“I would not have imagined it, but by being in the program I have seen how achievable by dream is. I was 15 and put myself in a clinical setting and saw all different types of people. Even knowing I could be getting a certification shows me how achievable – while others see how impossible – it is. There are so many apsects I have never considered and thank to REACH, I see a wider view of the meidcal field and where I fit in.”
Amauri M., 2020 MedSTEM Summer Pathway Intern
In MedSTEM Pathways, you will:
Get ready for college with academic enrichment, guidance on coursework, financial aid and opportunities to develop college readiness skills like critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, time-management and self-motivation.
Develop your workplace skills through courses and training that help you learn fundamental healthcare skills, earn basic certification and strengthen work readiness.
Be part of a supportive learning community where you can step beyond the comfortable routines of the classroom and actively shape your education and your life.
Connect and network with health care providers, STEM professionals and alumni to learn about a range of jobs and how to succeed in your chosen college and career.
Earn industry-recognized credentials and employability skills aligned to labor market demand such as ECG Tech, certified nursing assistant, or IT specialist.
Program Information
In this paid internship program for rising high school juniors and seniors and recent graduates, students intern in a department of Rush University Medical Center or a partner organization related to the career they hope to pursue.
MedSTEM Pathways encompasses three sessions: summer, fall and spring. The summer session, the largest and most comprehensive, complements the internship experience with classes in college and career readiness, life skills and workplace skills. The fall and spring sessions, involving the internship experience only, are open to participants from the summer session.
Whether you’re interested in medicine, allied health, IT, finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, research or any other field, we’ll help you make the most of your time and make more informed decisions about college and career plans.
Spring Session
Program dates: January to March 2024
Prerequisite: Previous participation in the MedSTEM program
Spring interns will spend up to 12 hours per week gaining work-based learning experience in Rush University Medical Center departments such as diagnostics, clinical engineering, the emergency department, finance, research and more. Internship days and times vary depending on student and department availability.
Requirements
- Minimum 2.5 weighted GPA
- 80% Attendance Record
- Chicago Resident
Also Accepting:
- Undocumented/ DACA / Refugee Students
- Oak Park & River Forest Residents ( Zip Code 60302, 60303, and 60305)
How to apply
- Meet the minimum requirements
- Gather a résumé, a letter of recommendation and an unofficial high school transcript
- Click “Apply” to fill out and submit your application
- Must have COVID vaccine
- State ID or Passport
- Complete Secondary Application
We’ll post more information soon about how to apply for the next session; please check back often!
Summer Session
Program dates: June 17 to August 2, 2024
Summer interns engage in hands-on learning to strengthen communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials.
Interns spend up to 12 hours per week gaining work-based learning experience in designated Rush departments or partner organizations, plus 8-12 hours in classes related to certifications and /or their career interests. This combination of in-class and experiential learning helps interns strengthen college readiness and life skills. Interns must be present for the entire program.
Requirements
- Minimum 2.5 weighted GPA
- Rising Junior or Senior by Summer of 2024
- 80% Attendance Record
- Chicago Resident
Also Accepting:
- Undocumented/ DACA / Refugee Students
- Oak Park & River Forest Residents ( Zip Code 60302, 60303, and 60305)
Important dates
December 2023
Applications open
March 2024
Applications close
Mid-February – Mid-April
Interviews
Early May
Notifications of acceptance
June 14, 2024
Orientation
June 17, 2024 – August 2, 2024
Program activities (internship days/times vary)
August 2, 2024
Capstone project showcase
How to apply
- Meet the requirements
- Gather a résumé, a letter of recommendation and an unofficial transcript
- Click “Apply” to fill out and submit your application
- You will receive an email notification if you have been selected for an interview. After your interview, you’ll receive an email notification if you have been selected for the program.
- Interview Tips Guide
If you’re accepted
- Attend orientation
- Must have COVID vaccine
- State ID or Passport
- Complete Secondary Application