Program Description:

The Medical Admissions Preparatory Program is designed to assist pre-medical students with the means to strengthen their ability and readiness to study medicine. MAPP is open to everyone interested in applying to medical school, including those who grew up in or have a connection with a medically underserved community. There will be an Orientation session on Monday, June 8, 2026, from 11:00am to 3:00pm. MAPP sessions run for eight-weeks during the summer, from June 22, 2026, to August 10, 2026, on Monday’s from 12:00pm – 2:00pm. There will also be a graduation ceremony in the evening of Thursday, August 13, 2026. 

Students are competitively selected in the spring and are expected to attend weekly meetings with their cohort and staff advisors. Participation in this free program includes the Kaplan Online MCAT Prep Course; housing and transportation are not provided. Because enrollment is limited, accepting a spot indicates a commitment to consistent attendance. Frequent absences may limit access for other students. Students who miss two sessions will be required to meet with an OACC staff member to review participation and next steps.

Students applying should be committed to taking the MCAT and applying to medical school by Spring 2027.
 

 Program Components: 

• Kaplan MCAT preparation course
• Access to online Kaplan MCAT resources and practice test
• Study tips & test taking strategies
• Medical School Admissions Information
• Personal Statement writing workshop
• Interview skills training and mock interviews
• Advising meetings with staff
• Medical student mentoring
• Professional headshot photograph
• Clinical experience (clinical opportunities pending, not guaranteed)
• Community engagement activities

Kaplan Course

Included with the program is the Kaplan MCAT Prep Course which reviews all subjects pertaining to the Medical College Admission Test. Students receive all course materials and have supplemental instruction from a qualified tutor to augment the Kaplan Course, as well as a group study and access to test banks and practice exams.
 

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• College junior, senior, master’s student, or recent graduates of a bachelor's or master's program
• Commitment to full participation throughout the entire summer program.
• Attend and participate in scheduled in-person activities that take place at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine campus.
• Completed at least two years of undergraduate science or premed coursework.
• A GPA that meets the eligibility requirements for admission to the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine.
• Complete an Expectations Agreement

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed once complete, and all supporting documents must be submitted by the application deadline. Incomplete applications, or those submitted after the deadline, will not be considered. We collect demographic data only for the purpose of program evaluation. The demographic data is not shared with applications reviewers, and applicants are not required to answer the demographic questions.

Pre-Application Checklist

Please have the list of items below prior to beginning the application as they will need to be uploaded with the application along with the forms below. Do not submit materials separately. The list is provided in order to assist you in building a competitive application. 

• Essay describing how your background and experiences influenced your motivation for a career in medicine, and how participation in this program will support you in achieving your professional goals. (750 words)
• Two Professional references: One academic reference from a science faculty member who will attest to your interest and ability in science. One personal reference from a faculty member, counselor, employer, or community leader who knows you well and can describe your accomplishments and abilities. ​​​​​​At this stage, we only require the contact information for your references. We are not requesting letters at this time. We may reach out to your references later only if additional information is needed, so you may choose to let them know in advance.
• Unofficial copy of your college transcript(s)
• Current Resume/CV (optional)

You can preview all the application questions in a pdf document.

Deadline:

Applications must be received by March 13, 2026. Any questions, or if you would like additional information, please contact the Office Academic Culture and Community at somacc@hsc.utah.edu. Acceptance notifications will be sent no later than mid May 2026.

Any questions or if you would like additional information, please contact Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Office of Academic Culture and Community at somacc@hsc.utah.edu