The Med-Start Health Careers Program is a six-week summer academic enrichment program focused on improving competitive readiness for admissions into health professions programs for high school students. High school students reside at a University of Arizona residence halls and participate in the program during the summer (beginning of June through mid-July) after their junior year.
Med-Start, in collaboration with the Arizona Area Health Education Centers, helps high school students prepare for futures in the health professions by allowing them to explore career opportunities and complete college-level coursework in English, science and math. Students will gain opportunities to participate in professional lectures, health-related field trips and hands-on lab experiences while living on campus.
Med-Start was created in 1969 by Merlin K. "Monte" DuVal, MD, to introduce students to the importance of health care in rural areas and regions with a known shortage of health care professionals.
Program Offerings
- College-level English course (1 elective college credit)
- Introduction to college chemistry lab (1 college credit)
- Introduction to college math (1 college credit)
- Hands-on presentations and demonstrations
- Special lectures on health careers
- Dorm living on the University of Arizona campus, with meals at the U of A Student Union
- Tours of health care and research facilities
- Tours of Arizona universities
- College 101 (resume building, writing a strong personal statement, writing a strong university application, researching scholarships, life skills such as time management, financial literacy and study strategies)
Med-Start is a residential program. All participants are required to reside in a University of Arizona residence hall for the duration of the program under the supervision of counselors and staff members. Med-Start students must participate in all presentations, tours, travel, required classes, community service projects, and weekend scheduled events, and must complete all course assignments and research projects.
Applications for Med-Start are available from September through January. Applicants must submit completed applications and the supplemental forms listed below by February 1. Please download the provided forms to complete the application. Completed applications should be emailed to program manager Alma Aguirre at aaguirr1@arizona.edu.
Summer COUNSELING Opportunities FOR U of A Students
The Med-Start program is sponsored by the University of Arizona Health Sciences Office of Student Engagement and Career Advancement in partnership with the Arizona Area Health Education Centers. The program is a collaborative effort between the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, other departments at the University of Arizona, and other Arizona educational and health care organizations.