Programs for Undergraduate Students
The following programs are offered for undergraduate students:
Programs
Latino Health Science Enrichment Program (LaHSEP)
LaHSEP 3 & LaHSEP 3 Transfer is a six-week summer academic enrichment program for incoming first-year undergraduate students or City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) for their 3rd year of undergraduate schooling. It is FREE of charge. The program provides participants the opportunity to prepare to start/transition into UIC in the fall. Students will be taking pre-health workshops, engage in research, develop English, Chemistry (freshman), organic/biochemistry (transfer), and math skills (calculus & biostatistics for transfer students). Additionally, LaHSEP allows participants to learn about the student resources at UIC, resulting in a smoother transition to college. This program is for first-year undergraduate students or City Colleges of Chicago transfer students who plan to attend UIC in the fall and who have a genuine interest in medicine or the health sciences. LaHSEP will be held in person.
In addition to being exposed to college-level courses, participants will meet guest speakers in health careers, and former LaHSEP participants who are now medical students, meet other students in the program with similar goals, and go on field trips to explore healthcare careers.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- December 2, 2024: Application opens online
- June 6, 2025: Deadline for receipt of online applications and one (1) letter of recommendation
- June 11, 2025: Selection and notification of participants
- June 13, 2025: Orientation for participants in person (parents are welcome to attend)
- June 16, 2025: First day of LaHSEP
- July 25, 2025: Last day of LaHSEP
- LaHSEP Track 3 will meet Monday through Friday beginning on June 16, 2025 and ending on July 25, 2025.
Program Requirements – Incoming Freshman
- Must be an incoming first-year undergraduate (Freshman) in Fall 2025
- Have a genuine interest in medicine or the health sciences
- Must have been accepted and attending UIC in the fall
- Submit a copy of your Accepting Offer –upload a copy on your online application
- Complete UIC Placement exams & place into college level English 160 and Math 121 or above and be registered for first year orientation.
- Submit online LaHSEP application, personal statement, and a signed letter of recommendation
- A letter of recommendation must be on the high school’s letterhead and signed by the recommender
- Email letter of recommendation to Paulina Guzman at lahsep@uic.edu
Program Requirements – Transfer Students
- Must be a City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) transferring junior or senior undergraduate in Fall 2024
- Have a genuine interest in medicine or the health sciences
- Must have been accepted and attending UIC in the fall as a full time student
- Submit a copy of your Accepting Offer –upload a copy on your online application
- Complete the UIC placement exams
- Submit online LaHSEP application, personal statement, and a signed letter of recommendation
- Email letter of recommendation to Paulina Guzman at lahsep@uic.edu
LaHSEP Meeting Times
- All students selected for LaHSEP are expected to participate for the entire six weeks, Monday – Friday.
- Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Friday from 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Participants will receive a $2,000 stipend upon successful completion of the program.
Program Duration: June 16, 2025 – July 25, 2025
Application Deadline: June 6, 2025
How to apply
- For full consideration please apply once application becomes available in December, create an account. Complete the application for LaHSEP before the deadline. Make sure to submit ALL information and required documentation.
- LaHSEP for incoming first-year undergraduates, freshmen, or for transferring City Colleges of Chicago admitted to UIC for fall 2025
Program Advancing Research for Equity (PARE)
PARE is a research initiative to provide highly talented and motivated junior and senior undergraduate Latinos with a rich experience in healthcare and biomedical research. This intensive 10-week summer research program aims to improve the quality of healthcare by providing students with practical knowledge of research studies and its importance in the healthcare field. Students will be paid a stipend for their participation. Application in now closed.
PARE Requirements
- Complete all sections of the application
- Provide a copy of official school transcripts
- Provide one letter of recommendation from an instructor (eg. Faculty professor or advisor). Have the recommender send the signed letter via email to raulv@uic.edu
- Complete two essays located at the end of the application, submitted as a separate document.
- Provide a resume or CV
- We will formally interview finalists only
- Application deadline April 15, 2025
PARE Eligibility & Responsibilities
- Be a resident of the state of Illinois
- Must have rising sophomore, junior or senior with a pre-medical educational goal at an accredited college/university
- Be in good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA on 4.0 pt. scale)
- Must make a commitment to all ten weeks of the program
- Must attend program orientation, weekly research seminars, and complete exit interview
- Develop and present a scientific presentation and paper
- Work (research) Monday-Friday 30hrs/week
Program Dates: June 02, 2025 – August 8, 2025
Contact information:
Raul Vasquez, MEd
Assistant Director
raulv@uic.edu
Medicina Scholars Program
The Medicina Scholars program is designed to introduce undergraduate Latino scholars to the health professions with an emphasis in the medical profession. The three-year curriculum gives Latino undergraduate a strong basis to succeed and become competitive applicants for admissions to medical school.
Thirty students are admitted to the program each fall. Each group participates in a series of professional and medical development seminars designed to expand a student’s familiarity with the health field.
The curriculum provides a strong foundation in delivering language-concordant care and exposing students to medical terminology in Spanish through Temas de Salud, professional issues, public health policy, health disparities, cultural competence, primary and specialized care, and medical school admissions. Additionally, Medicina Scholars take part in academic advising, community projects, and leadership development.
As part of the Medicina Scholars program, doctors, nurses, and other health professionals who were once a Medicina Scholar are invited to present on their journey to medical school and provide key advice to our current scholars.
Students who participate in this program have a track record of successful careers in the medical field. They stay focused on their course of study as undergrads and attend some of the top medical colleges in the United States.
Eligibility Requirements
- Student must be freshman or sophomore standing at an accredited college/university. Applicants will demonstrate a genuine interest and drive in becoming a physician.
- Conversational Spanish
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (A=4.0) from an accredited college or High School
- Minimum 21 ACT Composite or 1060-1090 SAT Composite (incoming freshman only)
- Submit all supporting documentation by July 21, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.
- Supporting documents consist of the following:
- One (1) letter of recommendation: email to medicinascholars@uic.edu
- Official transcripts: email to medicinascholars@uic.edu
- Personal statement: upload to your online application
Key Dates and Deadlines
- April 9, 2025: Application opens online
- July 21, 2025: Deadline to submit your online application and supporting documents by 11:59 p.m.
- August 4 – August 15, 2025: Invited to interview for a seat in Medicina Scholars
- August 18, 2025: Notifications of acceptance emailed
- September 13, 2025: Orientation for Medicina Scholars Cohort 2025
- October 11, 2025- May 9, 2026: Monthly Medicina Scholars Seminars
The Medicina Scholars Program is open to undergraduate students pursuing a medical degree and study in the Chicago area.
If you have any questions about Medicina Scholars, contact Paulina Guzman at 312-996-4493 or by e-mail at medicinascholars@uic.edu.