The Edwards Scholar Program

In June of 2009, the Joan C. Edwards Charitable Foundation launched an initiative to answer Mrs. Edwards’ final wishes that the remaining portion of the Edwards’ Estate be used to fund the education of medical students. To that end, the foundation has developed The Edwards Scholar Program at Case Western Reserve University and is working on expanding Mrs. Edwards’ vision into numerous communities in America.

The backbone of The Edwards Scholar Program is the pipeline of the Edwards Scholars selected from graduates of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District that represent each of 8 years of study required to obtain a medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Starting with the first Edwards Scholar selected in 2012, Nichelle Ruffin, the program will boast its first graduate from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in 2020. As an Edwards Scholar, the Joan C. Edwards Scholarship funds tuition, room, board and other expenses of attendance during the course of the recipient’s undergraduate career at Case Western Reserve University, as well as their four years at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

The Joan C. Edwards Scholarship was created to encourage a pipeline of talented students from the public school system into the robust medical community of Cleveland. Each year, one graduate of Cleveland Metropolitan School District has the opportunity to be selected as the Edwards Scholar. Defining qualities of the Edwards Scholar are a genuine passion for the medical field, a commitment to academics and a connection to the surrounding community. The scholarship award covers tuition, room, board and other expenses of attendance during the course of the recipient’s undergraduate career at Case Western Reserve University, as well as their four years at the Case School of Medicine.

The sought after qualities of the Edwards Scholar are:

Genuine passion for the medical field
Commitment to academics
Commitment to community service
Exhibited leadership
Participation in the Robbins Bridge Program

Creativity and general problem solving abilities
College readiness
Collaborative learning abilities
Maturity

Recommended coursework that a prospective Edwards Scholar should complete within their high school experience is as follows:

Math

8 semesters of credit including:
- Pre-calculus
- AP Calculus
- Science
8 semesters of credit including:
- Physics or AP Physics
- 2 Years of Chemistry including AP Chemistry
- Biology or AP Biology
- Minimum one year of AP Science

English

8 semesters of credit including:
- AP Language & Composition
- AP Literature & Composition

History/Social Studies

8 semesters of credit :
- AP/Honors courses are preferred

Language

6 semesters of credit: Spanish is preferred

Applying for the Joan C. Edwards Scholarship:

Must apply to Case Western Reserve University through the Early Action process.
Indicate an interest in pre-med where it asks for academic interests.

The Case Western Reserve University Office of Admission then selects finalists out of the students who are offered admission to CWRU. Students who are selected for an interview are notified of the interview with their offer of admission.
Interviews of selected finalists are completed toward the end of the year by a panel of representatives from each of the invested institutions.

The Role of Education in Science and Medicine

Empowering Future Generations Through Science and Medicine Education

Voices of Our Scholars

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We're tapping into our community as Edwards Scholars, and making a network for ourselves to pass down knowledge to help others in the community succeed.