additional opportunities

The Carver College of Medicine (CCOM) has designed a free virtual MCAT program to assist SHPEP Iowa alumni with test preparation.  

Starting January 2024, this 16-week program is designed for students who plan to take the MCAT Spring/Summer 2024. Led by current medical students from Carver College of Medicine, this program will provide you mentorship throughout your MCAT studying. Unlike most traditional MCAT courses, this program will NOT be a review of all the necessary content, nor will it guarantee a certain score. 

Instead, the program's components will be divided into large group and small group sessions. Weekly, large group sessions (1.5hrs/week) will focus on key test-taking strategies for the various sections of the MCAT. Small group sessions (1hr/week), led by current CCOM medical students, will be where you can review content and discuss questions.  In addition to the weekly small group time, you will also have one-on-one time with your tutor (30min). This component is meant to provide you with more individualized feedback and mentorship as you are prepping for the MCAT. Course material/content will come from various third-party MCAT sources and will mostly be taught in a self-paced format.

Below are the prerequisites for the course: 

 

  • 2 semesters of introductory biology 

  • 2 semesters of general chemistry 

  • 2 semesters of organic chemistry 

  • At least 1 semester of physics  

  • At least 1 semester of psychology/sociology 

 

By participating in this program, you are expected to attend all large-group and small-group sessions for best results. You will be permitted to miss no more than 4 large-group sessions. Failure to comply with the course attendance policy will result in consequences and may result in restricted resources. 

If you have any questions, please contact medicine-diversity@uiowa.edu

In this program, participants will spend the summer learning more about health-related research. They will also spend most of the summer working with a mentor on a project. 

This summer program will take place at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA. To participate, you will need to be able to be in Iowa City for Summer 2024 and to find housing.  Participants will receive payment for participating ($5600 minus any required taxes) and a $1000 summer housing allowance.  

Any undergraduate student is eligible to apply. Preference will be given to students who have completed the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP). The minimum GPA is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. You do not need to be a science major. 

Applications are due Feb 29, 2024. We will let you know if you were selected to participate in March. Those selected will be sent a list of potential mentors and will have the chance to talk with these mentors before receiving a placement. 

If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Thrams at jamie-thrams@uiowa.edu or Donna Santillan at donna-santillan@uiowa.edu

 

More information can be found at: BEST Research Summer Training Program | Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (uiowa.edu)

Program Features 

  • May 20, 2024–July 26, 2024
  • 10-week research project conducted in the laboratory of a faculty member in the biomedical sciences (including basic, translational, population health, and engineering sciences)
  • Weekly seminar series: a forum for discussions emphasizing how science and medicine intersect
  • Case-based learning exercises: discussion of mechanisms underlying disease process
  • Clinical skills learning sessions: concept application from case-based learning and skills practice that will be useful in medical school
  • “Tales of Career Development”: Informal lunchtime conversations with MD and MD/PhD physician scientists and PhD faculty engaged in medically-relevant research
  • Career development seminars (including applying to an MD/PhD program, personal and research statement writing)
  • One-on-one physician scientist advising and shadowing experiences (2 to 4 times during the 10-week period, COVID-19 restrictions-permitting)
  • Social and mentoring activities with MD/PhD students
  • Opportunity to present a poster at the Summer Undergraduate Research Conference with other undergraduates on campus (usually the last Wednesday in July)

 

Support

  • $4,150 for the 10-week period
  • Lodging in a University housing facility (double occupancy)
  • Travel allowance for transportation to/from Iowa City

 

Application Requirements

Previous research experience of at least one summer rotation or a semester of work in a laboratory. Labs for bioscience or other courses do not meet this requirement.

  • A completed online application form 
  • Descriptions of up to three research experiences (downloadable template above) 
  • A Curriculum Vitae
  • Transcript(s) from undergraduate institution(s)
    • Unofficial ones you can easily pdf are preferable
  • Two letters of recommendation
    • At least one letter must come from your primary research mentor.
    • The second letter should come from someone who has worked with you personally or academically (course instructors, academic advisors, or previous employers, volunteer supervisors, etc).

 

Eligibility

  • Be a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States
  • Be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior (your earliest anticipated graduation should not be before December 2023)
  • Major in a STEM field or premed
  • Prior research experience required (see above)
  • We welcome MARC U*STAR or U-RISE students looking for a summer away rotation

 

More information can be found at: SUMR Program & Application | MSTP (uiowa.edu)

Learn about dentistry and become a stronger dental school applicant by applying to the Iowa American Student Dental Association's Summer Pre-Dental Academy.

