How to apply
From interest to exam lane
One application, three levels. Review the eligibility self check, gather your materials, and complete the compliance checklist before your first clinical day.
Step one
Eligibility at a glance
Level 1
Discovery Scholars
High school students, grades 11 to 12
- • Currently enrolled in grades 11 to 12 with a demonstrated interest in health careers
- • Parent or guardian consent and liability waiver for scholars under 18
- • Completed HIPAA training and signed confidentiality agreement before any clinical contact
Level 2
Pre Med Scholars
College and university students, including SNMA MAPS chapters
- • Enrolled undergraduate students on a prehealth pathway; SNMA MAPS members encouraged
- • HIPAA training, confidentiality agreement, and liability waiver on file
- • Immunization documentation (Hepatitis B, TB, COVID 19 per practice policy)
Level 3
Clinical Scholars
Medical students MS1 to MS4, including an elective option for MS3 to MS4
- • Enrolled medical students in good standing; SNMA members encouraged
- • MS1 to MS4 may enroll for elective credit with home school approval
- • Robust ophthalmologist exposure
Step two
Application requirements
- Personal statement (500 to 750 words) on your interest in eye care and community
- Current transcript (unofficial accepted at the application stage)
- One letter of recommendation from a teacher, professor, or physician
- Brief interview with program leadership (virtual, 20 minutes)
Step three
Process & timeline
All year around opportunities as available
Application cycle opens for the summer intensive
Application deadline, personal statement, transcript, and recommendation letter
10 min virtual interview with program leadership
Offers issued; compliance onboarding begins in the scholar portal
Orientation, HIPAA training, and mentor pairing
Eight week summer intensive
Sample summer intensive schedule
- Weeks 1 to 2, Orientation, HIPAA certification, eye anatomy and physiology, clinic etiquette (As available)
- Weeks 3 to 4, Diagnostic technology training: acuity, tonometry, OCT, visual fields (As available)
- Weeks 5 to 6, Clinical shadowing rotations and community screening volunteering (As available)
- Week 7, Ambulatory surgery center orientation and surgical observation (As available)
- Week 8, Deliverables: journal submission, final presentation, exit survey (As available)
Step four
Compliance checklist
Every item must be complete and on file before a scholar enters a clinical or surgical space. Documents are uploaded and stored in the secure scholar portal.
- Potential record recommendation
- Robust eyecare experience
- Immunization documentation: Hepatitis B, TB, COVID 19 per host practice policy
- Liability waiver, parent or guardian signature required for minors
- Signed observer agreement with the host practice
Waiver path self check
Questions
Frequently asked questions
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Scholar application
Carry the standard forward
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