Application

Diversity Valued

The NIH and American Association of Medical Colleges and major institutions have recognized that certain persons from some groups and backgrounds, and also geographies, are under-represented in science and medicine. Bold initiatives have been implemented to enrich and diversify science and medicine. Hence, all eligible and qualified persons, including those from diverse backgrounds, are strongly encouraged to apply to UM Scholars.

See definitions of underrepresented in medicine by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and description of groups underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences and definition of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Eligibility

Institution and Year of Study

University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) undergraduate students currently in their second or third year of studies (Sophomore or Junior).

Study Field

Majoring in any science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field.

GPA

Minimum GPA of 3.2 (cumulative) with preference for strong science performance. GPA of 3.5 or greater preferred.

Application Process

Application Deadline: February 1, 2021, 11:59pm EST

Anticipated Notification of Decision: March 2021

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials are submitted before the deadline. Only complete applications will be considered.

A complete application packet must include the following.

Application Form
Submit a completed Application Form through the online form. Follow the two step process: 1) register your entry and then 2) continue to the provided link to complete the entry (the unique link will allow the completion of the form in more than one sitting).
The form will ask you to provide the following.

Personal information, academic information, and short essays
Please upload a photo of yourself, maximum files size 50 KB (JPEG file preferred) similar to passport photos.
Biosketch Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume - Upload a CV or a resume. Biosketch CV format is preferred. Please follow the documents provided.
- Biosketch CV Template
- Resume Guidelines
Current transcript - Upload an unofficial transcript. An official transcript might be requested after the applicant is accepted into the program.
Recommender's names, titles, and email addresses (2 required recommendations, up to 2 optional additional recommendations). The applicant is responsible for contacting the recommenders to request for recommendation, providing them with the link to the form, and making sure that the recommendations are submitted by the application deadline (see item 2 Recommendation Form below).

Recommendation Form from two recommenders
Contact your recommenders as soon as possible.
Please be mindful that recommenders need some time to prepare a recommendation for you. It is recommended that you inform your recommenders at least a month in advance and follow up periodically to make sure that their recommendation is submitted by the deadline.
- Request recommendations from at least two recommenders
  - Please provide them with the link to the online Recommendation Form and make sure that the required recommendations are submitted by the application deadline.
  - Your recommenders will be asked to follow the two step process: 1) register the entry and then 2) continue to the provided unique link to complete the entry (the unique link will allow the completion of the form in more than one sitting).
- Notes regarding recommendations
  - Two required recommendations, up to two additional optional recommendations.
  - Recommenders should be faculty members or advisors, or past research mentors or supervisors. Choose recommenders who know you well and could speak to your character, strengths, and abilities. Recommenders who have interacted with you within the past two years are preferred.
  - The two required recommendations should not come from current graduate students or postdoctoral fellows. You are welcome to request additional recommendations from a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow as optional recommendations.
You will receive an automatic notification email after a recommender has submitted a recommendation for you. Please make sure your recommenders have your correct email address.

More Information about the Program

Questions

For questions regarding the program or the application process, please use the Ask UM Scholars form.