Medical Education Resources
Initiative for Teens
Baltimore, Maryland
Leadership@MERITBaltimore.org
www.MERITBaltimore.org
Class of 2018 MERIT Scholar Application
Congratulations on your decision to apply to MERIT! By reading this document, you are already taking the steps you need
to become a health care professional. You should be proud of your accomplishments and continue working hard to
achieve your goals! We are excited to learn more about you in this application so please take your time when responding
to the answers. We recommend you work on this application multiple times until you are 100% satisfied with all of your
answers.
What is MERIT?
The Medical Education Resources Initiative for Teens (MERIT) is a non-profit organization that partners with local
universities and hospitals to transform Baltimore City high school students into Baltimore’s health care leaders. We
provide three levels of support for three years including weekly Saturday sessions, paid summer internships working in
hospitals and laboratories, and mentoring. Our Saturday curriculum provides Scholars with professional development
opportunities including sessions focused on leadership skills, health inequalities, SAT prep, college admissions,
financial aid guidance, and more!
Scholar Responsibilities
Becoming a MERIT Scholar is a BIG commitment. Scholars must attend Saturday sessions every week during the school
year from January 2016 through May 2018, and be willing to complete paid summer internships in 2016 and 2017. We
expect Scholars to represent their schools, families, and MERIT well in all their interactions; therefore, unprofessional
behaviors are not tolerated. MERIT Scholars also receive homework assignments and are expected to work together as
they make Baltimore a healthier city.
Eligibility
Because MERIT is a three-year program, only current sophomores graduating in 2018 can apply. MERIT Scholars must
live within Baltimore City limits and attend a Baltimore City Public School. In addition, MERIT Scholars
must meet one or both of the following criteria:
 Be eligible to receive free or reduced meals at school (during the 2014-2015 school year)
 Be among the first generation in his/her family to attend college
Application Process
Phase 1: Online Application (this packet)
We suggest that you type your answers in this document, but if you are not able to save your work on a computer, we will
accept hand-written responses. When you have finalized your responses (typed or hand-written), please email it to
Leadership@meritbaltimore.org with the subject, “Scholar Application 2015”
PRIORITY DEADLINE: Friday, October 30th, 2015 at 11:59 p.m.
FINAL DEADLINE: Friday, November 13th, 2015 at 11:59 p.m.
Phase 2: Medical Leadership Course (a three-week, in-person tryout)
SAVE THE DATES! If you are selected to participate in the second phase of the application process, you must attend the
MERIT Medical Leadership Course. You will be required to attend three tryout Saturday sessions. All sessions occur on
Saturday’s either from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. You must attend ALL THREE SESSIONS to be
considered for a spot in MERIT, so please make arrangements as soon as possible. The required sessions are:
**November 21, December 5, and December 12**
2
Section 1 – Demographic and Contact Information
Full Name
Name of Current High School
Current Grade
Expected Graduation Year
Gender Identity
Racial/Ethnic Identity
What is the highest level of education
your father has completed?
What is the highest level of education
your mother has completed?
Were you eligible to receive free or
reduced meals at school last year?
Date of Birth
Home Address
Home Phone Number
Cell Phone Number
Email
Parent/Guardian Name
Parent/Guardian Cell Phone Number
Parent/Guardian Email
How did you hear about MERIT?
Section 2 – Extracurricular Activities
*Please list the 2 extracurricular activities, projects, awards, or honors that you are most proud of. Tell us about your role
and what you have accomplished.
Activity Title
Description
Activity/Award #1:
Activity/Award #2:
*Please list the 2 most important interests, passions and/or hobbies you have. Tell us how often you practice your hobbies
and what you have achieved.
Interest, passion or
hobby #1:
Interest, passion or
hobby #2:
3
Section 3 – Academics
What is your
Weighted:
Un-weighted:
cumulative GPA?
Science Classes: List all your high school SCIENCE classes, including the current ones. List level as Regular, Honors or AP courses.
Course Title
Level (Regular, Honors, AP, IB) Final/Current Grade
Math Classes: List all your high school MATH classes, including the current ones. List them as Regular, Honors or AP courses.
Course Title
Have you ever received a failing grade in a class? If so,
please explain what led to that grade. Please note that a
copy of your transcript will be required for the second round of
selection.
Section 4 – Short Answers
MERIT is a program for students
interested in becoming health care
leaders. This includes students who
want to be doctors, nurses,
pharmacists, dentists, medical
researchers, and other health-related
careers. Please describe your
career goal and why that goal is
important to you. You may
include: what you want to do,
where you want to work, whom
you want to serve. Feel free to
share a personal experience you’ve had
that led to your decision to become a
health care professional.
Suggested Word Count: 250
Level (Regular, Honors, AP, IB)
Final/Current Grade
4
Becoming a health care leader will
require taking difficult science classes
throughout your academic career.
Describe your interest in science
and any specific topics or
concepts that you find
particularly interesting. Feel free
to draw from your experiences in
science classes, other science
programs, field trips, or your personal
life.
Suggested Word Count: 200
Becoming a health care provider is not
easy. It requires a lot of work!
Therefore, future health care leaders
must be willing to work hard, even
when they face obstacles. Please
describe a challenge you’ve faced
in life and how you overcame
that challenge. This can be related
to school, home life, family,
extracurricular activities, or anything
else.
Suggested Word Count: 200
Section 5 – References
Please include two references who MERIT staff can reach out to if we need to learn a little bit more about you to evaluate
your application. These may include teachers, counselors, school staff, coaches or supervisors from other academic
programs. Applicants who make it to the second round will be asked to get a letter of recommendation but that is not
necessary at this time.
First Name
Last Name
Relationship
Section 6 – Disclosure of Misconduct
Have you ever been charged with any crime or received a
criminal citation, regardless of the outcome?
If yes, please explain.
Phone
Email
Section 7 – Scholar Commitment
5
I have read the background information outlining a MERIT Scholar’s responsibilities, and have discussed this information and
the program requirements with my parent/guardian who is in support of my application. I confirm I am eligible to apply to
become a MERIT Scholar. I certify that all the information in this application is true and accurate. If I am selected to be a
MERIT Scholar, I commit to fulfilling all MERIT requirements as described above through May 2018, including attending
Saturday sessions every week, completing paid summer internships, and working with a mentor.
Electronically Sign by
Date:
Typing Your Name
Section 8 - Next Steps and Tryout Dates
You will receive confirmation of your application submission within one week of submission. By November 18th, you will
be notified if you have been selected to attend the Medical Leadership Course. At that time, we will ask applicants to
complete a parent/guardian letter of support, obtain a high school transcript, and have one recommendation letter
submitted on their behalf.
*Please save the THREE TRYOUT DATES in your calendar: November 21, December 5, and
December 12. You will be asked to come to either a morning (8:30-12:30) or afternoon (1:00-5:00)
session. If you have a conflict with any of those dates already, please explain below. We will do our
best to accommodate your needs, but cannot make any guarantees.
Thank you for applying to become a MERIT Scholar! We are excited you are
committed to making Baltimore a healthier place. Our city needs you to become a health
care provider and MERIT will help you achieve your goals!
PRIORITY DEADLINE: Friday, October 30th, 2015 at 11:59 p.m.
FINAL DEADLINE: Friday, November 13th, 2015 at 11:59 p.m.