Are you a high school student in Minnesota interested in the medical field beyond the typical doctor or nurse roles? The Year Up Career Immersion Program, hosted by Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, offers an exclusive opportunity to dive deep into the diverse world of healthcare careers. This intensive program, taking place June 22-26, 2025, is designed for talented and diverse incoming juniors and seniors to discover in-demand healthcare professions they may have never considered.
This immersive experience goes beyond the surface, providing an insider’s perspective on a wide spectrum of health sciences careers. The Year Up Career Immersion Program aims to unveil the numerous and often overlooked career paths within healthcare.
What to Expect from the Year Up Career Immersion Program:
The program is packed with enriching activities and valuable insights, carefully curated to provide a comprehensive understanding of healthcare careers:
- Discover High-Demand Healthcare Careers: Explore the landscape of rapidly growing careers in healthcare, gaining insights into future job market trends and opportunities.
- Connect with Healthcare Professionals: Network with experienced professionals, including Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences students, faculty, and staff, gaining firsthand knowledge and mentorship.
- Understand Academic Pathways: Learn about the specific academic routes and prerequisites for enrolling in various health sciences programs, helping you plan your educational journey.
- Interactive Learning in College Settings: Participate in engaging, hands-on sessions held in real college classrooms and labs, experiencing the environment of higher education.
- Professionalism in Healthcare: Develop a strong understanding of the essential professional standards and ethics required in healthcare settings.
- Student Networking: Connect and collaborate with fellow high school students who share your interests, building a network of peers.
- Comprehensive Program Support: Benefit from provided housing, meals, and transportation from a central location to and from Mayo Clinic, ensuring a seamless and focused program experience.
Many envision doctors and nurses when thinking about healthcare, but the reality is far broader. The Year Up Career Immersion Program sheds light on vital roles such as radiographers, who are crucial in patient diagnostics using X-rays, and respiratory therapists, who provide essential care for patients with breathing difficulties. These are just a glimpse into the over 50 health sciences professions offered at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, excluding physician and nursing programs.
Who Should Apply for the Year Up Career Immersion Program?
Each year, the program seeks a diverse cohort of motivated rising high school juniors and seniors from Minnesota. Ideal candidates are curious to explore significant healthcare careers beyond the well-known roles of doctors, nurses, and scientists. Applicants should be current sophomores and juniors (during the 2024-2025 academic year) from Minnesota public, private, charter, or home-based high schools, and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. The Year Up Career Immersion Program strongly encourages applications from students belonging to underrepresented groups, including:
- Prospective first-generation college students and participants in TRIO, Upward Bound, and College Possible programs.
- Students who identify as Black or African-American.
- Students who identify as Hispanic or Latino.
- Students who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native.
- Students who identify as Native Hawaiian or U.S. Pacific Islander.
Program Expectations for Year Up Career Immersion Program Participants:
Students admitted to the Year Up Career Immersion Program are expected to fully commit to the program and adhere to outlined guidelines:
- Timely submission of all required documentation as specified in the admission letter.
- Full participation throughout the entire program week, ensuring maximum benefit from the immersive experience.
- Proactive communication regarding any necessary accommodations to ensure a supportive learning environment.
- Compliance with the program’s code of conduct, maintaining a professional and respectful demeanor.
How to Apply for the Year Up Career Immersion Program:
Applications are accepted annually from January 1st through March 15th. To be considered for the Year Up Career Immersion Program, your application and all supporting documents must be submitted to Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences by 11:59 p.m. CT on March 15th.
It is highly recommended to print these instructions or keep them accessible on a separate screen while completing your application. The application process is optimized for PC completion.
Step-by-Step Application Instructions:
Follow these steps to apply for the Year Up Career Immersion Program:
- Navigate to the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences application portal.
- Select “Career Immersion Program” from the program options.
- Complete each section of the online application form thoroughly and accurately.
- After submitting the application, access the “Supplemental Items and Documents” section.
- Upload each required item listed in the Supplemental Items section.
- Complete the “Recommendation Request” section to initiate the recommendation process.
Required Supplemental Application Items:
Ensure you prepare and submit the following supplemental items to complete your application:
- Essay: Write an essay between 300-500 words addressing the following: Describe your interest in allied health careers (excluding doctors, surgeons, nurses, or researchers) and explain why you believe you would be a strong candidate for the Year Up Career Immersion Program to explore these careers further. Upload your essay in the Supplemental Items section.
- Transcripts: Upload your most recent unofficial high school transcript. Request an unofficial copy from your counselor or school official. Online grade book uploads are not accepted.
- Recommendation: Provide the email address of an educational reference who will complete an online recommendation form on your behalf. This reference should be someone familiar with your academic abilities and potential for success in the Year Up Career Immersion Program, such as a current teacher, counselor, coach, or principal.
Note: If you miss uploading these items during initial submission, you can access your “My Account” page and locate your application to complete these steps.
Interviews for the Year Up Career Immersion Program:
The selection committee conducts a comprehensive review of all applications. Applicants who are considered for admission to the Year Up Career Immersion Program will be invited for a brief interview in early spring as part of the final selection process.
