Students at Desk

Health Science and Medical Career Pathway Programs For High School Students

Learners in our high school programs have the opportunity to engage in further experiences including physician shadowing, participate on a research team, or work with current medical students to learn about human body systems with an experiential approach.
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Browse Our Academic Year High School Programs

Programs are listed in order of term.
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Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program (Begins August)

Program Description:

The Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program offered by the MCW School of Pharmacy exposes high school students to pharmacy career opportunities. Beginning with a one-week boot camp on the MCW Milwaukee campus, students participate in informational sessions on inclusive leadership, how to write a college essay and innovation in pharmacy practice. They participate in engaging lab activities and tour MCW, Froedtert Hospital and Children’s Wisconsin.

Throughout the rest of the academic year, scholars meet quarterly for mentoring activities. Scholars are matched with two mentors — a pharmacist mentor and a pharmacy student mentor — who they will shadow at their practice site or in at community health screening events, respectively.

VISIT PRE-PHARMACY SCHOLARS SITE
APPLY
Career Path:
Pharmacy

Stipend?:
No

Eligibility:

  • The program is open to all Milwaukee-area high schoolers who are interested in learning about pharmacy career pathways.
  • Interested participants are required to apply and submit one of the following: a recommendation letter, transcript or a personal statement.
  • Scholars are required to attend a one-week boot camp in person on the MCW Milwaukee campus in August. There is no cost to attend, and transportation assistance is available.
  • Meals and snacks are provided.

Application:

  • Applications for the upcoming academic year open on March 1
  • Deadline to apply is May 31
  • Acceptance to the program is announced the first week of June
Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Application
Term:
Quarterly meetings (August, October, January, April)

Contact Information:
Hope Goes
Education Program Coordinator II
hgoes@mcw.edu

Students Understanding Principles of Research Education through Medicine, Engineering, and Science - SUPREMES (Begins September)

Program Description:
Students Understanding Principles of Research Education through Medicine, Engineering, and Science (SUPREMES)

Sponsored by the Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, the SUPREMES Program is an academic-year program that provides high school students with an educational experience in biomedical research, clinical research, and technology development in laboratories in the Greater Milwaukee Area.

The student will have the opportunity to:

  • Participate as an active member of a research team
  • Increase their scientific/health literacy and understanding
  • Learn about career opportunities in research and health professions
  • Conduct research; develop a manuscript, poster, and present findings on that research at the SUPREMES Symposium
  • Gain some research independence
  • Collaborate with science and health professionals to strengthen their reflective understanding of critical issues in basic science research
  • In some cases, students may be included as authors on scientific publication(s) depending on their dedication as well as value and quality of gathered data

View SUPREMES Program Site
SUPREMES APPLICATION

Career Path:
Research, Medicine, Engineering

Stipend?:
No

Eligibility:

  • High school students in Milwaukee area
  • Enrolled in 11th or 12th grade
  • 3.5 or higher Cumulative GPA
  • Successfully completed or currently enrolled in Biology, Chemistry, Algebra I & II, and two years of English/Composition

Application:

  • Application opens on February 1
  • Application due April 4

  • SUPREMES Application

    Term:

    Academic Year Program (September-May)

    Contact Information:
    Denise Perea
    dperea@mcw.edu
    SUPREMES@mcw.edu

    Student Enrichment Program for Underrepresented Professions - StEP-UP (Begins November)

    Program Description:
    Student Enrichment Program for Underrepresented Professions (StEP-UP)

    StEP-UP aims to provide exposure to a variety of health science careers to local high school students who are members of historically disadvantaged and underrepresented groups in the health science professions. Over a total of six Saturdays during the academic year, students participate in age-appropriate interactive sessions led by college pre-med students, MCW students, practicing physicians, and other health professionals.

