Enrichment Programs

The CUNY School of Medicine offers two pathway programs, a one year program for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors (HPREP) and a two year program for rising high school juniors (HPMP). 

We are proud to invest in the next generation of healthcare professionals by collaborating with local high schools to inspire, prepare, and engage students from across our city and surrounding communities, representing a wide range of backgrounds and lived experiences. Through mentorship and guidance, we encourage students to explore careers in medicine while enriching their academic development.

Health Professionals Recruitment & Exposure Program (HPREP)

The HPREP Program at CUNY Medicine reflects the School’s long-standing commitment to cultivating future healthcare leaders by engaging high school students from communities across the city—particularly in neighborhoods where pathways into science and medicine have not always been readily accessible—and inspiring early exploration of the health professions.

HPREP Participation

The Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP) is a nationally recognized initiative that reflects CUNY Medicine’s leadership in expanding early exposure to careers in science, medicine, and the health professions for younger students. Originally established at Weill Cornell Medical College in the late 1980s, the program has expanded to academic institutions across the United States, including the Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program/CUNY School of Medicine.

In the fall of 2014, through the diligent work of student Sarin Abiola Soyemi, HPREP was established at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education/ CUNY School of Medicine. Encouraged by CUNY’s student body, she was inspired to provide an opportunity for medical students to mentor high school students who aspire to work in the healthcare professions.

HPREP introduces high school students to a broad range of healthcare careers through a series of structured learning experiences. These include seminars, guest lectures, interactive workshops, and mentorship opportunities led by medical students and faculty. Sessions are held at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at the CUNY School of Medicine.

Participants engage in a wide range of academic activities, such as:

• Mentorship: Personalized guidance and support from current medical students and faculty members.
• Anatomy Laboratory Exploration: A unique opportunity to study human anatomy through the use of cadavers.
• Clinical Skills Training: Interactive sessions focused on basic clinical techniques such as blood pressure measurement.
• Problem-Based Learning: Interactive workshops centered on real world medical scenarios.
• Medical Lectures: Educational presentations delivered by CUNY School of Medicine faculty and students.
• Professional Networking: Opportunities to connect with members of the medical school community and gain insight into the admissions process.

The program provides a supportive environment where students can deepen their understanding of the medical field, interact with professionals, and gain meaningful exposure to health-related career pathways. HPREP is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed decisions about their academic and professional futures. Participants are strongly encouraged to consider careers in science, medicine, public health, or research.

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2022 – 2024 Health Professions Mentorship Program Application

Applications Closed

Health Professionals Mentorship Program (HPMP)

The HPMP Program is for rising high school juniors considering a career in the health field. Careers in medicine, such as nursing, physician assistant, occupational therapy, public health, and research are achievable with a college degree.

The Health Professions Mentorship Program (HPMP) is a highly structured initiative designed for rising high school juniors who are considering careers in the health sciences. The program provides early exposure to a wide range of professional pathways, including medicine, nursing, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, public health, and biomedical research. These careers are supported by academic foundations in the biological sciences, social sciences, and other health-related disciplines.

Participants commit to an 18-month program that includes two summer sessions, each lasting four weeks, held after the sophomore and junior years of high school. Additionally, students participate in monthly Saturday seminars throughout the academic year, ensuring sustained engagement and professional development.

A core component of the program is a community-based project in which students identify actual public health challenges facing New York City communities and work collaboratively to develop practical solutions. This interactive experience deepens students’ understanding of the social and economic determinants of health and highlights the critical role of health professionals in advancing the community.

Mentorship sessions are led by faculty and students from the CUNY School of Medicine and include expert presentations, group seminars, and collaborative problem-solving activities. During the fall, winter, and spring sessions, medical student mentors provide academic and personal guidance to help high school students strengthen the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed for success in college and future careers in the health professions.

2024 – 2026 HPMP Application

Deadline Extended to April 19, 2025 at 11:59:59 pm

The deadline for applications to the Sophie Davis Health Professions Mentorship Program is April 19, 2025. Applications and all supporting documents Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted online. Decisions about admission will be sent the second week of May 2025.