2026 Penn Medicine Princeton Health Pre-Health Professional Program

 

This program allows students considering a career in medicine, nursing or the allied health professions to gain first-hand experience in the healthcare field. In order to gain an understanding of the work and responsibilities of healthcare providers in a modern hospital complex; students who participate in the program will volunteer their time in clinical areas, observe procedures, and attend lectures.

If you are interested in the program, please continue to read below. If you determine you are eligible to apply, please complete and submit the application. Late submissions will not be accepted.

For questions, please call the Volunteer Services Department at (609) 853-6010.

The e-mail address and password you use below will be used to access your "Volunteer Portal" in the future. Be sure to remember this information and keep it in a safe place.

Penn Medicine Princeton Health's Pre-Health Professional Program will provide opportunities for undergraduate and recently graduted students to explore the health sciences field before applying to medical school or other professional graduate programs.

Time Frame: The Pre-Health Professional Program runs early June through mid-August.

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

  1. Be enrolled in a pre-professional health related program OR have interest in pursuing a health science degree/program in the near future.
  2. Have or obtain a valid CPR card for healthcare providers (BCLS) before the start of the program. 
  3. Have completed your sophomore year of undergraduate studies by the start of the program. 
  4. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.
  5. Be able to commit to a 10-week summer program with only 1 week of vacation during the Session.

All applications will be reviewed by Volunteer Services staff and eligible applicants will be invited to a formal interview. Those accepted into the program will be required to provide health clearance documentation that indicates immunization/clearance to the following: Rubella (German Measles), Rubeola (Measles), Varicella (Chicken Pox), Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis, and COVID Booster. Form will be provided.  

*This is a highly competitive experiential learning program where only 10-15 students are accepted.

Training and Orientation:

Pre-Health Program participants will be required to complete the following Safety Training (provided):

  • General Volunteer Safety Training - online
  • Basic Nursing/Patient Care Training - During 1st week of program in June
  • Care Ambassador Training - During 1st week of program in June
     

What to expect as a participant:

Each Pre-Health Program participant will be required to complete the following:

1. Complete at least three 3-hour shifts each week (9 hours total) in the Emergency Department and on an inpatient nursing unit.

2. Schedule and perform 10+ shadow experiences.
—Departments participating in the shadowing experience may include: Cancer Center, Community Wellness and Engagement, Human Resources, Laboratory/Pathology/Blood Bank, Labor & Delivery (L&D), Nursing Supervisor, Outpatient Rehabilitation (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy), OR, PeriOp, Pharmacy, Radiology (X-ray, MRI, CT and Ultrasound),Spiritual Care & Wellbeing.
 —All observations will require written reflections, documenting your experience, which will be due at the end of the program. Letters of recommendation will be provided after reflections are completed.

3. Attend weekly evening speaker lectures facilitated by professional healthcare staff. 
—Sample lecture topics: Nursing Orientation, Program Alum Q&A, EMS Services, Physician Assistant, Surgery, Middlesex Regional Medical Examiner's Office, Clinical Informatics, Clinical Laboratory, Spiritual Care & Wellbeing, Patient Relations, Behavioral Health

4. A day trip to Philadelphia to a Penn Hospital and a visit to the Mutter Museum.


Pre-Application Checklist

Will you have completed your sophmore year of college by the start of the program?  

Are you able to commit to at least 9 hours of volunteering and 2 hours of lecture time per week along with varying hours for observations in select departments between early June to mid-August?
Do you have or are you able to obtain CPR certification for healthcare providers (BCLS) before June 1?
Do you have cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above?
Applicant Information
Address
Personal Contact Information
Emergency Contact Information
Transcript
Experience
Interest
References 

References should be professional in nature. Examples include, but are not limited to employers, professors, previous Volunteer Services Directors, etc. Refererences from family members and friends will not be accepted.

 

References will be sent an email from the address: volunteer@pennmedicine.upenn.edu requesting to complete a survey. Applicants should notify their reference to expect the e-mail.

Your application is considered incomplete until volunteer services receives two acceptable completed survey responses.

To resubmit a reference survey or to add an additional reference, please contact Volunteer Services at 609-853-6010 or volunteer@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

 

Reference #1
Reference #2
Application Certification
 By checking the boxes below, I consent to the below statements and certify that all information in this application is true and correct as of todays date:
Princeton Health is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. Candidates are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.
[ clear ]