Scrubs, Gloves & Microscopes - Health Careers Center, University of Minnesota

The Scrubs, Gloves & Microscopes (SGM) program is a “hands-on” health career exploration opportunity for high school students currently in grades 9-12. A different health career is featured each month throughout the school year.

Scrubs, Gloves & Microscopes gives students like you the opportunity to briefly experience life in the health profession you wish to explore. Each half-day session lasts about 3 - 4 hours. During your session, you will learn from students and professionals in the field, participate in a hands-on experience, and discover important next steps for pursuing your featured career.

Look at the 2008-09 SGM Program Schedule for a full list of the programs, details and to see which session you're most interested in.

To apply to a session, first find a session you would like to attend by looking at the program schedule. Then complete the all of the following forms and send them to the address listed below. Don't forget to have your parent/guardian sign them where required!
    1) SGM Application
    2) Photo Release Form
    3) Lab Permission Form

Mail or fax your completed application and forms to:

        Health Careers Center, U of MN
        Attn: SGM
        420 Delaware St SE, MMC 502
        Minneapolis, MN 55455
        Fax: 612-624-4415

When applying to the program, please note that:

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are encouraged to submit their application early; some sessions fill up quickly! All applicants will be notified by email regarding their participation status on the date listed at the bottom of each session description.
You must be current high school students in a grade 9-12 to attend.
Preference will be given to students with a 3.0+ GPA.
Only completed applications will be processed, so please make sure you turn in all of the required forms.
Write legibly on your forms and use pen (not pencil) to complete your forms. Remember, if we cannot read your email address or phone number, it may prevent us from contacting you about your application!

Program Fee
Each SGM session costs $25. This fee covers our administrative costs of organizing and planning the SGM sessions and helps reserve your spot in the session. Please do not send money at the time of your application. The $25 non-refundable session reservation fee is due upon notification of acceptance into a session. If the program fee is a barrier to you attending, please contact us at 612-624-6767. In cases of financial hardship, we may be able to waive the program fee.

Why should I apply for one of the SGM sessions?
Lots of reasons. If you are interested in a health career, especially one of our featured careers, SGM will give you a real chance to learn more about that career, and the academics that will get you into a health professions school. You will get to know the University of Minnesota campus, meet health care professionals and students, and participate in a “hands-on” experience that will provide insight into your career of interest.

Who can attend?
SGM seeks motivated students who are interested in exploring health careers. Ideal applicants are high school students (grades 9-12) who are taking college prep classes and upper-level math and science courses, and plan to apply to a four year college/university.

Can my parent or guardian attend the program as well?
I’m sure we would enjoy your parents if we had the chance to spend time with them. However, your parents are not able to attend the SGM session with you. The programs are intended for a high school audience and we have limited space in some of the labs and areas of campus that we visit. If your parent will be waiting for you on campus until the SGM program is finished, they are welcome to spend time on campus. We are able to recommend coffee shops or fun places on campus (such as Coffman Memorial Union) where they could work from their computer or simply enjoy the campus.

Why is GPA important?
The health careers explored in SGM require a four-year college degree or more. Preference is given to students who have strong GPAs (3.0 minimum). Your high school GPA is one indicator that you are motivated, involved, and doing well in school. These are the same qualities that will be required as an undergraduate student and as someone who would eventually pursue a path into what are competitive health professional programs.

How many programs can I sign up for?
Although you may have multiple health career interests, you can only attend one (1) session per academic year. The hands-on nature of our programming and the classroom/lab space we use limit us in the number of students we can admit for each session. We want to accommodate as many students as possible from a wide variety of high schools.

When do I find out if I have been accepted into a session?
If you are accepted into the program, you will receive an email detailing information about transportation and parking options, as well as a schedule of your SGM session. See our registration and notification dates for each of the programs.

How do I get out of school to attend?
After participation, the Health Careers Center will provide a signed “Absence Form”; you can provide this form to your school to account for your half-day absence from classes.

Do we provide transportation?
No. Transportation must be provided by you, your family, or your high school.

Where is the program held?
The program is held at the Health Careers Center, University of Minnesota. The Health Careers Center is in Moos Health Sciences Tower on the east bank of the campus. If you are accepted into the program you will receive detailed information about transportation and parking options.

Who should I contact with questions?
Contact the Health Careers Center by calling 612-624-6767 or emailing simps132@umn.edu

Scrubs, Gloves & Microscopes, Health Careers Center at the University of Minnesota