2026 Summer Enrichment Program (SEP)

Important Dates

Program Dates: Sunday, May 24, 2026 - Thursday, June 18, 2026 (Four-Week Program)

Application opens: November 15, 2025

Application deadline: March 2, 2026

Program Summary

The Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) is a tuition-free four-week residential program for rising college juniors and seniors interested in entering the health professions. It has been hosted and funded by UMass Chan Medical School since the 1970’s. The SEP supports students’ preparation for future careers in health care, through academic enrichment activities and professional development sessions. Seminars on cultural and contemporary health issues demystify the application process for health professions schools, expose participants to a range of career opportunities in health care, and provide networking opportunities with current medical students, scientists, physicians and other healthcare professionals.  Participants also complete a health equity research project, which allows students to identify current gaps that prevent equitable access to high quality care and health choices. Of the 380 participants who completed the program between 1990-2024, 104 have completed doctoral degrees in health professions and biomedical sciences, and 107 participants completed master’s degrees in related fields.

Program Goals

To enhance the preparation and competitive standing of program participants for admission into graduate, medical or other health profession programs, and to strengthen the Massachusetts healthcare workforce.

Objectives

• To improve the academic skills of participants in critical thinking, problem solving, note taking, test taking strategies, time management and decision-making.
• To enhance the communication skills of participants through writing, public speaking, and practice interviews.
• To enhance the preparation of participants for professional school applications, including preparing program participants for required standardized exams such as the MCAT and GRE. Coach participants in preparing for medical and health professions school interviews.
• To provide participants with information on how to finance a medical, graduate or other health profession education.

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