SHPEP Applications are OPEN!

Current Freshmen and Sophomores, this one is for you. If you’re an Upperclassman, still read and share with a Freshman or Sophomore!

—

Earlier this year, I wrote a post about SHPEP. It was my second post ever on Melanin Mentor, MD. You can find it here. Unfortunately, by the time I wrote it, the application was due just a few days later so you may have not been able to apply. 

Well, I’ve marked my calendar so I can give you all more heads up this time and guess what…the application opens TODAY. 

Here’s a quick summary statement in case you don’t have time to read the whole post above or this post today: You need to do SHPEP. It’s amazing. 

That’s all. That’s the post. 

No, but really- SHPEP, which stands for Summer Health Professions Education Program, is a 6-week program for Freshman and Sophomore undergraduate students interested in a career in healthcare. It’s free (they actually give you a stipend!) and is a really good option for something you can do in the Summer that will help you to be a stronger applicant to medical school. I did it (it was called SMDEP then) at Howard University the Summer after my Sophomore year in college and had the best experience. I got the opportunity to meet some great students and professors, got clinical exposure, got some great advice about how to be a strong applicant to medical school, and…obviously, I got to kick it in DC for 6 weeks (and weekends!).

Big news as of recently is that, unlike last year, SHPEP will be IN PERSON this year! I’m sure it was fine virtually but I know it will be even better to get the experience of doing it in person. There’s something magical, in my opinion, about being in the same space with other students who have similar goals to your own. So not only are you getting this great experience, but you’re getting the opportunity to get away from college and/or home and go see another place. For me, getting to do it in DC was icing on the cake.

Here is a link to the website for information on this Summer’s program and sponsoring universities. This Summer, it will be offered at UAB, Columbia, Howard, Rutgers, Drew, Florida, Iowa, Louisville, Nebraska, UT Houston, Washington and Western. Participating at any site is fine, you’re going to get great experience wherever you go…but if you’re particularly interested in maybe attending medical school at a certain place and SHPEP is offered there, then it’s a good idea to try to apply to that one. 

Regardless of where and when you do it, keep SHPEP in mind as a great option for something you can do this Summer. If you (for some reason that is beyond me) decide not to, just make sure you are doing something meaningful and worthwhile during the Summer break! DON’T WASTE YOUR SUMMER BREAK!

Do you have any questions about SHPEP or thoughts of other things you will do this Summer? If so, feel free to comment below or send me a private email.