LCOE Aspiring Physicians Program (APP)

The LCOE Aspiring Physicians Program (APP) is a premedical support program for students who identify as UIM* at Fresno State, UC Merced, and San Francisco State.

The program is comprised of a six-week intensive summer program and an academic year of mentoring, advising, and professional development. Students must meet program requirements, apply, and be selected for the program, which provides a summer stipend of $3000. No clinical observations will take place at any UCSF campus. The 2024 summer program will be hybrid with some in-person sessions at UCSF and UCSF Fresno. 

*UIM: Identify as one or more of the following race/ethnicity categories (alone or in combination with any other race/ethnicity category): American Indian or Alaska Native; Black or African American; Hispanic, Latino; or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. 

Summer Intensive Program

  • Introductory MCAT preparation with medical students
  • Introduction to Health Policy and Advocacy
  • Engagement with community-based organizations to create research-driven fact sheets
  • Interactions with medical students, residents, and faculty
  • Introduction to various medical specialties

Academic-year Activities

  • 1-on-1 mentorship with APP faculty leads
  • Joint campus webinars focused on medical school and other topics of interest 
  • Professional development workshop
  • Near-peer mentoring with UCSF medical students (LMSA)

Program Eligibility

  • I am a full-time undergraduate student at San Francisco State University, Fresno State, or UC Merced
  • I identify as UIM (Underrepresented in Medicine) of the following race/ethnicity categories (alone or in combination with any other race/ethnicity category): American Indian or Alaska Native; Black or African American; Hispanic, Latino; or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. 
  • I plan to apply to medical school
  • I can commit to a minimum of one academic year to the program. I understand this includes a six-week summer program
  • I have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or greater
  • I will have completed two semesters of General Biology and two semesters of General Chemistry (inorganic and/or organic) by the start of the program - June 2024
  • I have demonstrated leadership and/or commitment to a student organization that works to better an underserved community
  • I am a US Citizen, US Permanent Resident, or DACA recipient. (documentation will be required)

*Eligibility requirements are dictated by Grant Funding

Program Locations

Fresno State/UC Merced

The UCSF LCOE Aspiring Physicians Program (APP) at Fresno State/UC Merced begins with a six-week intensive summer program where students participate in medical school preparatory activities. Learn more about APP at Fresno State/UC Merced.

For questions, contact the Program Coordinator: Yoselin G Castillo ([email protected])

San Francisco State University

The UCSF LCOE Aspiring Physicians Program (APP) at San Francisco State begins with a six-week intensive summer program where students participate in medical school preparatory activities. Learn more about APP at SFSU.

For questions, contact the Program Coordinator for SFSU students: Madison Rodriguez ([email protected])

Pre-Med Course Recommendations

Information and resources coming soon.