This weekend long in-person event is designed for students thinking about dentistry and pre-dental students who are planning to apply for dental school. Learn about the career of dentistry and by participating in seminars and hands-on exercises.

This year, the event will be held on June 21-23. The application will open on March 1, 2024 and close on March 31, 2024. To apply for this event, please fill out the application.

Some activities students will have the potential to participate in are: 

  • Dental School Admissions presentation
  • Lectures given by dental faculty
  • 1 on 1 interactions with current dental students
  • Current student panel
  • Dental product samples
  • Writing your personal statement
  • DAT preparation 
  • Mock interviews 
  • Day in the life of a dental student
  • Waxing Activities
  • Fabricating Casts and Bleaching Trays

  • Simulation Clinic Activities

     

More information can be found at: Pre-Dental Academy | College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics - The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu)

The Graduate College’s Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) is an award-winning eight-week immersion program designed to provide underrepresented undergraduate students with in-depth research experiences. SROP is a gateway to graduate education in a Big Ten Academic Alliance Initiative at the University of Iowa. 

Students receive first-hand exposure to the graduate school experience at the University of Iowa and scholarly research by being paired with a faculty mentor whose work is closely related to their academic interests and career goals. Students will showcase their work at the UI Summer Undergraduate Research Conference, which is a culmination of their summer undergraduate research experiences.

Eligibility:

  • Enrolled in a degree-granting program at a college or university. Must not have completed undergraduate work and does not anticipate graduation the summer or following fall of the program. Preference is given to sophomore and junior students.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • Stated goal of a graduate degree and interest in a research career. The SROP program is not for students pursuing professional degrees such as law, professional health sciences, and MBA degrees. 
  • Willing to devote full time to the program during the eight-week session—not taking classes or gainfully employed.

Additional information on eligibility can be found on the Big Ten Academic Alliance website.

Applications for the 2024 program are accepted via the Big Ten Academic Alliance website until February 10, 2024.

The 2024 SROP dates are May 30 to July 26, 2024.

 

For more information visit: Summer Research Opportunities Program | Graduate College - The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu)

The Biomedical Scholars Summer Undergraduate Research Program allows scholars to pursue broad research interests in modern biomedical research. Scholars will gain laboratory research experience, participate in a seminar program designed especially for this program, and have the opportunity to join in informal social events. This unique program provides research opportunities in the laboratories of faculty who belong to the graduate programs in Free Radical and Radiation Biology, Genetics, Human Toxicology, Immunology, Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience. 

 

For more information visit: Biomedical Scholars Summer Undergraduate Research Program | Graduate College - The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu)

The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Microbiology at the Host-Pathogen Interface at The University of Iowa seeks to foster the careers of the next generation of microbiologists. We do this by providing an intensive 10-week research experience for bright and ambitious undergraduates who are considering a PhD in microbiology or an allied discipline. We plan to support 10 students in our REU in Summer 2024. Our application deadline is February 22, 2024. We hope that this experience will encourage students to pursue a career in basic science and give them the skills they need to succeed in that career path. The focus of the program is a hands-on research project conducted under the guidance of faculty and graduate student mentors. Students will also attend lectures to broaden their understanding of microbiology and educate them about graduate school and career options. 

 

Find more information at: Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Microbiology at the Host-Pathogen Interface | Department of Microbiology and Immunology (uiowa.edu)

The FUTURE in Biomedicine℠ program develops research and learning partnerships with professors from Iowa colleges that do not offer doctoral programs. Fostering Undergraduate Talent - Uniting Research and Education in Biomedicine: FUTURE opens University of Iowa laboratories to Iowa college professors and their undergraduates.

Through a competitive application process, Iowa college professors are invited to conduct a research project in the laboratory of a faculty member of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine during the summer. The selected FUTURE fellows receive a stipend. 

In addition, the program supports a talented undergraduate from the college professor's home institution to participate in the research project. Students receive dormitory lodging.

Through the FUTURE in Biomedicine℠ program, the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine is committed to

  • Fostering closer research collaborations between its faculty and those of primarily undergraduate institutions throughout the state of Iowa.
  • Mentoring talented undergraduates who will be our next generation of physicians and biomedical scientists.
  • Promoting opportunities to translate biomedical discoveries and methods into educational materials used in Iowa's college classrooms.
  • Making its research facilities available to a statewide network of scientist-educators.


Find more information at: FUTURE in Biomedicine | Carver College of Medicine (uiowa.edu)