Faculty Mentor Program Emergency Medicine Research Associates Program (FMP EMRAP)

The recruitment, application, and onboarding process for accepted applicants occurs in the fall quarter.

The program runs the following winter and spring quarters.

The application for the 2024-2025 academic year will open in September 2024.

• Direct one-on-one patient interaction in the Emergency Department.
• Work closely with Emergency Department physicians and nurses on various clinical research projects. 
• Letters of recommendation for medical school or graduate studies.
• Independent student credit (199) through the School of Medicine. The program may not be taken for credit through the Department of Biological Sciences (BISP 199).

The difference between volunteering in the ER and participating in the FMP/EMRAP program is that you will receive academic credit, attend seminars, and work for 10 hours a week with the FMP. Regular ER volunteers work for 4 hours a week, receive no credit, and perform fewer research-focused activities. 

If you are interested in volunteering in the ER without participating in the FMP, please see DEM RA program website.

Winter Quarter:

• Mentor and project assignment
• 80 hours of ED RA shifts, 20 hours of independent research work (100 hours total!)
• Final outcome: Draft manuscript, literature review or research proposal (subject to project and mentor)

Spring Quarter:

• 80 hours of ED RA shifts, 20 hours of independent research work (100 hours total!)
• Final outcome: Final manuscript draft (subject to project and mentor)
• Present poster at the spring research symposium (may be in-person or virtual, attendance required)

Only move forward if you can make the time commitment.

Additional requirements and exclusions

• Students who are accepted into the program must be able to attend the mandatory UCSD Health Volunteer Services Orientation and complete training by winter break. Current volunteers in good standing do not need to attend.
• Please note that this program may not be taken for Biology independent study (BISP 199) credit; you will receive credit through the School of Medicine (EMED 199).
• Applicants should expect some degree of unpredictability when it comes to working in the ED during the pandemic. Students in the ED should expect to work for 10 hours a week, but if that changes, the program will continue remotely, through remote patient screening and enrollments for appropriate studies, as well as project work.

• Have a minimum GPA of 2.7 upon first quarter of participation in the FMP EMRAP.
• Be registered as a UC San Diego student while participating in the FMP.
• Have sophomore standing or above (45+ units).
• Be able to commit at least 10 hours a week to research-related activities, which may include weekend shifts during each quarter of participation.

International, visiting, and transfer students are all eligible as long as you fulfill the above requirements. 

There are 3 items required to apply to the FMP EMRAP:

1. Applications

• General Application and Undergraduate Application (When you finish the general application, you will be automatically directed to complete the undergraduate application).
• FMP EMRAP Application (After you finish the previous two applications, you will given the opportunity to choose to complete the EMRAP application.)

2. Short-answer essays (as part of the EMRAP Application):

• Please write your cover letter to the Emergency Medicine selection committee below. The cover letter and supplemental questions will be used to assess applicants so please provide complete and thoughtful responses. (400 words max)
• Briefly explain why you are interested in the Faculty Mentor Program (FMP) and how participating will help you achieve your educational and career goals. (350 words max)
• How comfortable are you talking to new people in person or on the phone?
• Why are you applying to the FMP Emergency Medicine Research Associates Program? (300 words max)
• Do you have any clinical research experience (not a program requirement)? If so, please describe. Also describe any skills or personal strengths that you think would make you a good researcher.
• Do you have any experience with patients in a clinical setting (not a program requirement)? If so, please describe.
• What research topics interest you the most? What about them interests you? What type of research would you like to conduct (for example, research done in the library, clinical research, research done in a wet lab or in the field)? (300 words max)
• Please identify any coursework/classes you have completed that are relevant to your research interests. (300 words max)
• Is there any additional information about you that you would like a potential mentor to know? (200 words max)

3. Copies of transcripts

• If you are an incoming transfer student (You do not have a UC San Diego GPA):
  • A copy of your unofficial transcript(s) from previous school(s) (community colleges, other universities, etc.)
• If you have attended UC San Diego for at least 1 quarter:
  • A copy of your unofficial UC San Diego transcript - (How to download your transcript)
  • If you completed coursework prior to attending UC San Diego (e.g., transfer credits), they will appear on your UC San Diego transcript. You do not need to upload a transcript from your previous school.