Medical School

Scholars in Medicine is a selective three-year program for motivated students committed to a career in medicine. The program supports students who plan to apply "straight through" and attend medical school directly after graduating from the College. Scholars in Medicine offers a holistic curriculum of pre-health programming, including specialized advising, healthcare career treks, and funded summer experiences.

Students apply to Scholars in Medicine during fall quarter of their first year. Applications for the Class of 2030 will be due January 9, 2027.

Applications for 2026-2027 Clinical Service Fellows will open in September 2026!

This year-long program helps first-year students understand what it means to serve patients. Fellows complete 2-4 hours of clinical volunteering each week during the winter, spring, and summer quarters. Volunteer sites include hospitals, clinics, and community organizations, such as Howard Brown Health clinic, in Hyde Park and beyond.

Sponsored by the Karen Katen Fund for Science, the Katen Scholars Program supports first, second, and third year students interested in pursuing careers in health, medicine, and science. Scholars are awarded a $4,000 stipend to complete a summer research project at UChicago or with an external organization. Previous research experience is not required.

Application Timeline & Requirements

• The application for the Katen Scholars program becomes available each October and January through Handshake.

• Required application materials include:

  • Resume

  • 1-page cover letter

This eight-week summer research program awards 15 students a $4,000 stipend to investigate community health, social sciences, and the social context of health and medicine through projects that vary in nature, being based either in the UChicago hospital system or the broader Chicago community.

Application Timeline & Requirements

• Applications for research positions through the Careers in Healthcare Fellows program become available each October and January through Handshake.

  • An announcement from the CIH email newsletter will inform students of the application opening.

  • Students may apply to as many CIH Fellows internships as they are interested in.

• Required application materials include:

  • Resume

  • 1-page cover letter

  • Agreement Form signed by student applicant

Note: Additional required materials, as well as application deadlines, and notification timelines, are all at the discretion of the Principal Investigator for the individual opportunity to which a student applies.

Applications for Beyond the Clinic will open in September 2026!

This year-long program supports students as they explore careers for physicians outside of direct patient care. Each quarter, fellows explore a different general field, including non-patient-facing clinical careers such as pathology, radiology, and anesthesiology, global health careers, and healthcare innovation and administration.

The Med Student Mentors Program connects students and alumni applying to medical school with University of Chicago alums at medical schools across the country. Mentors share insights from their own experience and support and affirm your unique journey to medicine. Mentors are open to having conversation about all aspects of the pre-med experience from deciding if medicine is right for you to choosing among multiple offers of admission. To participate in the Med Student Mentors Program either as a mentor or mentee, please contact Caroline Wilky at cwilky@uchicago.edu.