How to Apply

Undergraduate students who have completed fewer than 60 credit hours of undergraduate study at the time they submit their application are eligible to apply to SHPEP. If you have completed 60 or more credit hours, you might consider applying for the Summer Undergraduate Research Program.

The national program office encourages all interested students who meet other eligibility criteria to apply.

In previous years we have received over 400 applications. An applicant can pick up to three schools and three health profession focus areas to which to apply. UNMC SHPEP has 80 available positions (40 pre-med, 20 pre-dental, 10 pre-nursing, 10 pharmacy).

Your letter of reference should come from a pre-health professions advisor, a college professor, or from a health professions employer who can speak to your academic strengths and personal character. Occasionally students submit letters from high school advisors or teachers. Be prepared to provide your reference with a current resume, and explain your reason for why you would be an excellent SHPEP Scholar. Always ask if your reference would be willing to provide you with a positive letter of recommendation.

We want to learn more about you and your passion for pursuing a health professions career. Remember, good writing is rewriting. Be sure to spend quality time on your essay and paint a complete picture of who you are. Let other people read your personal statement and give you feedback. Don't be afraid of rewriting your personal statement, good writing takes several attempts and revisions. Consider seeking support from your college or university writing center staff.

Yes, you can bring your car, but you will need to commute to class and other functions together with your peers. For instance, on weekdays scholars will be taking public transit to main campus. For special events SHPEP at UNMC will provide bus transportation. Scholars who bring cars will be provided with a summer parking permit. All scholars will have access to the entire Omaha Metro bus system free of charge with their UNMC ID  badge throughout their time in the program. The Omaha Metro Transit system helps scholars reach many popular area destinations. For more information please visit ometro.com.

We do require you stay in the dorms throughout the duration of the program. Scholars stay in the Scott Crossing residence hall on the campus of the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO). Scott Crossing is UNO's newest residence hall located at the heart of Scott Campus.

The majority of UNMC SHPEP activities are scheduled Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. are dedicated to academic enrichment, special projects and workshops. Activities in the evenings and on weekends include journal clubs, community talks and discussion groups, and field trips.

No. SHPEP is an intense program with required events in the evenings and on the weekends. You will not be able to keep up with a job or with taking other classes. One-hundred percent of your focus needs to be on SHPEP when you are here.

No. Unless you have a medical or family emergency, you will need to be here for the entire six weeks.

Yes. If you travel from more than 40 miles (80 miles round trip) away from Omaha, we provide up to $500 for travel expenses (mileage reimbursement/air fare).

Yes, certainly. Currently, we travel to states within our region set by the national office (NE, ND, SD, CO, KS, and MO), but if you are outside this region and still want someone to speak to your group, we can arrange for a Zoom call/Webinar for you.

A limited number of funds are available to assist scholars in need of financial assistance. Students are required to obtain health insurance for the duration of their time in the program. A short-term student health insurance policy can be purchased through UNMC. The cost averages approximately $250 a month. For more information please visit https://www.uhcsr.com/school-page.

Students must be U.S. citizens, granted permanent residency, or have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Yes. Scholars have access to the Health & Kinesiology Wellness Center on the UNO campus. This state of the art facility provides an Aquatics Center with an indoor Olympic-size pool and spa pool. The Fitness and Wellness Center includes a weight room and cardio machines; spinning rooms; an elevated jogging track; and a golf, fencing, and archery lab.

SHPEP does not have an exam preparatory component. However, the program's basic science curriculum covers content that is included on most entrance exams. Please review our UNMC SHPEP summary document for more information!