Summer heaLth profession educatiON program (UTSD)
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
SHPEP is a free summer program for students who want to explore their interests in medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, public health, and more. It is aimed to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for successful application and matriculation to health professions schools. This 6 week program takes place in 11 different schools around the U.S. This provides students with an exposure to both the clinical and educational aspects of health programs while also helping them expand their professional network. More about the different institutions can be found under “host school.”
PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
“SHPEP’s goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools."
PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION
Location: UTHealth Houston
7500 Cambridge St, Houston, TX 77054
Start Date: June 2, 2025
End Date: July 12th, 2025
(Dates may vary every year)
Time: 8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon-Fri.
PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
- 2.5 Minimum Overall GPA
- Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have deferred action for children arrivals (DACA)
Other Factors of Consideration
- Comes from an economically or educationally disadvantaged background
- Has demonstrated an interest in issues affecting underserved populations
- Submit a compelling personal statement and a strong letter of reccomendation
HOW MANY STUDENTS GET ACCEPTED?
Approximately 80 students get accepted into the UT Health program, but applicants can apply to up to 3 locations.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Application Opens: November 1
Application Closes: February 5
Notification: March 15
Response to offer: Within 48 hours of notification.
Waitlist offered?: Waitlist is offered.
RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS
Dress Code: Students are expected to maintain a professional personal appearance at all times. Scrubs are required in order to participate in the Clinical Observation and Simulation Lab sessions for nursing, medicine, and dentistry participants. You MUST wear tennis shoes that are CLEAN and covering the entire foot.
Do not wear: Shorts, Mini-skirts, Open-toed shoes, Tank tops, Capri pants, Muscle shirts, Halter tops, Baseball caps, Jeans, Tennis shoes (unless wearing scrubs).
Accepted scholars are required to bring a statistics friendly calculator for the Statistics course. Texas Instruments 83+ or 84.
Examples: TI-83 Plus, TI-84 Plus Silver Edition, Guide for TI-83, TI-83 plus, or TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator.
Housing: Students will reside in the Rice University Dormitory rooms. They are on the Rice University campus and are about 3 blocks from the UTHealth McGovern Medical School. Each student will be assigned a twin bed/mattress, closet, desk, and desk chair.
Finances: Student stipends of $1000.00 will be distributed in three installments during weeks 2, 4, and 6. The dollar amounts of each stipend will be calculated according to the total number of days of the program/number of days in each pay period.
Travel: Travel assistance will be provided. (UTHealth ID Badges are REQUIRED to board the shuttles). Transportation (Travel to the Dorm at Rice University) Cost: $23-$60 depending on type of transportation.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Not Applicable; Program is primarily for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those with DACA status.
OTHER HOST SCHOOLS & LOCATIONS
Columbia University (NY, New York)
Howard University (Washington, DC)
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Newark, NJ)
University of Louisville (Louisville, KY)
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Houston, Texas)
University of Washington (Seattle, Washington)
University of Nebraska (Omaha, Nebraska)
University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)
University of California, Los Angeles & Charles R. Drew University (Los Angeles, CA)
University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL)
Western University of Health Sciences (Pomona, CA)
More information can be found at https://dentistry.uth.edu/students/docs/shpep-ourprogram.pdf
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SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM (SODSURP)
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The School of Dentistry Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SODSURP) is a 10-week, 40 hours a week research program for undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in dentistry. Participants are paired with faculty scientists to conduct dental research, gaining intensive hands-on laboratory experience. The program also includes weekly seminars on cutting-edge biomedical and dental research topics, as well as guidance on applying to dental school. Students are paired with researchers and clinicians at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston to conduct hands-on dental and biomedical research. At the end of the program, students will submit a short abstract summarizing their research project.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of SODSURP is to provide students with research experience in oral health, enhancing their understanding and preparation for future careers in dentistry. By engaging in hands-on research, the program aims to help students develop technical skills and real-world experiences. Additionally, the weekly seminars on a wide range of oral health topics are designed to help students explore different career paths in dentistry. Ultimately, this program aims to prepare the next generation of dental professionals and researchers.
PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION
Orientation: May 27
Research: May 28 - July 31 (Mon. - Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) May vary every year.
Holiday: June 19, July 4
Location: UT Health Houston
7500 Cambridge Street, Houston, TX 77054
PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
- Currently enrolled undergraduate student in any accredited U.S. college/university.
- At least 18 years old.
- Must NOT have graduated at the time the program begins.
- Freshmen can apply but must have 12 hours of science credit by March 1 (11:59 p.m. CST).
- Permanent Residents and International Students
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Application Period: February 1 – March 1 (11:59 pm CST). Applications can only be submitted during this timeframe.
