Middle School Program

Student Enrichment Program for Underrepresented Professions (StEP-UP)

Program Components

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

Interactive sessions with MCW medical and graduate students, practicing physicians, and other health professionals.
An early exposure to a variety of experiences to inspire their pursuit of a careers in medicine and science.
Extensive learning modules that are engaging and grade level appropriate given their current foundation and scientific knowledge.
Hands-on demonstrations of basic biomedical and clinical science teaching topics.
Six half-day sessions held on one Saturday per month throughout the academic school year.

Personal Development: Sessions help 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 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: Students will participate in fun and engaging activities related to basic biomedical and clinical science. Sessions will help students develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Preparation for the Next Step: Students will be given resources and instructions to help prepare them for high school.

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:

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 online application.
Submit two (2) electronic recommendations: one from your science teacher (required) and another influential adult (e.g. school counselor or mentor).
Upload a copy of your official report card with application.

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