UCLA-wide Opportunities

UCLA/DREW Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)

The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is a free program for 1st and 2nd year educationally and economically disadvantaged undergraduate and community college students to explore their interests in medicine, dentistry, and nursing. Scholars participate in a six-week academic enrichment program where they develop competencies for becoming successful applicants to health profession programs, through specialized academic content, simulation activities, and mentorship. Our scholars become future leaders that will change the face of medicine, nursing, and dentistry and improve health care delivery, policy and research in underserved communities. 

UCLA Pre-medical Enrichment Program (PREP)

The Pre-Medical Enrichment Program (PREP) is a free, six-week intensive summer program for educationally and economically disadvantaged 3rd and 4th year students and recent college graduates that are interested in strengthening their readiness to study medicine. Scholars engage in personal and professional development to enhance their passion for medicine and develop a community of peers to support them along their journey.

UCLA Re-Application Program (RAP)

The UCLA Re-Application Program (RAP) is a 11-month post-baccalaureate program from September to August. RAP is designed to assist promising California residents from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds who were previously unsuccessful in gaining admissions to a U.S. Medical School.  Enrollment in RAP is free of cost and scholars will be provided a stipend, however, scholars are responsible for their own living expenses during the program, and any associated costs and fees for post baccalaureate courses as part of their individualized re-application plan. 

UCLA Health - Volunteer Services

UCLA Health volunteers are exceptional individuals who give back to their community. Over 3000 people volunteer monthly throughout 250 departments at UCLA Health. These men, women and teenagers donate their time and share their talents throughout our hospitals, research facilities and patient care areas, bringing a special personal touch to our patients and families.

UCLA Undergraduate Academic Advancement Program: HIGH AIMS

HIGH AIMS provides academic, career, and mentoring support to AAP students who are interested in gaining admission to health profession schools. It is also designed to provide them with effective strategies to be successful in gateway science courses. It is a cohort program that will admit and support students for two years. Students must be in their first or second undergraduate year. Students will be required to participate in internships, research, Saturday Career seminars, program meetings, community service activities and workshops. HIGH AIMS is administered by the Academic Advancement Program’s (AAP) Office of Graduate Mentoring and Research Programs.

Allied Healthcare Careers Programs

The UCLA Allied Healthcare Careers Program offers education on career pathways in the healthcare field to students across various high schools in Los Angeles County. This pipeline program teaches students about opportunities in healthcare that offer promising career growth in areas facing critical workforce shortages. Allied health professionals support physicians and nurses by playing supportive roles in prehospital care, service delivery, rehabilitation, and disease prevention. Recruiting these positions from our community aims to support our goals of building a robust future healthcare workforce.

Turner-UCLA Allied Health Internship

The Turner UCLA Allied Health Internship is implemented by the UCLA Community Engagement Program, in partnership with Bobby and Lauren Turner, to provide learning opportunities for high school students and recent graduates in finding out more about careers in the entry-level, allied health professions. The one-week-long, summer internship program is designed to address workforce shortages and offers career education for students with interest in exploring health disparities. For our students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare, we offer a range of shadowing opportunities from entry-level, clinical, and administrative positions. We want to highlight rewarding careers in healthcare that do not require traditional four-year college education or medical school. Our goal is to expose students to the many opportunities in healthcare, with hopes that students will be inspired to pursue some of our scholarship opportunities for the short-term allied health training profession.

Mattel Youth Ambassadors

The Mattel Youth Ambassadors are a dynamic group comprised of high school students ages 16-18 who support the Mattel Children’s Hospital and patient experience programs. You will gain valuable leadership skills while giving back to the community. Our Youth Ambassadors are ambitious and interested in improving the health and well-being of others, while learning about the healthcare environment, and medical career options. Meet fellow students who share your ambitions, and have fun along the way! This virtual program is comprised of regular meetings, virtual activities, and service to the hospital. There is a fundraising goal, art projects and participation in monthly meetings throughout the year.  Our dynamic meetings offer leadership skills, physician round table discussions to explore the medical field, and opportunities to expand knowledge of the healthcare environment.

UCLA Health - Volunteer Services

UCLA Health volunteers are exceptional individuals who give back to their community. Over 3000 people volunteer monthly throughout 250 departments at UCLA Health. These men, women and teenagers donate their time and share their talents throughout our hospitals, research facilities and patient care areas, bringing a special personal touch to our patients and families.