This free eight-week summer initiative supports pre-medical students as they navigate the complex medical school application process.
The Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah is now accepting applications for the 2026 Medical Admissions Preparatory Program (MAPP). This free eight-week summer initiative supports pre-medical students as they navigate the complex medical school application process.
MAPP provides comprehensive support to aspiring medical students, particularly those who have connections with medically underserved communities. The program is held in person, on campus but the Office of Academic Culture and Community.
Orientation will be June 8, 2026, and the eight-week curriculum runs from June 22 to August 10, 2026. Sessions are held weekly on Mondays from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Participants will be enrolled in a virtual MCAT prep course that requires weekly meetings, and a graduation ceremony will take place on August 13, 2026. Participants are expected to attend all in-person meetings, engage with the cohort and staff, and commit to the full schedule as part of their acceptance into the program.
The program includes three core components:
- weekly workshops led by campus partners, staff, and current medical students
- access to the Kaplan MCAT Prep Course at no cost
- pairing with an OACC medical student mentor fellow who provides personalized guidance that extends beyond the summer.
“MAPP is about removing barriers for students who may not always have access to these resources. We want participants to see themselves as future physicians and to feel supported, prepared, and confident every step of the way.” says Donna Edlgride, Director of the Office of Academic Culture and Community (OACC).
Recent research published in the Journal of Best Practices in Health Professional Fields demonstrates the program's effectiveness.
The 2024 MAPP cohort’s post-program survey results highlight transformative impact:
- 94% reported increased readiness to apply to medical school
- 89% felt more confident in applying
- 100% valued participation in MAPP.
Notably, MAPP alumni have consistently been admitted to the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, with four matriculants in 2023, five in 2024, and two in 2025.
"Due to the lack of knowledge in navigating the medical school application process, I ended up taking multiple years off. MAPP provided me with resources ... and most of all a community of people with similar struggles striving to accomplish the same goal." Said one MAPP alum who was accepted into multiple medical schools and now attends SFESOM.
The application deadline is March 13, 2026, with acceptance notifications sent by mid-May 2026. MAPP is a highly competitive program, and selection is based on a holistic review of academic preparation, commitment to medicine, and alignment with the program’s mission. To be eligible to apply, students must be college juniors, seniors, master’s students, or recent graduates of a bachelor’s or master’s program, have completed at least two years of undergraduate science or pre-med coursework, and meet minimum GPA expectations consistent with competitive medical school preparation.
Beyond test preparation and application mechanics, MAPP cultivates the confidence and self-efficacy students need to envision themselves as future physicians. Participants learn to articulate their passion for medicine in compelling ways and to present their experiences through a lens that demonstrates readiness for the rigors of medical education.
For more information or to apply, visit MAPP webpage or contact the Office of Academic Culture and Community at somacc@hsc.utah.edu
