Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in Research for Chicago Students (PSOMER-CS) is an eight-week non-residential research, education, and mentoring experience at the University of Chicago for college students who live or study in the Chicago area OR Chicago area college students. Students will participate in faculty-mentored basic science or clinical research projects with weekly workshops, culminating in a mandatory research presentation forum. Students will receive MCAT prep (or science coursework support) and admissions counseling. One goal of the program is to increase engagement in medicine and STEM fields among highly talented Chicago area students who come from low-income backgrounds, are first-generation in college, or are from health professional shortage areas.
Resources
Summer Pathway Programs
The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is home to a variety of pathway programs that prepare and inspire talented high school and college students to pursue careers in medicine and in health-related research.
We are planning to have new program PSOMER-CS in person for summer 2026. Our new program combines some of the best aspects of our two legacy programs—PSOMER and CAMP. PSOMER and CAMP participants have gone on to attend medical school at institutions such as: Baylor University, Emory University, Indiana University, Loyola University, Meharry Medical College, The University of Chicago, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Miami, University of Pennsylvania, Wright State University
Program Contact
Nikeela Davis, Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Administrator
Applicants must be US citizens or have Permanent Resident status.
Ideal candidates should -
- Be a rising sophomore, junior or senior;
- Have successfully completed a collegiate-level biology, chemistry, and/or physics course;
- Have exposure to clinical or basic research in the sciences;
- Have a firm interest in medicine and healthcare;
- Be in excellent academic standing at their home institution;
- Live or go to school in the Chicago area; and
- Have an interest in improving health for residents of University of Chicago catchment area.
Students will participate in either basic science laboratories or clinical research projects throughout the duration of the program. Students will also receive mentorship and guidance from Pritzker Medical School students and staff. This includes advising sessions with Pritzker admissions officers and social events with Pritzker and University of Chicago summer research program students. Students planning on taking the MCAT the following year will participate in an MCAT prep course; all other students will receive science course support. Participants will not be permitted to work part-time jobs, take any additional classes during the program. There will be considerable lab work to conduct and out-of-lab/classwork to prepare.
- Program dates: Monday, June 8, 2026 – July 31, 2026
- Application Deadline: Monday, January 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
- Location: Hyde Park campus in Chicago, IL
- Academic credit: Not provided.
- Daily transportation: We will provide additional funds to offset local transportation costs. Students can use funds to purchase a Ventra card to access CTA, to offset gas and parking costs. The University provides free daytime shuttle service around the campus areas and portions of the neighboring communities. To ride shuttles, all passengers must present their UChicago Medical Center ID.
- Health Insurance: Not provided. Students must submit proof of health insurance for participation.
- Stipend: Students who successfully matriculate and complete the program will receive a total stipend of $3,200.
- Housing: The program is intended for Chicago area students. Participants will need to reside locally in Chicago during the program. Please keep in mind our program is in person every day and your address should be a commutable distance from our Hyde Park campus. Students are expected to secure their own housing and should report their summer address to the program administrator.
Complete applications include the following -
- Recommendation letters from faculty and mentors. After you complete the online application, you will be required to have at least one (1) and no more than three (3) individuals familiar with your interest in medicine or clinical research to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
- All letters must be on official school/organization letterhead and submitted to Nikki Davis (noliver2@bsd.uchicago.edu) by the application deadline.
- Official transcripts may be requested and should be sent directly by your institution.
- You should disclose your local address (school residential address or home address) within your completed application.