Pre-Health Internship Program (PIP)

This program is no longer active and is archived here as an example of past BSP offerings.

Description

The Pre-Health Internship Program (PIP) is for current BSP students who are interested in deepening their experience in health, medicine or related fields. PIP applicants must already have an unpaid volunteer/internship position with a health-related organization on- or off-campus. This can be a new unpaid volunteer/internship position, or a continuing one. The BSP PIP provides stipends to its fellows whose financial need would make such work difficult on an unpaid basis. 

In addition to providing an internship stipend, the PIP facilitates community and fosters a personal and professional network among PIP peers through a variety of co-curricular activities.

PIP participants have the opportunity to:

  • Engage in a paid semester-long volunteer or internship experience
  • Receiving mentoring from the BSP Research Coordinator
  • Attend a series of community building and professional development workshops and seminars
  • Expand one’s personal and professional community network among peer undergraduate interns

The PIP is intended to support undergraduates who demonstrate passion to work in health-related fields. Top candidates are interested in sharing what they have learned about working in a healthcare environment to fellow peers, are willing to deepen their understanding of how their activities may shape their future goals, and are curious to learn more about health careers.

For Fall 2022, we are planning a fully remote program. All PIP requirements can be fulfilled with remote participation. Opportunities to participate in-person may arise. Given the changing landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will follow all university and local public health guidelines and will adjust program activities accordingly.

Selection Process

  1. Students apply to BSP’s PIP. (Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 6, 2022 by 9 a.m. PST) 
  2. Applications reviewed.
  3. Zoom interviews with selected candidates. (September 14-16, 2022)
  4. Decision notifications will be distributed. (September 22, 2022)
  5. PIP student orientation meeting - on Zoom. (Approximate: last week of September)

 Application Components

  • Resume/CV (1 page maximum)
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • Description of past health-related internship/volunteer and work positions
  • Description of current health-related internship/volunteer and work positions
  • Name and email of your internship supervisor(s) (will be verified)
  • Statement of Purpose (500 words or less)
  • Statement of Financial Need (400 words or less)
    • A financial questionnaire to help us efficiently process payments for selected students

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Funding

Through generous funding from the Genentech Foundation, the BSP will support PIP participants with a stipend for one term (fall, spring, or summer) between Fall 2021 and Fall 2022. Students may apply for a second term but priority will be given to those who have never been funded.

The stipend for one semester is $2,500.

Students who are selected to participate in the program will be required to meet with a financial aid advisor to understand how, if at all, this funding may impact your financial aid package. 

PIP Program Dates

The PIP is a one-semester internship program. You must be committed to work on your internship duties for all of the Fall 2022 semester.

Student Eligibility

  1. Currently enrolled BSP student.
  2. Overall GPA of at least 2.7.
  3. Your position must be unpaid; you must not be receiving any other funding or credit for this work
  4. Ability to commit to a semester-long program 
  5. AB 540 students are eligible to apply; please contact Dr. Emily King before applying. 

What We Are Looking For

  • Students for whom financial support would significantly enhance their ability to participate in otherwise unpaid internship/volunteer programs.
  • Individuals who possess a commitment and willingness to share their internship experience with the BSP community and others.
  • Those who clearly demonstrate why this opportunity is important to their overall development as a pre-health professional

Eligible Positions

Students may have an unpaid position with an organization that has a connection to health, medicine, health disparities, and/or directly in medicine.

Examples of some qualifying positions include but are not limited to*:
Berkeley Free Clinic Project White Coat
LifeLong Medical UCSF
Volunteer Health Interpreters Alameda Health System Volunteer
Volunteer Medical Scribe Children's Hospital Oakland

*This is not an exhaustive list of what may be eligible. If you are not sure if your position is eligible, please contact Dr. Emily King at emily_king@berkeley.edu as soon as possible.

Expectations if Selected

Please read carefully before applying. All PIP requirements can be fulfilled with remote participation. Opportunities to participate in-person may come up.

If selected, PIP participants will be expected to:

  • Attend designated BSP workshops/seminars throughout the semester.
  • Meet with the BSP Research Coordinator monthly.
  • Complete program exercises and evaluations.
  • Participate in the end-of-program reflection discussion. Approx. Date: December 5-7
  • Actively engage in professional training, ask questions, and embrace your position and curiosity!

Applications are due Tuesday, September 6, 2022 by 9 a.m. PST. 

Questions?

Check out the FAQs page for PIP. 

For further information, contact Dr. Emily King, BSP Research Coordinator at emily_king@berkeley.edu.