David Evans has wanted to be a doctor since he was learning to read, write and do basic mathematics. Now he’s 18 and has mastered a foreign language, has crafted pending medical patents and excelled in such subjects as physics and chemistry, his dream of entering the field of medicine is within reach.  

Evans, who graduates this week from Hillcrest High School with a 4.0 grade point average, is one of just 12 students accepted this year into the prestigious Rice University/Baylor College of Medicine Medical Scholars Program.

What it means for Evans is that he immediately can start work on his studies at the medical school immediately after completing an undergraduate degree at Rice University. No applications needed. No MCAT necessary. As a result of his hard work in high school – which includes a score of 35 on the ACT – Evans has already been granted entrance to the top-ranked, Houston-based medical school.

According to Baylor’s admission office, selection to the Medical Scholars Program, which is designed for students who desire careers in medicine or biomedical science research, is based on several factors. The Admissions Committee considers academic performance, standardized test scores, faculty recommendations, interviews, motivation, and other attributes distinctive of high achievement.  Forty finalists are interviewed on campus by the admissions panel, and from that field, up to 15 are chosen for the Medical Scholars Program.

“I’ve definitely been really blessed and fortunate to have the options that I have,” says Evans, who has participated in the school’s International Baccalaureate program, is president of the Spanish Club, competed in the International Science Fair and also played on the tennis team, “but I’ve also lived the full high school experience.”

Click here to see a report on KUTV Channel 2.
Click here to read a feature story in the Salt Lake Tribune