Programs

Academic Summer Program Integrating Resources for Excellence

Loyola University: Stritch School of Medicine

ASPIRE is an intensive summer program held during the month of June that will prepare you for the medical school application process and help you strengthen your application, expose you to health disparities, and introduce you to the community of Maywood, IL.

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Program Components

Primary Areas of Focus
  • Admissions (assistance with application process for health profession degree programs)
  • Academic preparation (e.g., increasing STEM knowledge
Desired Outcomes

Students should leave more prepared for the medical school application process. The ultimate goal is to help these students gain acceptance at one or more medical schools when they are ready to apply.

Program Locations

Cook County / Chicago, IL

  • In-person
    The program is primarily taught at the Stritch School of Medicine. There may be some off-campus or zoom activities/lectures during the program though.
Time Periods

June 1- July, 2022

Program Components
  • Application guidance/support (e.g. standardized test prep)
    Application writing strategies to prepare for supplemental application. Professionalism aspects of the admissions process and beyond (appropriate follow-up, how to email faculty members, how to dress for interviews, etc.). A mock selection committee meeting to better understand the admissions process
  • Health career exploration (e.g. job shadowing, career fairs)
    Job shadowing will be part of the program
  • Mentoring (e.g. pairing with current health profession student)
    Students will be paired with a current medical student as a mentor/to assist with the written components of their application
  • Networking (with others who have similar health career interests)
    Students will meet a variety of current medical students, faculty, and staff and will have the opportunity to connect with them during the program.
  • Professional skills development (e.g. teamwork, ethical conduct)

Participants and Eligibility

Participants Last Year: 16
Education Levels
Health Professions
Limit on Number of Participants

16

Duration of Program

Month of June

Program Sustainability

Applications and Costs

Eligibility Criteria
  • Academic
  • Racial or ethnic group membership
    Underrepresented in Medicine: African American and/or Black, Hispanic/Latin, Native American(American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians), Pacific Islander and mainland Puerto Rican
  • Socio-economic background
    Low-Income, working-class, lower middle-class
Required Application Components

Application Questions, Previous AMCAS Application(if applicable)

No Minimum GPA, but a solid performance in pre-med coursework and MCAT must be taken prior to the start of the program.

Program Costs

This program is free to participants.

Financial Assistance

All students in the program will receive a stipend for their participation. In addition, housing and breakfast/lunch will be provided.

Contact Information

Visit program website

Contact

Catherine Jardien, Assistant Director for Student Life

Additional Information

Program History

ASPIRE grew out of our former Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), which began in 2011. It has changed form over the years, but its goal has always been to assist pre-med students to be better prepared for the medical school application process

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