The Scholars in Health program at the University of Kansas School of Medicine aims to identify and support undergraduate students from rural and urban Kansas who are interested in pursuing careers as physicians in these communities. Applicants who have lived, studied in these areas, or who demonstrate a strong commitment to practicing medicine in underserved communities are encouraged to apply.

Students may apply once they have earned a minimum of 60 college credit hours and have five semesters of coursework remaining (4 regular semesters and one summer semester).

Upon successful completion of program requirements and the undergraduate degree, applicants will have a guaranteed seat in the incoming medical class.

The Scholars in Health program offers two tracks — Rural and Urban. Applicants will choose their track when completing the initial Scholars application.

• The Rural track is for students from underserved rural areas and/or those who demonstrate a strong commitment to serving underserved rural communities in Kansas as future primary care physicians. Rural Scholars are expected to practice in rural, underserved areas of Kansas after completing residency training. Rural track Scholars will choose between attending either the Salina or Wichita campus. Applicants who wish to prioritize the Kansas City campus are encouraged to apply to the KU School of Medicine as regular decision candidates. 
• The Urban track is for students from underserved urban areas and/or those who demonstrate a strong commitment to serving underserved urban communities in Kansas as future primary care physicians. Urban Scholars are expected to practice in urban, underserved areas of Kansas after completing residency training. Urban Track Scholars will choose between attending either the Kansas City or Wichita campus. Applicants who wish to prioritize the Salina campus are encouraged to apply to the KU School of Medicine as regular decision candidates. 

During the program, participants will earn 100 hours of shadowing over two years under an assigned mentor in a rural or urban setting (ideally near the participant’s home base). Additionally, Scholars will participate in an initial orientation session, attend premedical club and activities on your campus, and receive MCAT preparation assistance and personalized guidance via regularly scheduled check-in sessions with KU School of Medicine admission officers.

Application Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the SIH program, applicants must meet the following requirements at the time of application: 

• Be a Kansas resident. 

• Meet minimum GPA, ACT, and credit hour requirements: 

• A cumulative high school GPA of (unweighted) 3.4 or higher on a 4.0 scale OR received an ACT composite score of 24 or higher. 
• The ACT with a science score is strongly encouraged, but consideration will be given to those who have not completed the test. 
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA andcumulative science course GPA greater than or equal to 3.4. Science courses are defined as any Biology, Physics, Chemistry, or Math class. 
• Have earned a minimum of 60 credit hours andhave five semesters of coursework remaining (4 regular semesters and one summer semester). 
• Completed one academic year each of biology and chemistry with labs, at a level appropriate for science majors, either at the undergraduate institution or via approved transfer/AP credit. 

• Demonstrate the evidence of dedication and compassion necessary to be a competent and caring physician through community service, exposure to the medical field, and other altruistic endeavors in underserved communities. 

• Strong consideration will be given to first-generation college attendees. 

• Strong consideration will be given to applicants from health professional underserved areas.  

Academic Readiness Expectations for SIH Participants  

By the time participants complete their undergraduate degree, SIH participants must demonstrate academic readiness by meeting the following requirements: 

Bachelor’s Degree 

• Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. 

GPA Requirements 

• Maintain a minimum 3.4 cumulative GPA 
• Maintain a minimum 3.4 science GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Math). 

Participants who fall below the required semester GPAs must meet with both their premedical advisor and the Admissions Office. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the SIH program. 

MCAT Requirement  

• Earn a minimum MCAT score of 502 

Participants who do not meet the minimum MCAT score by first available January test date of their final year will be removed from the SIH program.  

Removal from the SIH due to the MCAT requirements does not preclude a future application to the KU School of Medicine as a regular decision candidate.  

The Office of Admissions monitors Scholars’ MCAT trends and will undertake regular data reviews and may adjust score requirements for future cycles. 

Definition of Underserved Areas

For the purposes of the Scholars in Health Program, underserved areas in the state of Kansas are defined as geographic regions that experience a shortage of health care providers or face significant barriers to medical access.

These areas may include:

• Rural Areas— Counties designated as Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) or Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) by the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), as well as communities with limited access to primary care, specialty services or health care infrastructure.
•  Urban Underserved Areas— Neighborhoods within metropolitan regions where residents experience disproportionate health disparities, lower provider-to-patient ratios and barriers to accessing consistent, high-quality medical care. These may include federally designated Medically Underserved Populations (MUPs) or areas identified by state or local health authorities as having critical healthcare shortages.

Contact for More Information

KU School of Medicine Office of Admissions
913-588-5280
medadmissions@kumc.edu