A Diverse Workforce to Improve Health in Urban Communities

The Scholars in Urban Health program is designed to recruit students from the urban areas of Kansas (Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, and Lawrence) who are committed to ameliorating the health challenges faced by their communities.

Students who apply for the program must attain a minimum of sophomore standing and have two years of undergraduate education remaining. The program provides assured admission to the University of Kansas School of Medicine upon successful completion of program requirements and graduation from an undergraduate institution.

Program Activities

In alignment with the vision of the Office of Student Engagement, the University of Kansas School of Medicine aims to become a national leader in the recruitment, retention, and promotion of future physicians that mirror the communities we aspire to partner with and serve.

The program exposes students to a variety of health care services in urban areas, including hospital and office practice. During the junior and senior undergraduate years, Scholars in Urban Health learn at the side of personal and physician mentors for a total of 100 shadow hours accumulated during the four semesters and one summer. Scholars also participate in quarterly Pre-Medicine Academic Society Meetings and attend regularly scheduled check-in meetings with physician and personal mentors, as well as the Office of Student Engagement staff.

Review our Scholars in Urban Health Timeline that shows a year-by-year breakdown of program activities and requirements!

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Permanent Kansas residency in the urban areas of Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka, or Lawrence 
• Significant experience living in an urban community
• ACT composite score of 24 or high school GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• College GPA of 3.25 or higher (cumulative)
• Premedical science GPA greater than or equal to 3.25
• Attained a minimum of sophomore standing and have two years of undergraduate education remaining
• Complete a minimum of one academic year of college undergraduate biology and chemistry courses, as required of biology and chemistry majors, including lectures and associated laboratories
• Committed to practicing medicine and achieving health equity in urban areas
• Demonstrated evidence of the dedication and compassion necessary to be a competent and caring physician
• Stronger consideration will be given to first generation college attendees
• Stronger consideration will be given to applicants from health professional underserved areas

Three letters of recommendation and a copy of a student's transcripts are required to complete the application. These documents should be sent to medadmissions@kumc.edu upon completion of the application.

Selection Process

Applications for the Scholars in Urban Health program will open April 18. The application and all supporting documents must be submitted to the School of Medicine by June 10 for review. Interviews will occur in July, with accepted students beginning the two-year program in August.

Successful Completion of the Program

Once accepted into the program, students must meet the following requirements for assured admission to the University of Kansas School of Medicine:

• Degree from an accredited college or university
• Fulfillment of the University of Kansas School of Medicine prerequisites
• College GPA of 3.25 or higher (cumulative)
• Premedical science GPA greater than or equal to 3.25
• A satisfactory score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
• Satisfactory completion of shadowing hours, participation in preparatory courses and conferences, and attending scheduled meetings with personal/physician mentors and the Office of Student Engagement staff
• Submit the Early Assurance AMCAS application to the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Early assurance applicants are not allowed to apply to other medical schools. (Students who do not apply as early assurance are not assured admission.)

Apply for the Scholars in Urban Health program

IMPORTANT: Upon completing the application, please submit all transcripts and letters of recommendation via email to medadmissions@kumc.edu. 

Application Link will be available on April 10th, 2025.

Applications Instructions (PDF)

If you have issues accessing the application or have questions, please contact ose@kumc.edu.

Important Dates

For more information contact:

OSE@kumc.edu
Office of Student Engagement – School of Medicine