HSHCP Eligibility and Application

In alignment with UMass Chan Medical School’s mission to advance the health and wellness of diverse communities throughout Massachusetts and beyond, the High School Health Careers Program encourages applications from students of all backgrounds whose varied educational and life experiences contribute to a broadly diverse and inclusive academic community.

✅Eligibility Requirements: 

1. Citizenship Status:
   • • • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
2. Enrollment Status:
   • • • Current High School sophomores or juniors during the application cycle.
       • Massachusetts residents who attend a Massachusetts high school.
3. Age requirements:
   • • • Must be at least 16 on June 15, 2026   
4. Health Insurance:
   • • • Must provide proof of health insurance coverage before acceptance of the program.

Students are not allowed to participate in any other academic or social program; take classes at another institution; or work for an employer, family member or friend while they are participating in the program. The program requires 100% of your participation, attention and commitment.

✅Application Process:

Applications must be submitted online from the Apply Now menu item on the left page side. Applications will be available on November 15, 2025. The application can be saved through mid-process and continued at a later date. The application submission deadline is March 2, 2026 and there will be no extensions.

✅Required Documents to Upload (by the applicant):

• Current Unofficial Transcript (including Spring 2026 courses).
• Personal Statement (1–2 pages). Briefly discuss your background (family history, academic history, community/volunteer/team activities), your tentative career plans, and explain how participation in the High School Health Careers Program will help you achieve those goals.  
• Two Letters of Recommendation from your teachers or guidance counselors.  

All documents must be in PDF format.

Transcript Requirement: Students who are accepted must have their guidance counselors submit one of the following:

• An official transcript that includes Spring 2026 semester courses, or a letter from the guidance counselor confirming enrollment in Spring 2026 courses
• This documentation must be sent by email or mail.
• Failure to meet this requirement will result in disqualification from the program.

✅Selection Process:

• All completed applications are reviewed by the selection committee in April.
• Invitations to participate in the program are sent via email to selected students, beginning in late March.
• Selected applicants must respond to the program invitation via email, indicating whether they accept or decline the offer. Failure to respond by the deadline specified in the invitation letter will be considered as non-acceptance of the invitation. Additional invitations to participate will be extended until all slots in the program are filled.
• Participants who accept the offer must complete and submit all required onboarding paperwork by the specified deadline.

Contact us for more information