Summer Opportunities for Apprenticeships in Research (MedSOAR)

The U-M Medical School's Summer Opportunities for Apprenticeships in Research (MedSOAR) program provides an opportunity for highly motivated college students, specifically those from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds, to explore potential careers in the field of medicine. 

Program participants work in a research lab or clinical setting and gain essential skills necessary to become biomedical science professionals.  Research areas include, but are not limited to: pathology, internal medicine, anatomy, physical medicine, a rehabilitation, pediatrics, nursing and veterinary medicine.  Past research topics ranged from high-tech computerized brain imaging to biostatistical analysis.  Clinics are in different areas such as pediatric, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and primary care fields.  Participants also learn about health disparities. As many as 15 students are selected to participate in this full-time summer health-related research and/or clinical experience, which starts in June and ends in August. The MedSOAR Program is fully funded by the U-M Medical School; there is no tuition charged to program participants.

Purpose:
The purpose of the MedSOAR program is to introduce and familiarize students with biomedical research, health professional careers and issues of health disparities.  Additionally, the program seeks to provide students with the skills needed to become competitive applicants for health professional schools as well as successful citizen scholars and biomedical professionals.  Students participate in an intensive orientation in which they learn professional development and presentation skills, along with lab etiquette.

Eligibility:
Only college students who have previously participated in at least one of the University of Michigan Medical School’s Diversity & Career Development Office (DCDO) programs (Summer Science Academy, MedSOAR, and current DCDO Pre-Med advisees) or UM students with a pre-med focus are eligible to apply. Pre-med students will receive priority placement. Applicants must:

  1. Be U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens,
  2. Have a valid U.S. social security number,
  3. Be lawful Michigan residents, and
  4. Have completed first year of college.

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following:

  1. Demonstrated interest in a career in medicine or biomedical research;
  2. Successful completion of at least one, first year biology and first year chemistry courses;
  3. Personal and academic accomplishments;
  4. College grades; and
  5. Quality of academic recommendations; and
  6. Demonstrated commitment to helping underserved populations

Students are only eligible to participate in MedSOAR twice.

Financial Support:
Stipends are $400.00 (before taxes) per week.

Housing:
MedSOAR scholars are responsible for securing their own housing. For information about finding housing in Ann Arbor, please visit the University of Michigan Housing Web site.

For more information contact:
Dinella Crosby, MedSOAR Program Manager
2919C Taubman Medical Library
1135 Catherine St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5603
Tel: 734-764-8185
Fax: 734-615-4828
Email: umms.medsoar@umich.edu