Houston Premedical Academy
The Houston Premedical Academy (HPA) is a partnership between the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions (DHSHP), the Honors College at the University of Houston (UH) and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). It is a special undergraduate program at UH for DHSHP graduates interested in becoming physicians. Through an academically rich and supportive environment, the HPA program enables students to make their career choices and medical school selection at the same time. Since the HPA began in 1996, 233 DHSHP students have entered the program and 144 UH program graduates have matriculated into medical school. To date, 118 HPA graduates have earned their MD degrees, 110 at BCM. There are currently 23 students enrolled at UH and 22 at BCM.
Up to 6 graduating DHSHP students are selected to attend the HPA each year. These students receive provisional acceptance to BCM and are required to complete all baccalaureate degree requirements of UH Honors College and meet other criteria (outlined below) before being accepted by BCM. The entire program lasts eight years, from entrance into the HPA at UH through graduation from BCM.
Applicants to the HPA must complete four applications: 1) the UH Admission Application, 2) the UH Honors College Application, 3) the HPA Application and 4) the Free Application Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) – the University of Houston Federal School Code is 003652). HPA applicants must be admitted to UH and the UH Honors College, prior to review by BCM. Applicants selected for the HPA, through the BCM medical school admissions process are allowed to major in any of the undergraduate degree programs offered by UH. However, they must complete the Honors College University Honors curriculum requirements as well as minor in the Medicine & Society offered by the Honors College.