About the Program

Built to serve SHPEP alumni in their time leading up to medical school (but open to all interested applicants), SHPEPLE is a 24-month longitudinal engagement program focusing on academic enrichment, professional development, and career development to directly support students through the process of preparing their application to medical school. The program serves 25 students per cohort, typically students who are late in their undergraduate years, in a gap year, or in a postbaccalaureate program. 

We have often felt that there has been a gap in serving these students who, after completing SHPEP and going back to their home institutions, find that they are still committed to moving forward to matriculating into a health profession program but may be in a school that lacks the resources or may lack support and resources themselves. We believe that the SHPEP Longitudinal Enhancement builds on a well-known, respected, and successful program and will fill that gap by providing the needed skill building, mentoring and support for a successful matriculation into health profession schools. The 20-week (24-month) SHPEP Longitudinal Enhancement program will work with scholars to bridge that gap and continue to work with the students until they matriculate into health professions school. 

This program offers mentoring, research opportunities, MCAT prep (free of charge to students), assistance working on their personal statements, building interviewing skills, workshops on learning skills, time management and meeting faculty, practitioners and students from similar backgrounds with the goal of better preparing these students for successful matriculation and hopefully an opportunity to eventually practice and serve our communities. 

The program is open to students throughout the state of Washington (rural, urban, suburban, etc), especially those with limited educational and financial resources. 

Application

SHPEPLE is a 24-month program designed to motivate and prepare pre-medical students across Washington State (rural, urban, and suburban areas). With particular attention to those with limited educational and financial resources, during the critical two year period of time leading up to applying to medical school.

Know before you begin:

• Priority consideration is given to SHPEP alumni, though other scholars may be considered in certain circumstances.
• SHPEPLE is a 2-year program, starting October 5th, 2026, ending in June 2028.
• Participants must attend 90% of ALL SHPEPLE session weekday evenings, about 3-4 times a month.
• If you applied to SHPEPLE June 2025-August 2025, not accepted to the program, and advised your application would be considered for future cohorts, please be advised the application process has changed and ALL APPLICANTS must submit a new application.

Applications close Monday September 14^th at 5 PM PST.

If you have any questions about the program or application process, please contact Jennifer Harris, jharri25@uw.edu.

About the Curriculum

The SHPEPLE curriculum is built to holistically support each scholar on their unique journey to medical school. The main components of the curriculum include: 

• MCAT prep – our team funds each scholar’s MCAT prep resources through Blueprint and supports them in using those resources 

• Curriculum calls – each month, students meet for lectures and discussions led by Dr. Lakaija Johnson and other relevant experts on a variety of topics that will support students towards their medical school goals 

• Mentorship – students will be matched with peers, near-peers, and clinicians in mentorship families that meet monthly to offer academic and social support 

• Community building – students will be invited to monthly social gatherings to build meaningful relationships with their cohort 

This curriculum is meant to provide a structured, flexible balance of supports to meet students where they are and build the knowledge and relationships essential to meeting their goals. We recognize that each student will have different needs, goals, and timelines, and the curriculum is intended to be responsive to those unique circumstances.