UNDERGRADUATE PRE-HEALTH PROGRAM
The Undergraduate Pre-Health Program (UPP) is dedicated to supporting students who have persevered through challenges in their academic and personal journeys. The program equips participants with the skills, resources, and experiences necessary to pursue careers in healthcare and research, while fostering their readiness for graduate and professional school success.
The Undergraduate Pre-health Program (UPP) provides a comprehensive two-year curriculum organized into two distinct tracks. Program offerings include academic workshops, professional training and certification sessions, community engagement projects, and facilitated discussions addressing the social determinants of health and contemporary health issues. Each cohort admits up to 15 undergraduate students who aspire to pursue advanced study in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, nursing, public health, M.D./Ph.D. programs, or other graduate and professional schools upon completion of their undergraduate education.
Orientation (Hybrid): The program kicks off with an orientation where members can meet with their cohort and UPP alumni. The focus of these days is to build community and become acclimated to the program's expectations and objectives.
Saturday Academies (Hybrid): The academies occur on one Saturday each month during the academic year. Distinguished University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus faculty, staff, students, and community partners facilitate workshops, seminars, and trainings. Academies are intended to broaden members' understanding of research, evaluation, current events, policies used in health promotion, disease prevention, health services, and eliminating health disparities. Additionally, sessions focused on CV/Resume and personal statement development, mock interviews, and navigating the graduate and professional school admissions process will be offered.
Services Learning (In-Person): The current first-year UPP cohort will coordinate and execute the one-week Middle School Pre-Collegiate program. More details to come.
Emergency Medicine Training: More details to come.
Career Exploration Week (In-Person): UPP members will be introduced to and learn about the School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, Public Health Program, Physician Assistant Program, Doctorate of Physical Therapy program, College of Nursing, Graduate School programs, and SKAGGS School of Pharmacy. UPP members will go through a series of training and certifications, including CPR and First Aid, HIPAA, and Environmental Health and Safety Training.
Summer Internship: The internship experience will begin and last between 6-8 weeks, placing each student in an area where members acquire hands-on learning experience that goes beyond shadowing.
Workshops are led by distinguished University of Colorado Faculty, staff, and students, as well as community physicians and partners. Sessions will consist of lectures and demonstrations.
| UPP Application |
The Undergraduate Pre-Health Program (UPP) application for the 2026-2027 cycle is OPEN. The application cycle runs from October 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025 The program begins with the Saturday Academy Series in Fall 2026 and includes summer intensives in 2026 and 2027. Interested students must commit to the full two-year program, running from Fall 2026 through the end of Summer 2028. Applications will be reviewed in January and February 2026 in the order in which they are received. Candidates selected to move forward will be notified in March 2026, and interviews will take place in late March through early April. Final admissions decisions will be released in May 2026. Our ideal candidate will be ready to apply to graduate or professional school after completing the second year of the program or later. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applicants who cannot commit to the full two-year duration. If you have questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with UPP staff. Apply Now |
| UPP Program Dates |
- Onboarding
- May
- Orientation
- August/September
- Saturday Academies Hybrid (monthly virtual & in-person session)
- September, October, November, February, March, and April
- Summer Intensive: In-Person (2 weeks in June, all-day sessions)
- Service: Middle School Program
- Career Exploration
- Emergency Medicine Training
- Saturday Academies Hybrid (monthly virtual & in-person session)
- September, October, November, February, March, and April
- Summer Intensive: In-Person & Paid
- Internship: Biomedical or Translational Research
- June & July
- Summer Closing
- July or August
- June & July
- Fellows receive resources for graduate entrance exam preparation (MCAT/GRE/PCAT etc)
- Continued Guidance from the Coordinator
- Assistance w/ connections to shadowing
- Invitation to join the Pathways Alumni Connection (PAC)