Dear Student,

The Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP) at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas provides high school students with valuable information and pertinent experiences necessary to enhance academic performance. The primary focus of the program is to expose students to the educational institution and strengthen the students’ motivation in pursuing a career path in the health sciences.  Participants receive counseling from medical students on how to prepare for a pre med curriculum, tour clinical affiliates serving Dallas citizens, and interact with health professionals practicing in the local community.

HPREP is sponsored by the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) and the National Network of Latin American Medical Students (NNLAMS) of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas (UT Southwestern) and the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) . Students who are selected for the program receive significant exposure to minority role models in medicine. The program consists of six (6) Saturday morning sessions lasting about 4 hours each, from January 10, 2008 to February 14, 2009.  Students attend workshops on study skills, tour the medical center, learn about the college application process, and receive information on health matters unique to the minority and/or economically disadvantaged communities.  Parents/Guardians are invited to attend the program. UT Southwestern invites students who are interested in medicine, health careers, and science to apply to HPREP . 

The program targets high school students who:

• Demonstrate the ability to benefit positively from interaction with community role models in a medically oriented and relaxed environment
• Demonstrate academic aptitude to pursue college studies
• Demonstrate a strong interest in community service
• Have an interest in science and/or health professions
• Demonstrate an ability to commit to the program

Under the mentorship of the SNMA and NNLAMS, sessions will consist of short lectures followed by small group discussions to facilitate interactions with medical students, faculty, and personnel of health science institutions.   High school students increase their awareness of the unique needs of the minority communities and the economically disadvantaged and learn to critically evaluate and discuss scientific literature.  Awards will be presented at the closing ceremony and parents are encouraged to attend.

The HPREP website contains the program schedule and the HPREP application.  Please print, complete and return the application as instructed.  Please note that there are four (4) parts to the application.  Applications should be postmarked no later than October 31, 2008.  All parts of the application must be completed, and the application must be signed and dated by parent/guardian.