ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION

Students are selected based on their academic and professional achievements, as well as their interest in healthcare professions. We primarily target students who have participated in one of the CU system’s Pre-Collegiate programs (CU Anschutz CUPS, CU Boulder, CU Colorado Springs, & CU Denver). Additionally, we encourage applications from first-generation college attendees, low-income or financially disadvantaged students, U.S. veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

• Ideal candidates include graduating high school seniors, first-year college students, or second-year college students who are on track to graduate within five years. Participants must commit to the two-year program, including one preparatory year before applying to professional school. Students with upperclassmen standing, such as juniors or above, will not be considered.
• A two-year program commitment is required, including fall and spring academic terms, as well as summer sessions (Year I: 2 weeks; Year II: 4–6 weeks).
  • Students are not permitted to hold part-time jobs or enroll in classes during the summer portion of the program. Exceptions for online classes may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
• Applicants must be full-time students, excluding summers, throughout the program participation. 

• Minimum Overall GPA of 3.0  
• Current Resume
• 3 essay prompts:
  • Why do you want to be in UPP? (Must be 250-300 words, do not exceed 300 words)
  • What aspect of the program is most appealing and why? (Must be 250-300 words, do not exceed 300 words)
  • What is your motivation for a career in healthcare and/or research? (Must be 250-300 words, do not exceed 300 words)
• Two (2) Recommenders to the program (Electronic Recommendation Form via the application; Letters of Rec are optional) 
• Submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended 
• Must complete application by January 15, 2027 (The application will open in early October 2026) 
• Virtual Interviews will be awarded based on application review and take place in late March & early April

The Undergraduate Pre-Health Program (UPP) application for the 2026-2027 cycle is OPEN. The application cycle will run from early October 2026 through January 15, 2027.

Applications will be reviewed in January and February in the order in which they are received. Candidates selected to move forward will be notified in March, and interviews will take place in late March through early April. Final admissions decisions will be released in May.

Our ideal candidate will be ready to apply to graduate or professional school after completing the second year of the program or later. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applicants who cannot commit to the full two-year duration.

For UPP questions, please get in touch with UPP Staff.

Applicants who are selected as finalists will be invited for an interview in March or April.

Financial compensation may be provided over the summer in the form of a stipend. The program offers scholarships for test preparation through Kaplan (i.e., MCAT, PCAT, DAT, GRE).  Additional funding may be available to support travel/participation in national professional conferences (SACNAS, NCORE, etc.).

The program is open to any student in any major interested in pursuing a career in healthcare and/or research.​

Applicants who have participated in a CU system Pre-Collegiate program, including CU Anschutz CUPS and programs at CU Boulder, CU Colorado Springs, and CU Denver, are encouraged to apply to UPP. Prior participation may be considered as part of an applicant’s overall experiences and preparation; however, it does not guarantee admission.

UPP is open to all eligible full-time undergraduate students at Colorado colleges or universities.  Applicants are evaluated through the same selection process based on their academic preparation, experiences, professional development, and demonstrated interest in healthcare and/or research careers.

UPP does not provide housing to participants. You will be required to find your accommodations for the summer portion of the program.

Students may work or take courses during the summer as long as those commitments do not interfere with their UPP summer experience and required program activities. Because summer experiences and schedules may vary, outside commitments are considered on a case-by-case basis. Students are encouraged to discuss potential scheduling conflicts with UPP staff in advance.