Summer Health Professions Education Program - Western University of Health Sciences*

SHPEP is implemented at 12 universities across the nation. Each institution provides scholars with academic enrichment in the basic sciences and math, clinical experiences, career development activities, learning and study skills seminars, and a financial planning workshop. Program sites vary on how they deliver each of these required components and their program start date. Program types include dental, medicine, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy and public health.

The WesternU Summer Health Professions Education Program offers an innovative approach to academic enrichment in basic sciences through team-based learning. WesternU SHPEP is a rigorously inter-professional program offered in a diverse and vibrant urban environment. Student learning of foundational science, inter-professional teamwork, health disparities, and healthcare policy will be driven by weekly clinical cases.

Western University of Health Sciences is a comprehensive graduate health sciences university in the city of Pomona, 30 miles east of Los Angeles. In addition to the career pathways in Medicine, Dentistry, Physical Therapy and Optometry. SHPEP participants at WesternU with an interest in other health care professions will have the opportunity to participate in advanced experiences in Physician Assistant, Nursing (including Nurse Practitioner), Pharmacy, and Podiatric Medicine, as availabilities permit. Student accommodations and dining will be provided at partnering host college, Pitzer College, near WesternU.

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Location

Contact Information

SHPEP Website: Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) - Western University of Health Sciences
SHPEP Phone Number: 1-866-587-6337
SHPEP Email: shpep@aamc.org
SHPEP Western University of Health Sciences Website: Program Information

Funding Provided to Participants

Breakfast and dinner meals at Pitzer College
Stipend
Travel assistance
Housing at the Pitzer College

Requirements

Must be a high school graduate and currently enrolled as a freshman or sophomore in college. Must not have exceeded 60 earned college credits. Advanced Placement (AP) credits are not counted toward the 60 earned college credits.
Have a minimum overall college GPA of 2.5
Be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or an individual granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Must not have previously participated in the program
Online SHPEP application
Personal statement essay
Register for an AAMC account
One official transcript from every U.S., U.S. Territorial, or Canadian post secondary institution attended sent directly by the institution's registrar's office. Please review the Transcript Requirements section for more information.
One letter of recommendation from a qualified reference. Please review the Recommendation requirements section for more information
Health insurance

Other factors for consideration included that a student:

Identifies with a group that is racially underrepresented in the health professions
Comes from an economically or educationally disadvantaged background and/or
Has demonstrated an interest in issues affecting underserved populations
Submits a compelling personal statement and a strong letter of recommendation

Deadline to Apply

* For current information, refer to the program website listed on this page under "contact information."