UNDERGRADUATE PRE-HEALTH PROGRAM
The Undergraduate Pre-Health Program (UPP) supports undergraduate students who have demonstrated resilience and perseverance in their academic and personal journeys. Through mentorship, experiential learning, professional development, and exposure to healthcare and research, UPP equips students with the skills, experiences, and confidence to pursue graduate and professional education and careers in health and science.
UPP is a selective, two-year developmental program for undergraduate students interested in healthcare, biomedical research, and related graduate or professional pathways. Each cohort includes up to 15 students, allowing for individualized support, meaningful mentorship, and a strong cohort experience.
Throughout the program, students explore health professions and research, develop professional and leadership skills, participate in hands-on learning experiences, and prepare for the next steps in their academic and professional journeys.
Throughout the program, students explore health professions and research, develop professional and leadership skills, participate in hands-on learning experiences, and prepare for the next steps in their academic and professional journeys.
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 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.
Service Learning (In-Person): The current first-year UPP cohort will help deliver a one-week Middle School Pre-Collegiate program. This hands-on service-learning experience will provide UPP students with opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, communication, and mentoring skills while introducing younger students to research and problem-solving by designing an adaptive device prototype for individuals with hand or finger differences.
Wilderness First Aid Training & Certification (In-Person): UPP students will participate in hands-on training focused on recognizing and responding to injuries and medical emergencies when immediate access to professional medical care may be limited. Through scenario-based learning and practical skill development, students will strengthen their emergency preparedness, critical thinking, teamwork, and confidence while earning a Wilderness First Aid certification.
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 4-6 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 will run from October 2026 through January 15, 2027. Students are selected based on their academic and professional achievements, as well as their interest in healthcare professions. We primarily target students who have participated in one of the CU System's Pre-Collegiate programs (CU Anschutz CUPS, CU Boulder, CU Colorado Springs, and CU Denver). Additionally, we encourage applications from first-generation college students, financially disadvantaged students, U.S. veterans, and individuals with disabilities. The program begins with the Saturday Academy Series in Fall 2027 and includes summer intensives in 2028 and 2029. Interested students must commit to the full two-year program, running from Fall 2027 through the end of July 2029. Applications will be reviewed in January and February in the order received. Candidates selected to move forward will be notified in March, and interviews will take place in late March through early April. Final admissions decisions will be released in May. Our ideal candidate will be ready to apply to graduate or professional school after completing the second year of the program. 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 Here |
| UPP Program Dates |
- Onboarding
- May-July
- Orientation
- August
- 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, with 2 overnight stays at Estes Park, YMCA)
- Service: Middle School Program
- Career Exploration
- Wilderness First Aid Training & Certification
- Saturday Academies Hybrid (monthly, virtual & in-person sessions)
- September (in-person), October (Pre-Health Day@CU Anschutz), November (in-person, simulation), February (virtual), and April (in-person)
- Summer Intensive: In-Person & Paid Internship
- June & July
- UPP students will participate in a 4-6 week summer internship experience tailored to their interests and professional goals. Experiences may include biomedical or translational research, clinical observation, and other exploratory opportunities that provide exposure to healthcare, research, and the day-to-day work of health professionals. Students will apply skills developed throughout UPP, build professional relationships, and gain firsthand experience to help inform their academic and career pathways.
- Program Completion & Presentation: Students will conclude the summer by reflecting on and presenting their internship experiences with the UPP community.
- Alums receive resources for graduate entrance exam preparation (MCAT/GRE/PCAT, etc)
- Continued Guidance from the Coordinator
- Connections to Clinical, Research & Career Exploration Opportunities
- Invitation to join the Pathways Alumni Connection (PAC)