Are you an Undergraduate Student looking for a summer experience?

As we head into February, many undergraduate students are looking for a job, internship, or worthwhile experience. Columbia University has a free summer program for minority (I honestly hate that word to lump up everyone who is not an Anglo Saxon Christian Male) students interested in Public Health.

According to the website: 

"THE SUMMER PUBLIC HEALTH SCHOLARS PROGRAM (SPHSP)

The Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP) is designed for undergraduate students to increase interest and knowledge of public health and biomedical science careers. SPHSP is a partnership between Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University School of Nursing and the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Together they represent the broad spectrum of public health practice. SPHSP grant funding was awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of the Director, Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE).

The program is designed for undergraduates in their sophomore or junior year, and recent baccalaureate degree students, who are undecided about their career goals and who have a minimal GPA of 2.5. The program includes Public Health course work at Columbia University; hands-on field experience and immersion in a diverse, economically disadvantaged urban environment; seminars and lectures with public health leaders, and mentoring by faculty members, ensuring students exposure to the breadth and importance of public health as a career option.

Program Offering Include:

SPHSP is a ten week summer program that begins May 28, 2012 and ends August 3, 2012. Program offering include:

• Orientation: One week Orientation at Columbia University Medical Center. During this orientation, scholars will be introduced to their mentors, their field placement sites and the field of public health. During the second week, students will participate in a one week Orientation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention IN Atlanta, GA.
• GRE Preparation Course: Students will participate in a GRE Preparation course provided by Kaplan
• Field Experience/Mentoring: Scholars will be paired with health professional mentors of various health disciplines in a public health setting. Each of the selected students will be interviewed by the Program Coordinator to determine the most appropriate placement. Students will work under the guidance and supervision of their mentors, 3 days a week for eight weeks, gaining direct exposure to the practice of public health.
• Field Trips: Scholars will have the opportunity to go on supervised field trips once a week to various communities throughout the New York City metropolitan area to observe public health interventions and programs in operation.
• Academic Enrichment: Scholars will attend 3 lectured base courses one day a week for eight weeks. The courses are: 1) Introduction to Public Health, 2) Introduction to Epidemiology and 3) Health Disparities and Cultural Competence. The courses will be facilitated by Columbia University Medical Center faculty from all four health science schools. Scholars will work in small groups with their Teaching Assistants to discuss practical application of class work. Students will work on current health problem or issues using “real” case studies. Lectures will be held at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons.
• Stipend: Stipend will be provided to all program participants.
• Travel: Each scholar will be provided with round trip travel.
• Housing: Housing will be provided to all students.

Program Eligibility

• Students who will have completed at least two years of college at the beginning of the program
• Recent college graduates (after April 2011) who have not been accepted into a graduate program
• Program Students with an Associate degree must provide proof of acceptance into a four-year institution
• African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, people with disabilities, and economically-disadvantaged individuals are encouraged to apply.
• Minimum GPA of 2.5

Application Guidelines

To apply for admission into SPHSP, please complete the application by no later than Tuesday, February 14, 2012."

God speed and good luck! 
I have included the weblink below. 
http://www.oda-ps.cumc.columbia.edu/programs/about_sphsp.html