Medical Pathways
For Scholars preparing to pursue an MD or MD/PhD, Schreyer Honors College and the Penn State College of Medicine offer distinctive pathways that support early exploration, meaningful mentorship, and preparation for the next stage of medical education.
Through exclusive summer research experiences and early assurance opportunities, Scholars can deepen their understanding of clinical care and biomedical discovery while connecting with faculty, physicians, and researchers at the College of Medicine.
These programs invite students to explore the many ways they can make a difference in medicine—whether through patient care, scientific inquiry, or both—and to build a strong foundation for a career dedicated to improving lives and communities.
Summer Exposure Program
As a precursor to the MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program, Penn State College of Medicine offers a Schreyer Honors College MD/PhD Summer Exposure Program only open to rising second-year students in the Schreyer Honors College who are interested in becoming physician-scientists. Students spend 10 weeks working in a biomedical research laboratory at the College of Medicine in Hershey, PA, under the guidance of a faculty member on the MD/PhD training faculty. In addition, they will shadow a physician during a weekly clinical exposure session.
Summer Exposure Program students receive a stipend and participate in all Summer Undergraduate Research Internship Program (SURIP) activities, including a research forum at the end of the summer.
Up to four students are selected. Excellent students may be offered the opportunity to return for a second summer, between the second and third years. For the application link, deadlines, stipend information, and housing details, visit the Summer Exposure Program website.
MD/PhD Early Assurance Program
Schreyer encourages students who have completed two summers of the Summer Exposure program to indicate interest in being considered for the MD/PhD Early Assurance Program via the Penn State College of Medicine MD/PhD program office by emailing Alison Smolinski, Program Coordinator at mstp@pennstatehealth.psu.edu. Students who are invited to interview will provide application materials as directed.
MD Early Assurance Program
The Penn State College of Medicine has agreements with select undergraduate colleges, including Schreyer Honors College, to offer conditional acceptance into medical school after a student’s second year. Applications should be completed in the spring semester of a student’s second year.