This program is designed for college students who are planning to become doctors. 

You must demonstrate your dedication to becoming a competitive applicant by participating in comprehensive program services that support your journey toward medical school. 

Program overview

• Introductory 8-week summer program offering virtual and hybrid options
• Individualized audit of experiences, academic records, courses and other suggested areas needed to be a competitive applicant for medical school
• Research training, mentorship, projects, poster presentations and writing for publication
• MCAT test preparation workshops and courses
• Networking and shadowing with physicians, researchers and healthcare professionals
• Mentoring from medical students and staff
• Clinical skills, case study projects and outreach opportunities
• Year-round advising, invitations to Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine workshops and quarterly check-ins

Application requirements and dates

• College students in their freshman or sophomore year who are interested in becoming future physicians can apply to this program. 
• Application, essay and interview are required.
• Students who meet one or more "underserved" categories will be given preference in the selection process. 
• Preference is given to students who are economically under-resourced and/or underrepresented in medicine.
• A GPA of 2.5 or better is required.

Are you an undergraduate student interested in a career in mental, behavioral or clinical counseling? This program is for you.

About the program

The Pathways to Counseling Externship Program, funded by Booth Ferris Foundation, offers you a comprehensive introduction to mental, behavioral and clinical counseling fields. Each month, you’ll be immersed into different specialty areas and gain insight into possible future careers. Attend one in-person Saturday session each month at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine from October through May, followed by a 6-week intensive hybrid research program in June and July. You’ll benefit from:

• Exposure to many specialty areas in counseling, clinical skills, case study reviews and professional development activities
• Mentoring and networking with professionals in counseling, psychology and psychiatry 
• Engagement in cutting-edge research projects alongside Geisinger faculty, where you’ll gain practical experience and academic insight
• Participation in poster presentations and writing for publication
• Career pathway planning and advisement
• A transcript of all program workshops, projects and research with the possibility of school credit

Eligibility

• Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 ("B") or higher.
• Applicants must have completed at least 40 credits at the time of application.
• Applicants must be undergraduate students currently enrolled full-time.

Our curriculum (monthly specialty areas of counseling):

• Rehabilitation Counseling
• Addiction Counseling
• Mental Health Counseling
• Genetic Counseling
• Family and Marriage Counseling
• Veterans Counseling
• Woman’s Health Counseling

Important deadlines

• Application opens Sept. 1, 2024.
• All application materials must be submitted by Sept. 30, 2024.
• Applicants will be notified of a decision by Oct. 15, 2024.

Contacts

• Poul Chinga, program lead (pachinga@geisinger.edu) 
• Rithika Reddy, program assistant (rareddy@geisinger.edu)