High School Program

Student Enrichment Program for Underrepresented Professions (StEP-UP)

Program Components

Select high school students who demonstrate an interest in science and medicine will:

Interact with MCW medical and graduate students, practicing physicians and other health professionals.
Explore career opportunities in medicine, research, and other health professions.
Participate in professional and personal development sessions.
Participate in hands-on demonstrations of basic biomedical and clinical science principles to help prepare them for research in a lab setting.
Receive advising from program staff regarding success and achievement in high school and college readiness.
Attend six (6) half-day sessions held on one Saturday per month throughout the academic school year.

Personal Development: Helps to give students the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, and responsible citizens.
Professional Development: The curriculum aims to help students develop the goals, skills, and attributes necessary for success as a student, an applicant to a professional program, and a career professional.
Hands-on Activities: Help students develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, as well as gain exposure to materials, and equipment in a lab setting.
Preparation for the Next Step: Students will be given resources and instructions to help prepare them for college.

We believe parental support and participation translates to active and engaged students. Parental sessions will:

Engage families in opportunities to work with their children in setting their academic, college and career goals.
Provide interaction with community partners, MCW staff, faculty, and students to share resources for parents at orientation.

Attendance is mandatory for each session.

Aug. 1

Applications Open

Sept. 30

Application Deadline

Nov. 16

Orientation Day!

Application

Applications open for the school year August 1.

Deadline to apply is September 30.

Eligibility

Students must demonstrate a strong interest in a career in the health sciences and/or medicine and meet the following criteria:

Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Have a 2.8 GPA minimum to apply (middle school GPA for Freshman if applicable, high school GPA for Sophomores or higher)
Be able to travel to the MCW-Milwaukee campus for each session

Individuals who are differently-abled and/or who come from a disadvantaged background are encouraged to apply, including, but not limited to their:

Socio-economic status;
Membership in any racial and ethnic groups;
Physical or mental disability or impairment (that substantially limits one or more life activities);
Disadvantaged background (e.g., have experienced homelessness; were in the foster care system; were eligible for financial assistance such as free school lunch, food stamps, or Pell grants; or have parents who did not complete a bachelor’s degree).

Program acceptance is not made on any single metric; applications are reviewed holistically.

How to Apply

Submit completed application.
Submit two (2) electronic recommendations: one from your science teacher (required) and another influential adult (e.g. school counselor or mentor).
Upload transcripts and attendance record with application (unofficial transcripts accepted).
If selected, applicants must be available for virtual interview.

Application for the 2024-2025 academic year is now closed.