Pathways of Opportunity
The process of eliminating health care disparities begins on many fronts, not the least of which is creating a robust pathway of opportunities for students to become tomorrow's health care leaders.
The Michigan Health Sciences Pre-College Exposure Academy is a free, hybrid program. SPEA is intended for highly motivated high school students in the 10th or 11th grade. Students gain exposure to University of Michigan healthcare professionals. The SPEA curriculum is aligned with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Core Competencies, which are fundamental to preparing students to be healthcare professionals. If you have questions regarding SPEA, please contact [email protected].
- Program Dates: Monday, July 7, 2025 to Friday, August 1, 2025
- Mondays-Thursdays: Virtual SAT prep course (10 am - 12 pm) and interactive professional development workshops (2 pm - 4 pm)
- Fridays, July 11, July 18, July 25, and August 1st: On-campus from 9 am - 5 pm
- Application Deadline: Friday, February 7, 2025 at 11:59 pm
- Application Link: https://umhs.smapply.io/
NOTE: Please register by creating your own username and password.
- US citizens or permanent residents
- In the 10th or 11th grade at the time of application submission
- Interest in medicine, biomedical research, or health equity
- A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Applicants from historically marginalized populations and/or underserved communities are encouraged to apply
- Exposure to the University of Michigan
- A study course with extensive SAT preparation
- Workshops in biomedical science, health equity, college preparedness, and academic wellbeing
- Mentoring from undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff
- Exposure to leadership and professional development training
The goal of SPEA is to develop future leaders in health science, diversifying and transforming the medical field. The first step in planning for the future is making sure you are ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
SPEA is an entry-level, academic enrichment program designed primarily for youth who have an interest in addressing health equity issues and come from populations underrepresented in medicine and medically under-served areas.
The Office for Health Equity and Inclusion (OHEI) is partnering with more than 35 Michigan Medicine departments to host the Youth Summit at the Big house on Saturday, May 20, 2023. This regional outreach event is aimed at engaging and exposing diverse middle school students from schools across southeast Michigan to Michigan Medicine health care teams, units and departments. The Youth Summit will provide opportunities for participants to engage with practitioners through hands-on simulations, personal connections, and curated resources in preparation for medical career paths.
- Free or reduced-lunch eligible
- Will be the first person in their immediate family to complete college
- Is a person with a disability
- Currently lives in a single-parent household
- Has experienced foster care
The Youth Summit at the Big House is an excellent opportunity to introduce budding middle school students to the vast opportunities in health care. Not only will they have an opportunity to visit the Big House, but we are offering collegiate-level exposure to the career fields within health care that are often unseen in mainstream career planning — especially for youth who are traditionally underrepresented in medicine.
