Urban Bridges Medical Mentoring Physician Pipeline Program Application

Welcome to the first step on being selected as a mentee for the I am Abel Foundation Urban Bridges Medical Mentoring program. The application for this program is open annually from December 1st through February 15th.

This application will take about 1-1.5 hr to complete. Please be advised that you must have your complete documents on hand before beginning the application.  PRIOR TO SUBMISSION, PLEASE PRINT AND SAVE YOUR APPLICATION AS A PDF IN CASE THERE ARE ISSUES WITH SUBMISSION!  That way you will have a copy of your application on hand for manual resubmission.  This is important!

After submitting your application, selected students will be invited for an interview by the Admission's Director.

If you are NOT selected to move forward with an interview, you will be notified no later than April 15th with this decision.  Interviews are scheduled based on availability and on a rolling basis based on date of application. Early submissions are encouraged. 

The interview session will last for about 30 mins with a panel of at least 3 interviewers consisting of the Admission coordinator, Student coordinator, a member of the Board of Directors and also may include one medical faculty or medical student as well as one of our mentees.

I Am Abel Foundation does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender identity or other factors. I Am Abel Foundation is a very diverse group of students, physicians, volunteers and supporters whose mission is to raise the next generation of healthcare heroes. Our mission is focused on promoting opportunity for those who are in need ams that share our mission to close healthcare gaps for vulnerable persons of all races, religions, ethnicities and creed by raising a cohort of amazing students passionate about the true ministry of health.  We are focused on building community both from within as well as around us.  

 

CLOSING HEALTHCARE GAPS IN MEDICINE

We believe that medicine and society are inextricably tied and that true healing can only occur when we acknowledge the intersection between community and medicine. We are therefore committed to mentoring future physician leaders and scientists that have a heart to change, heal and to serve fractured communities. The mission of I Am Abel Foundation is to identify, engage and curate the large pool of untapped gifts, talent and intellect amongst our Chicago area students as well as students nationwide from vulnerable populations in medicine, with the singular goal of raising our next generation of Healthcare Heroes. It is our fervent belief that through our pre-clinical, academic, research and mentoring pipeline programs, we will close the healthcare and death gaps that selectively impact vulnerable communities resulting in poor and even devastating healthcare outcomes. In full alignment with the AAMC, I Am Abel Foundation seeks to especially support groups in need of concentrated resources.

Application Instructions

Must be a college student at least 18 years of age, post bacc student or college graduate. This program will focus on students from the Greater Chicagoland area but is open to college or post-bacc students from outside of the Chicagoland area as well.

There is a Minimum GPA requirement of 3.00 (some exceptions may apply using the AMCAS calculator (not transcript GPA).  For exceptions you these or other requirements,  inquire in writing at applications@iamabel.org).  Please see this link to the AMCAS calculator

https://students-residents.aamc.org/media/7761/download

 

TWO short essays are also required:

I Am Abel Foundation is raising the next generation of healthcare heroes. As such we are looking for well rounded students that are committed to humanitarian service and creating change in their communities.

This is a a key expectation of our mentees and how our program is quite different from other programs that focus only on scholastic achievements.

Question 1
Please share with us your interests in medicine and how you believe being a part of I Am Abel Foundation will help you reach your goals in medicine. Please also share with us why you believe a commitment to humanitarian service is important for any future physician (1000 words or less)

Question 2
Please tell us your vision of a healthcare system that addresses healthcare disparities and inequalities in medicine and how diversity in medicine can be one tool to bring about desperately needed change.

You are welcome to use AI for editing, proofreading, or improving clarity on work that you have already written, but the core ideas, structure, and content must be your own. Essays generated entirely by AI will not be accepted.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

A clear photograph showing your face (Prefer proffessional photo)
• A copy of your academic transcript (College or last trancript)
• A letter of recommendation from your teacher or college professor
• Must be willing to attend an interview session with the Admission team
• If you are under 18 years (incoming college freshman) of age you must have your parent’s permission to participate in our program
• Must be willing to fully participate in the program for at least two years, attend the orientation, and be actively involved in all activities including the Saturday morning professor lecture series and shadowing opportunities with your mentor.

If you have any difficulty uploading a photo or file (i.e. photo, transcripts, etc...), email those items attached to an email to the attention of applications@iamabel.org. In the subject, write "Application Documents For Urban Bridges Medical Mentoring Program"

 

Terms & Conditions

By clicking "Submit", I attest that all of the information enclosed with my  application is correct to the best of my knowledge and grant the I Am Abel Foundation permission to contact my letter of recommendation writer or school.