Utah Health Scholars

Program Benefits

The Utah Health Scholars Program is an enhancement program that comprehensively prepares students to apply and enter graduate-level health in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, physical assisting, and mental/behavioral health. The resources offered through UHS are utilized through enrolling and participating in our HLOC & BIOL courses which are cross-listed. This means that you can receive up to 6 upper-division credits by taking 6 of our 1-credit courses throughout your undergraduate degree. Announcements are sent to students in our courses which provide information about opportunities for service, internships, research, presentations, socials and other activities which would significantly set you apart from other applicants.

How To Join

To join our program, simply add HLOC 2000 to your Utah Tech course schedule. There is a section for students pursuing graduate level programs (Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, PA, OT/PT, etc.) and a section for students pursuing nursing and other health sciences programs (Dental Hygiene, Respiratory Therapy, Medical Laboratory Sciences, etc.). UHS also offers these classes fully online in the B block of each semester.

  • One university credit per course (6 credits can count as upper division credits for graduation)
  • Designed to introduce students to various healthcare careers using the AHEC Core Competencies
  • Seminars include skills for holistic medicine, medical ethics, dental practicum, healthcare simulations, FQHC dental shadowing, public health, test preparation, and other discipline-specific topics

Private Tutoring

Each semester Utah Health Scholars students are provided with a full tutoring list with contacts of Utah Tech students who have excelled in upper-division pre-health courses.

Healthcare Exploration Seminars

(can be taken for 1 unit –BIOL 3000 pass/fail credit) Designed so that guest speakers are not repeated over a two-year cycle. Presenters discuss career options, health care topics, test preparation and more.

Test Preparation

  • Seminar courses specific to content covered on entrance exams, such as verbal reasoning/reading comprehension and behavioural sciences
  • Free practice exams offered in a structured environment
  • Discount program with Kaplan Test Preparation Products
  • Includes assistance with the MCAT, GRE, DAT, OAT, or PCAT

Enhanced Advising

In addition to each college advisor and academic advisors, UHS offers enhanced advising geared towards the parts of a student’s application not focused on academics.

Research

UHS provides presentations about finding research projects, connection with faculty-led projects and information about the off-campus research projects.

Lending Library

A library with test preparation materials, career planning books, and application help are available in our office. Use of these materials can save students hundreds of dollars when purchasing materials to prepare for the MCAT/DAT/PCAT/OAT.

Mock Interviews

Held during the fall semester that the students will be interviewing, this experience allows students to have some feedback on their interview skills and learn to develop them.

Community Service

We keep an on-going list of medical and non-medical community service activities, including hospitals, care centers, clinics and many other options. We also post regular canvas announcements of service events on and off campus.

Cultural Immersion Experiences

Several of these are offered each year. Usually, a spring and winter one week-long trip to the Dominican Republic; as well as a week-long trip to Montezuma Creek, UT (a Navajo Community Health Center). These trips expose the student to a culturally diverse healthcare setting and allow opportunities for unique community service.

Application Workshop

Applying to graduate programs is challenging and time-consuming. In May, a workshop involving several campus resources will allow the student to work on their application in a structured setting with advice and editing, listen to workshops on proper attire and assist them in getting their application in early, a true key to success. In addition, individualized assistance is available for the supplemental/secondary application process during the summer. This workshop is offered on both SUU and Utah Tech campuses.

Job Shadowing/Internships

Community and regional connections allow us to assist students to find meaningful job shadowing experiences while jumping through the administrative hoops created by HIPAA, OSHA and other governing rules. Pharmacy/Optometry students can spend up to three semesters doing internships in corporate big-box offices, independent retail, and medical or hospital-based pharmacy/optometry. Dental students can spend time assisting with private dentists and specialists. Medical students have a wide variety of primary care and speciality care options.

EARLY ACCEPTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) WITH ROCKY VISTA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE (RVUCOM)

We have a direct partnership with RVUCOM allowing pre-medical students with high credentials to apply early for acceptance to this specific medical school which voids the MCAT requirement. EAP program applicants have the option to choose from either the Colorado or Utah campus. It is a pipeline for students interested in primary care, especially in a rural setting.

For any more information about the program, please email us at UHS@utahtech.edu