Undergraduate Student Opportunities & Resources

UC San Diego Undergraduate MSTP SURF Program

This program provides motivated undergraduate students from underrepresented in health sciences groups who are interested in future training in a combined MD/PhD program or academic medicine career an opportunity to lead an 8-week research project with a biomedical science faculty, clinical shadowing, among other opportunities.

2020 Radiology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow

Selina Montoya
Junior at the University of New Mexico, Class of 2021
Biochemistry Major with a Minor in Population Health
Project title: Screening Hispanic/Latino Patients for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease using Butterfly iQ Point-of-Care Ultrasound

UC San Diego PATHways to STEM (PATHS) Program
The PATHways to STEM (PATHS) through Enhanced Access and Mentorship Program aims to "mitigate historically evident barriers and establish an infrastructure of resources, communications, and professional development within UC San Diego and in the surrounding community." This program provides enhanced access to support, mentorship, and academic preparation to STEM students from underserved communities.

UC San Diego Summer Training Academy for Research Success (STARS) Program
This is an 8-week summer research program for college students, masters students, and recent graduates which offers a rigorous research opportunity with esteemed UC San Diego faculty, graduate school preparation workshops, and educational, cultural, and social activities.

UC San Diego Program for Underrepresented Medical Applicants (PUMA)
This is a free program that is "structured to give [underrepresented medical school applicants] Admissions Committee backed information on the entire application process, advice from current medical students, MCAT tutoring, and dedicated personal statement review."

UC San Diego Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
SACNAS is a "society of scientists dedicated to fostering the success of Hispanic/Chicanos and Native American scientists-from college students to professionals-to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in science."

Triton Firsts
A comprehensive initiative to connect first-generation professors, lecturers, researchers, staff, graduate students, and alumni at UC San Diego to inspiring first-generation students to excel during their undergraduate journeys.

National Opportunities

Summer Health Professions Education Program
A "free summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions" and founded in response to declines of medical school applicants from racial and ethnic backgrounds. This program now includes "students representing a range of economic, cultural and geographic diversity" and a "range of health professions."

Medical Minority Applicant Registry (Med-MAR)

AAMC Summer Programs Database

Clark University Underrepresented and International Applicants Resources/Additional Links