UNDERGRADUATE PRE-HEALTH PROGRAM
| Overview |
The 2025-2026 UPP cycle will launch its first cohort with multi-year programming, including academic workshops, training, certification, community projects, and cultural discussions on health disparities and equity. Each cohort consists of 15 - 20 underrepresented undergraduate students aiming for careers in research, medical, dental, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, nursing, public health, graduate, M.D./Ph.D., or other professional schools. |
The Undergraduate Pre-Health Program (UPP) is committed to helping increase the number of individuals within healthcare and research professions who have overcome challenges in their lives and prepares participants to enter their chosen professional or graduate school.
UPP offers two years of programming, including academic workshops, training and certification sessions, community projects, and cultural discussions addressing health disparities, health equity, and community topics. Each cohort comprises 15-20 underrepresented undergraduate students looking to attend medical, dental, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, nursing, public health, graduate, M.D./Ph.D., or other professional schools post-graduation.
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 Medince 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 2025-2026 cycle is open from October 15, 2024, to February 1, 2025. This inaugural multi-cycle program begins with the Saturday Academy Series in Fall 2025 and includes summer intensives in 2026 and 2027. Interested students must commit to the full two-year program, running from Fall 2025 through the end of summer 2027. Applications will be reviewed in February 2025, followed by interviews in April. Our ideal candidate will be prepared to apply to graduate or professional school after completing the second year or later. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applicants who are unable to commit to the two-year duration. UPP Application
If you have questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with UPP staff. |
| 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: CU Pre-Health Scholars
- 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)