The University of Iowa Health Sciences Summer Experience
The University of Iowa Health Sciences Summer Experience, in partnership with GEAR UP Iowa, offers rising 10th-grade students a week-long, residential experience designed to inspire the next generation of health care leaders. This immersive program provides hands-on exposure to careers in medicine, nursing, research, and other health-related fields. Participants will engage directly with health care professionals at our state-of-the-art facilities and take part in interactive activities, mentorship opportunities, and college readiness workshops. Throughout the week, students will explore academic pathways, build essential skills, and gain valuable insights into the world of health sciences.
LOCATION
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
PROGRAM DATES
July 12 – 17, 2026
PROGRAM COSTS
FREE!
Travel to Iowa City for the student, on-campus housing, meals, activities, and 1-credit of college coursework will be covered by the University of Iowa and GEAR UP Iowa.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
February 13, 2026
Accepted students will be notified at the end of February.
More about the Experience
Students will engage directly with University of Iowa faculty and staff through hands-on activities, panel discussions, and interactive workshops. During the program, participants will live on campus in residence halls alongside current University of Iowa students who will serve as mentors and guides. Evening activities will offer additional opportunities for students to build connections, explore campus life, and experience what it’s like to be part of the Hawkeye community. Specific building and itinerary will be distributed to accepted students and their families.
Students who are accepted to the program will need to confirm participation, be asked to provide additional information (e.g. t-shirt size, dietary needs) and adhere to University of Iowa’s Residence Hall policies and code of student life.
If you are a student with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please let the University of Iowa Health Sciences Summer Experience team know at GEARUP-UI@uiowa.edu.
What IS health science?
Health sciences is a broad and dynamic field dedicated to understanding the human body, improving health, and enhancing quality of life through research, innovation, and patient care. Students who pursue health sciences explore how science, technology, and collaboration come together to prevent illness, promote wellness, and treat disease. This field includes a wide range of disciplines and career paths.
Health Sciences can include medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, public health, biomedical engineering. Students participating in the University of Iowa Health Sciences Summer Experience will have the opportunity to learn and engage with staff and faculty from:
- The Carver College of Medicine blends education in the classroom, hospitals and clinics, training in the laboratory, in the development of doctors, physician assistants, physical therapists and researchers.
- The College of Dentistry is a leading institution in dental education and research. It offers a comprehensive Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program that prepares students for professional dental practice immediately after graduation.
- The College of Pharmacy advances distinction in pharmacy education, discovery, and healthcare delivery, training the highest quality pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.
- The College of Public Health helps people live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. Focusing on prevention instead of treating the symptoms of disease, public health strives to improve health for entire populations through environmental health professionals, health administrators, outbreak investigators, and community health needs assessors.
- The College of Nursing has a rich history of preparing nurses for clinical practice, generating scientific knowledge and evidence for practice, and leading systems of health care by educating nurses, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse leaders.
- The College of Engineering: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering links biology, medicine, and engineering to improve human health by consulting to work on prosthetic devices, work with new materials for implants and perform computer analysis on medical images and structures as a biomedical engineer.
What you will learn
By the end of the University of Iowa Health Sciences Summer Experience, students will:
- Understand diverse health science career paths and required academic preparation.
- Identify actionable steps for high school and beyond.
- Build connections with UI faculty, staff, and student mentors.
- Clarify personal academic and career goals.
- Access resources that support long-term academic success and family engagement.
