Admissions Process
Each year’s cohort of SMLP scholars comes from broad and diverse backgrounds, bringing together a wide range of life experiences. We take a holistic approach to our application process and evaluate applicants on several factors, including academic achievement, interest in the medical field, personal statements, and letters of recommendation.
About the Application Process
Each year, the application will open at the beginning of November with a due date of February 1st.
Admissions decisions will be released by March 1st.
- Completed online application by February 1st. (The recommended browser for completing the application is Google Chrome.)
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Uploaded copy of your unofficial academic transcript.
- Completed personal statements regarding your experience in healthcare, an obstacle you have overcome and meaningful volunteering or work experience.
To be eligible for admission into the program, an applicant must:
- Be an undergraduate college student.
- Be a U.S. citizen, hold a permanent resident visa, or be a DACA recipient.
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (strongly recommended)
- Demonstrate a serious interest in a medical career.
- Create an account in the central UVA Application Management system.
- From the menu, select the application for the Summer Medical Leadership Program for the upcoming summer.
- Follow the remaining prompts.
Two recommendation letters are required. These letters should come from individuals who know you well and can comment on your academic achievements and abilities, as well as your level of interest in the medical field. Letters may come from individuals within your current institution (e.g. advisors, professors, academic deans, coaches) or outside of your institution. Family and friends may not write letters of recommendation.
The recommenders will receive an email prompt from UVA asking for the letter to be submitted electronically.
Upload your most recent unofficial transcript. If coursework has been completed at several institutions and your main transcript does not reflect the grades from all courses at all schools, you must submit transcripts from each institution.
Applicants are required to respond to the following prompts:
- Provide us with an example of one of the best leaders you have met or interacted with. What are some of the qualities that make them such an effective leader? How does this compare or contrast with your leadership style? (400 word maximum)
- Provide a statement detailing your most meaningful experience in a healthcare setting. This may be from personal or professional history. (400 word maximum)
- What about your individual background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at UVA? Feel free to write about any past experience or part of your background that has shaped your perspective and will be a source of strength, including but not limited to those related to your community, upbringing, educational environment, race, gender, or other aspects of your background that are important to you. (400 word maximum)
Optional prompt:
- If you have a personal or historic connection with UVA, and if you’d like to share how your experience of this connection has prepared you to contribute to the University, please share your thoughts here. Such relationships might include, but are not limited to, being a child of someone who graduated from or works for UVA, a descendant of ancestors who labored at UVA, or a participant in UVA programs. (250 word maximum)
Contact UVA Central Admissions for application, recommendation, and transcript questions and issues:
smlpadmission@virginia.edu
Summer Medical Leadership Program
PO Box 800446
Charlottesville, VA 22908