CAMP 2018 participants with mentors Ashley Hite and Emeka Okafor, MS4s
2018 CAMP participants with mentors Ashley Hite, MD '19 and Emeka Okafor, MD '19

Resources

Summer Pathway Programs

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is home to a variety of pathway programs that prepare and inspire talented high school and college students to pursue careers in medicine and in health-related research.

Program Outcomes
PSOMER and CAMP participants have gone on to attend medical school at institutions such as: Baylor University, Emory University, Indiana University, Loyola University, Meharry Medical College, The University of Chicago, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Miami, University of Pennsylvania, Wright State University.

Program Contacts
Nikeela Davis, Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Administrator

We are currently planning to have CAMP and PSOMER in person for summer 2024. Please note that this is subject to change based on guidance of the IL Department of Public Health and the advice of our own UCM experts in epidemiology and infectious diseases.

 

Chicago Academic Medicine Program (CAMP) is an eight-week research, education, and mentoring experience for students who are rising juniors and seniors in college. Students participate in either basic science or clinical research projects during the program, which concludes with a research presentation forum.

Eligibility and Prerequisites
Applicants must be US citizens or have Permanent Resident status. The program seeks students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or who represent groups that are known to be underrepresented in health-related sciences and medicine.
Ideal candidates should -

  1. Be a rising junior or senior
  2. Have successfully completed a collegiate-level biology, chemistry, and/or physics course;
  3. Have exposure to clinical or basic research in the sciences;
  4. Have a firm interest in medicine and healthcare; and
  5. Be in excellent academic standing at their home institution

Program Structure
Students will create mentor relationships with faculty, clinical lab staff, and medical school administrators; be engaged during weekly cluster group meetings; hone and improve research and presentation skills; and receive pre-medical advising and MCAT preparation.

Program Dates

  • Program dates: Monday, June 10, 2024 - Monday, August 5, 2024
  • Application dates: Monday, November 20, 2023 – Monday, January 29, 2024 

Program Information

  • Location: Hyde Park campus in Chicago, IL
  • Academic credit: Not provided.
  • Daily transportation: We will provide a Ventra card with $100 credit on the first day of the program to access CTA. The University provides free daytime shuttle service around the campus areas and portions of the neighboring communities. To ride shuttles, all passengers must present their UChicago Medical Center ID.  
  • Health Insurance: Not provided. Students must submit proof of health insurance for participation.
  • Stipend: Students who successfully matriculate and complete the program will receive a total stipend of $3,200.
  • Housing: Housing is not provided for CAMP. Participants will need to reside locally in Chicago during the program. Please keep in mind our program is in person every day and your address should be a commutable distance from our Hyde Park campus. Students are expected to secure their own housing and should report their summer address to the program administrator.

To apply to CAMP, follow the steps below

Complete applications include the following - 

  • CAMP Application 2023-2024
  • Recommendation letters from faculty and mentors. After you complete the online application, you will be required to have at least two (2) and no more than three (3) individuals familiar with your interest in medicine or clinical research to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
    • All letters must be on official school/organization letterhead and submitted to Nikki Davis (noliver2@bsd.uchicago.edu) by the application deadline. 
  • Official transcripts may be requested and should be sent directly by your institution.
  • Housing is not provided for CAMP. Participants will need to reside locally in Chicago during the program. Please keep in mind our program is in person every day and your address should be a commutable distance from our Hyde Park campus. Students are expected to secure their own housing and should report their summer address to the program administrator. As a result, you must disclose your local address and contacts within your completed application.

Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in Research (PSOMER) is an eight-week residential research, education, and mentoring experience at the University of Chicago. Participants in the program are rising college juniors or seniors. 

Eligibility and Prerequisites
Applicants must be US citizens or have Permanent Resident status. The program seeks students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or who represent groups that are known to be underrepresented in health related sciences and medicine. Due to the nature of the NIH grant that supports PSOMER, participants cannot be appointed to another NIH training award (such as a T32 or an individual F series fellowship) or supported by a federal research grant during the program period. Unfortunately, students with F1 student visa status are not eligible for PSOMER. 

Ideal candidates should -

  1. Be a rising junior or senior
  2. Have successfully completed intermediate- or advanced-level biology, chemistry, and/or physics courses;
  3. Have exposure to clinical or basic research in the sciences;
  4. Have a firm interest in medicine and healthcare; and
  5. Be in excellent academic standing at their home institution

Program Structure
Students will participate in either basic science laboratories or clinical research projects throughout the duration of the program.  The program concludes with a mandatory research presentation forum at the end of the summer. Weekly cluster groups will support the laboratory research work of each participant. These groups will explore medical and research ethics, health care disparities, statistics and research tools. Students will also receive mentorship and guidance from Pritzker Medical School students and staff. This includes advising sessions with Pritzker admissions officers and social events with Pritzker and University of Chicago summer research program students.
Participants will live on campus at the University of Chicago for the 8 week experience in order to foster the same sense of community and cooperative learning that exists among our medical school students. Participants will not be permitted to work part-time jobs, take any additional classes during the program, or be involved in any formal or informal MCAT or application preparation process for medical school during the program. There will be considerable lab work to conduct and out-of-lab/classwork to prepare.

Program Dates

  • Application Deadline: Monday, January 29, 2024. Survey will close at 11:59 PM.
  • Program Dates: Monday, June 10, 2024 - Monday, August 5, 2024

Program Information

  • Location: Hyde Park campus in Chicago, IL
  • Academic credit: Not provided.
  • Housing: Housing will be provided.
  • Health Insurance: Will be provided for PSOMER students.
  • Stipend: Students who successfully matriculate and complete the program will receive a total stipend of $3,200. 

To apply to PSOMER, follow the steps below

Complete applications include the following - 

  • PSOMER Application 2023-24
  • Recommendation letters from faculty and mentors. After you complete the online application, you will be required to have at least two (2) and no more than three (3) individuals familiar with your interest in medicine or clinical research to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
    • All letters must be on official school/organization letterhead and submitted to Nikki Davis (noliver2@bsd.uchicago.edu) by the application deadline. 
  • Official transcripts may be requested and should be sent directly by your institution.

Other Programs at The University of Chicago