. The course may be taught in the Biology, Biochemistry, or Chemistry department.
All prerequisites must be passed with at least a “C” grade. With the exception of credit earned prior to the student’s initial enrollment in the home undergraduate school, all Medical School pre-requisite courses must be taken at the home institution.
Receive satisfactory evaluations through interviews and summer internships.
Receive satisfactory evaluations of additional factors including integrity and personal and emotional characteristics that are considered necessary for the student to become an effective physician.
Complete a bachelor’s degree as a full time (four year usual time frame) undergraduate student.
Maintain a minimum overall and BCPM GPA of 3.25 to qualify for acceptance into Medical School. Students who do not meet the minimum GPA and MCAT requirements may be considered by the JAMP Council on an individual basis for admission into medical school through the JAMP match.
- Please note that the JAMP Entry Year 2027 (EY27) Application will include an updated GPA eligibility requirement:
- A 3.4 overall GPA is required to apply.
- The 3.25 BCPM GPA remains unchanged.
Participate in interviews at medical schools as directed by the JAMP Council.
Participate in a pre-matriculation internship, if required by the medical school to which the student will matriculate.
JAMP participants must take the MCAT prior to the established deadline set by the JAMP Council. Participants who fail to meet this requirement may be dismissed from the program.
For more details regarding the medical school education requirements prescribed by TMDSAS, please click here.
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Participation in JAMP (Medical Student)
- Students must remain in good academic standing as defined by their medical school
Probation and Dismissal
A student admitted to the program who fails to meet the above academic or conduct standards may be:
- placed on probation with appropriate counseling and academic assistance required, or
- terminated from the program at the end of the semester during which the student failed to meet the requirements.
A student's participation in the program is automatically terminated if the student fails to meet the above requirements for two consecutive semesters without good cause as determined by the JAMP Council.
Semester is defined to also include the JAMP summer internship program.
For purposes of probation and dismissal, compliance with academic standards will be evaluated at the end of the fall and spring semesters only. Evaluation will begin with the spring semester of the sophomore year.
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Program Processes
The following processes were amended and approved by the JAMP Council on August 18, 2011.
Process for JAMP Students to Attain Summer Internships
Students will be assigned to the Medical Schools for the summer internship programs through a lottery system. JAMP students must complete two consecutive summers at a minimum of two medical schools.
Process at Undergraduate Schools
Each undergraduate school will appoint a JAMP Faculty Director who will convene a committee to oversee all aspects of the JAMP program at that institution and coordinate all interaction with JAMP Council and the Application Center.
Process for JAMP Students to Matriculate at a Medical School
Students who do not meet these requirements will be considered for an interview by the JAMP Council on an individual basis. The entire record will be reviewed in this case.
Students continuing to meet all requirements of JAMP will submit a Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) medical school application during the summer II internship or no later than the established deadline of their junior year.
The medical schools will offer an interview to all qualified JAMP students. The Council has established the following qualifications to be considered for an interview:
have a minimum overall and BCPM GPA of 3.25
- Please note that the JAMP Entry Year 2027 (EY27) Application will include an updated GPA eligibility requirement:
- A 3.4 overall GPA is required to apply.
- The 3.25 BCPM GPA remains unchanged.
attain a minimum total MCAT score of 502
- continue to meet all requirements of JAMP
All students interviewed may not automatically be placed into the JAMP match. Following interviews, the JAMP Council will meet to select the participants eligible for the JAMP Match. Students approved will be notified of their eligibility by the JAMP office.
The interviews will occur within the regular TMDSAS interview schedule but will be completed by the established deadline.
All students selected to participate in the JAMP match will submit a list ranking the medical schools in the order of their preference.
Each medical school will submit a list ranking the students for acceptance.
The students will be matched to one of the interviewing medical schools based on those rankings.
The medical schools to which the students are matched will determine if a summer pre-matriculation program is required.
- Please note that the JAMP Entry Year 2027 (EY27) Application will include an updated GPA eligibility requirement:
Contact Dr. Michael Ruane for any questions:
