Penn Access Summer Scholars

Penn Access Summer Scholars (PASS) at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is a highly selective program for sophomores at Princeton, Haverford College, the University of Pennsylvania, Howard University, Morehouse College, Oakwood University, Spelman College, and Xavier University. 

HPA advisers nominate finalists to Perelman, and Perelman faculty make the final selection of PASS Scholars. Participants stay in close contact with HPA advisers, who support them in the linkage process to Penn Med in their senior year.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Sophomore (rising junior) at Princeton
  • Minimum 3.5 science and cumulative GPA.
  • Applicants from a racial/ethnic group underrepresented in medicine, from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and/or those who are the first in their family to pursue higher education or medicine are especially encouraged to apply..

Application Procedure

All applicants must submit:

  • Resume including significant high school and college activities
  • PASS Application
  • Short essay responses
  • One letter of recommendation from a Princeton professor, preceptor or adviser who can speak to the applicant's academic abilities and readiness for a career in medicine. Up to one additional letter may be submitted.
student at Penn Med

Korlekuor Akiti '19 at Penn

PASS in the News

PASS Brochure (pdf, updated 2023)

Application Materials

2023-24 PASS Application Instructions

Guidelines for applicants to the PASS program for Summer 2024, including eligibility requirements.

2023-24 PASS Application

Google Doc version of PASS application.

  • Application deadline: January 16, 2024
  • Letters of recommendation deadline: January 29, 2024

PASS Timeline

January  2024 Application, resume, essays due to HPA
  HPA interviews selected applicants
  Letter(s) of recommendation due to HPA
February 2024 PASS applications forwarded to U Penn
Summer 2024 First PASS summer research experience
2024-25 PASS Scholars meet with Princeton HPA advisers to discuss summer experiences and academic progress.
Summer 2025 Second PASS research summer experience
January 2026 PASS Scholars participate in HPA Preapplication & Committee Letter process
Fall 2026 Linkage students matriculate at Penn