    View StEP-UP Program Site
    High School StEP-UP Application
    Career Path:
    Health Science Careers, Medicine, Research

    Stipend?:
    No

    Eligibility:

    • Enrolled in 9th-12th grade in Milwaukee Public Schools, or charter/private school in Milwaukee or surrounding area
    • 2.8 or higher Cumulative GPA

    Application:

    • Application opens August 15
    • Application due September 30 
    High School StEP-UP Application

    Term:

    Academic Year Program (November-April)

    Contact Information:
    Zandra Clevert
    zclevert@mcw.edu
    stepup@mcw.edu

    Browse Our Summer High School Programs

    Programs are listed in order of term
    Emergency medicine medical student education electives
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    CTSI 500 Stars (Begins June)

    Program Description:
    500 Stars

    The CTSI 500 Stars Initiative is a ten-year, comprehensive, multi-institutional, and community-focused, education and workforce diversity plan, with the overarching objective of replenishing, while increasing diversity in the translational science workforce. Student family members are essential to career achievement and success; as such, the program also engages family members throughout the entire student experience.

    • Direct, hands-on, professional experiences in clinical and translational science settings at CTSI partner and collaborator sites, and community
    • Well- established regional partners to move the translational workforce along existing regional diversity pipelines.
    • Direct and supportive roles in the educational and workforce diversity pipeline
    View 500 Stars Program Site
    500 Stars Application

    Career Path:
    Multi-Institutional, Multi-Career Path

    Stipend?:
    Yes

    Eligibility:

    • High school, college, and graduate students in Milwaukee Metro area
    • 3.0 GPA

    Application:

    • Applications open November 1
    • Applications due February 1
    500 Stars Application
    Term:
    Program runs mid June through early August

    Contact Information:
    Dr. Dessie Levy
    dlevy@mcw.edu

    Lawrence Battle
    lbattle@mcw.edu
    Apprenticeship in Medicine - AIM (Begins June)

    Program Description:
    Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM)

    AIM provides carefully selected high school students who are members of historically disadvantaged and underrepresented groups in the health science professions the opportunity to stimulate their interest in careers in medicine, biomedical research-and allied health. AIM emphasizes academic preparation, achievement and career awareness.

    During your six weeks, you will have the opportunity to:

    • Benefit from a stimulating educational environment and mentoring by current medical students
    • Participate in weekly clinical shadowing and a variety of clinical hands-on simulations
    • Increase your knowledge about common, important medical problems impacting your community
    • Explore career opportunities with health professionals and specialists
    • Develop an abstract and deliver an oral presentation about a disease/condition of your choice

    View AIM Program Site

    AIM Application

    Career Path:
    Medicine, healthcare careers

    Stipend?:
    Yes 

    Eligibility:

    • 3.0 High School science and math GPA required
    • Must be at least 16 years old, rising junior, senior or June graduate
    • Attend high school in the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), Milwaukee charter school, Milwaukee area private school or surrounding suburban school district
    Application:
    • Open: November 1
    • Applications due March 1 every year
    • Interviews conducted during MPS spring break
    AIM Application
    Term:
    Program runs mid June through early August

    Contact Information:

    Crystal Jushka
    cjushka@mcw.edu
    studentdiversity@mcw.edu
    Research Opportunity for Academic Development in Science - ROADS (Begins mid-June)

    Program Highlights:
    ROADS is a program designed to provide meaningful research experience to high school students who are members of historically disadvantaged and underrepresented groups in the health science professions. Students will engage in laboratory setting and to stimulate their career interest in science, medicine and biomedical research.

    During your seven weeks, you will have the opportunity to:

    • Participate as an active member of a research team, develop an abstract and present findings
    • Increase your understanding of critical issues in basic science and clinical research
    • Improve your learning skills and increase your scientific knowledge

    VIEW ROADS PROGRAM SITE

    ROADS Application

    Career Path:
    Biomedical Research, Medicine

    Stipend?:

    Yes

    Eligibility:

    • 3.0 High School science and math GPA required
    • Must be at least 16 years old, rising junior, senior or June graduate
    • Attend high school in the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), Milwaukee charter school, Milwaukee area private school or surrounding suburban school district

    Application:

    • Opens: November 1
    • Closes: March 1
    • Interview during MPS Spring Break
    ROADS Application

    Term:
    Program runs mid June through early August

    Contact Information:
    Crystal Jushka
    cjushka@mcw.edu
    Studentdiversity@mcw.edu