Supporting Documents Deadline: All supporting documents, including letters of reference and transcripts, must be submitted online by March 1 (11:59 pm CST).
RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS
- Applicants must be college sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university during the current academic year. Freshmen with at least 12 hours of science credit by March 1 are also eligible.
- Students must commit to a 40-hour work week in the research lab for the entire 10-week duration.
- Submission of official transcripts,
- Two letters of reference,
- Personal statement
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
- Currently enrolled in any accredited U.S. University.
- Valid Social Security Number and Card
- Passport
- I-94
- I-20 from the International Advisor at your University (Call 713-500-3176 for more information.)
NOTE FOR APPLICATION PROCESS
- The application cannot be saved once it has been started. Applicants should prepare their personal statements and gather necessary documents before beginning.
- The referees must submit them directly via email, prompted by the system. Letters can be from professors, employers, or volunteer supervisors.
More information can be found at https://med.uth.edu/oep/summer-research-program/school-of-dentistry/
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A&M COLLEGIATE ii PROGRAM
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
SPEP Collegiate II is a six week program that provides the opportunity to pre-dental students to become a more competitive applicant for the application to dental school. The structure consists of five courses designed to improve the student’s knowledge base for taking the DAT and to help them prepare for professional school. Students will also be part of workshops such as pre-admissions counseling, clinical rotations, students/faculty interactions, and much more.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
- Prepare for and confidently take the DAT
- Strengthen academic science background
- Learn new study patterns for professional study
- Increase competitiveness for admission to dental school
- Enhance success once in dental school
PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION
When: May 19,2025 - June 27, 2025 (May vary every year)
Where: Texas A&M University College of Dentistry
3302 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX 75246
PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Have at least 60 semester hours of college (8 hrs biology, 8 hrs general chemistry, and 8 hrs organic chemistry)
- Provide official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Have a GPA of at least 2.75 or higher
- Submit the application and one-page essay stating how this program will benefit the applicant
- Submit one letter of recommendation from a Pre-Health advisor or two letters from science professors
- Complete a phone interview with program staff
- Sign a contract, agreeing to participate in all required program activities
- Demonstrate strong potential of working with underserved populations
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Start Date: May 19, 2025
End Date: June 27, 2025
Application Period: January 31, 2025
Notification Date: No later than March 10, 2025
Dates may vary every year.
RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS
- Travel & transportation
- Parking expenses (to, from, and during the program)
- Immunization fees
- Food
HOW MANY STUDENTS GET ACCEPTED?
SELECTION PROCESS
- The program will interview up to 50 applicants by phone to determine acceptance.
- Currently enrolled in a four year college/university
- Have earned a Bachelor's degree
- A minimum of 16 hours of volunteer/observation in a dental setting. (i.e. office, clinic, dental school, etc)
More information can be found at https://dentistry.tamu.edu/student-development/spep-programs/collegiate-2.html
Shaneka Marks, DDS
Director, SPEP Collegiate II
Mrs. Janie Villarreal
Administrative Coordinator
Phone: (214) 828-8385
Email: jmvillarreal@tamu.edu
Texas A&M College of Dentistry
Office of Student Development
3302 Gaston Avenue, Room 365
Dallas, Texas 75246
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LEARNING ENHANCEMENT FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN DENTISTRY PROGRAM (LEAD)
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Learning Enhancement for Achievement in Dentistry (LEAD) is a 3-week summer pre-dental enrichment program for college students offered by the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. The program offers DAT preparation, academic courses, admission counseling, workshops, shadowing, tutoring, leadership development, a $1000 stipend, and hands-on activities in order to provide opportunities and help strengthen students for admission to dental school.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION
When:
July 7-11 (one week online)
July 14-25 (two weeks in person)
Dates may vary every year.
Where:
UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, TX 78229
210-567-7000
APPLICIANT REQUIREMENTS
- Have selected Dentistry as your career choice
- Have a strong interest in working with underserved individuals
- Have a Science GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Write a personal statement
- Provide a headshot photo
- Provide official transcripts
- Provide two recommendation letters from faculty or health advisors
- Must sign an online application documentation agreeing to participate in all program activities
- Provide up-to-date immunizations
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Start Date: July 7
End Date: July 25
Application Deadline: March 1
Notification Date: Mid-late March
Dates may vary every year.
EGILIBILITY
- Must complete Freshmen year by the time LEAD begins in July
- A member of an underrepresented minority in the health field (Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or other Pacific Islander)
- Must be a Texas resident, US citizen, or permanent resident
SELECTION PROCESS
- The program will interview up to 50 applicants by phone to determine acceptance.
- Currently enrolled in a four year college/university
- Have earned a Bachelor's degree
More information can be found at https://dental.uthscsa.edu/LEAD/
Tips when applying LEAD application
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