Medicina Academy Apprentice Program (MAAP)

The Medicina Academy Apprentice Program (MAAP) is a school-year pre-medical enrichment program run by the Hispanic Center of Excellence at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, for high school students. Created in 2009, it aims to start students on an educational pathway into medical school, with an emphasis on medical careers that serve communities facing physician shortages. Apprentices take part in medical courses, higher education courses, and personal and interpersonal development activities. They also attend career development sessions twice a month on Saturdays. The admissions committee gives preference to first-generation college-bound students. The 2026-27 cohort runs from September 2026 to May 2027.

Students in 9th, 10th or 11th grade at the time of application can apply, and they must be in 10th, 11th or 12th grade in the fall the program starts. Applicants need a minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0, at least conversational Spanish and an interest in medical careers serving communities with physician shortages. Students submit the online application themselves, including a personal statement, a recommendation letter, an evaluation form and an unofficial transcript. The 2026-27 deadline was April 10, 2026, and the 2027-28 application cycle opens in January 2027.