How to Apply

Undergraduate, including community college 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. Advanced placement credits obtained in high school do not count against the 60 credit limit. Occasionally SHPEP at UNMC does consider applicants with a higher number of credits completed. These applicants sometimes are marked as waitlisted and get in when a seat becomes available.

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.

To get the most out of your SHPEP experience, we require scholars who come through our site to 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. Scholars with extenuating circumstances, such as childcare, have been granted special permission to commute to daily SHPEP activities. Participation in all scheduled activities is required. This includes social activities planned for weekends.

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. Based on feedback we have received we are currently realigning our schedule, rolling some of the evening activities into the daytime. This allows scholars who come through our site to visit the UNO Health and Wellness Center in the evenings, among other things.

SHPEP is a full-time commitment. You will not be able to keep up with a job or with taking other classes while with us. We expect that you participate in all scheduled activities to get the most out of your SHPEP experience.

No. Unless you have a medical or family emergency, we expect your full participation in our hybrid program (2 weeks virtual, 4 weeks in-person/on-site).

Yes. If you travel from more than 40 miles (80 miles round trip) away from Omaha, we provide reimbursement for travel expenses (mileage reimbursement/air fare) in accordance with University of Nebraska Travel Policies.

Yes, certainly. Currently, we travel to states within our region set by the national office (NE, ND, SD, CO, KS, and MO). We also offer virtual 1:1 meetings with prospective students, and webinar sessions.

At this time we are unable to invite visiting scholars to participate in our student health insurance program. 

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!