The Summer Medical Academy (SMA) is for students who have an interest in pursuing a career in healthcare. Highly motivated and enthusiastic students who will be between 15-19 years old in June of the program year AND have completed 9th grade (up until the summer after graduating 12th grade) are eligible to apply. Eligibility does not guarantee acceptance to the program. SMA Students are accepted with the following key application criteria in mind: unique short answer & essay responses; enthusiasm for healthcare; academic success; extracurricular involvement and service; teacher recommendation. Consideration will also be given to the following: geographic proximity to San Diego, last grade completed in school, and affiliation with RCHSD. Details and payment instructions will be included in acceptance letters. Proceeds from the Medical Academy benefit the FACES for the Future-San Diego program at Rady Children’s and are partially tax-deductible.
Learning, Doing, Sharing – The application and enrollment period for the 2023 Summer Medical Academy is now open! Please follow the link below to submit your application through the online portal.
Applications are now closed
Summer Medical Academy Application
Mail teacher recommendation form to:
Rady Children’s-Center for Healthier Communities
Attention: Summer Medical Academy
3020 Children’s Way, MC 5073 | San Diego, CA 92123-4282
2023 PROGRAM DATES:
Session 1: June 19-30; Session 2: July 10-21, 2023
Cost: $2,800* and covers all course, lab, and program materials; t-shirts and scrub pants; and daily lunch. Parking at Rady Children’s is included, but other locations are TBD.
Applications are due Friday, February 24, 2023, COB. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance on or around March 24, 2023.
*Please note transportation, accommodations, and visa applications are not provided or coordinated by our program.
Are there scholarships available?
Summer Medical Academy scholarships are only available through the generosity of donors to the RCHSD Foundation. We are actively seeking donations, but do not currently have any scholarship funds available.
Beginning with the 2019 Summer Medical Academy, only students who participate in a Health Career Pathway program from the following Title I San Diego County high schools (with their corresponding school district) are eligible to apply for the MA scholarships, when available.
San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD)
- Hoover High School
- Crawford High School
- Kearny High School
- Clairemont High School
- Mira Mesa High School
- San Diego Science and Technology School
- Canyon Hills High School
- The Preuss School
Escondido Union High School District (EUHSD)
- Del Lago Academy
Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD)
- Castle Park High School
- Chula Vista High School
- Hilltop High School
- Mar Vista High School
- Montgomery High School
- San Ysidro High School
- Southwest High School
- Sweetwater High School
Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD)
- El Cajon Valley High School
- Mount Miguel High School
- Monte Vista High School
Oceanside Unified School District (OUSD)
- Oceanside High School
Students who do not attend one of the above-mentioned schools but are in financial need are welcome to apply for funds from private donors, foundations, or other organizations. Private scholarships will be accepted* and credited towards the tuition cost in the same way as a personal payment.
*Please note that secured financial assistance does not mean automatic acceptance into the RCHSD Summer Medical Academy.