Health Careers Program
Do you dream of becoming a doctor, dentist, veterinarian, health care provider or a leader in the scientific community? If you have the drive and the talent, the Health Careers Program (HCP) is here to help you achieve your goals.
The Health Careers Program provides academic support, counseling, and need-based financial assistance to qualified New Jersey residents interested in pursuing health professions and graduate schools — including medical, dental, optometry, podiatry, osteopathic, and veterinary programs.
Through tutoring, mentoring, and specialized workshops, and powerful real-world experiences like nationwide clinical externships and research placements at Montclair State University, HCP gives undergraduates the competitive edge they need to gain admission into top-tier health professions and graduate schools.
Health Careers Program Eligibility
- Must meet the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Income Guidelines
- To determine financial eligibility for the Health Careers Program and to ensure you receive any financial aid assistance for which you may be eligible, submit your Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA). Be sure to list Montclair when you submit your application.
- Must be a U.S citizen or permanent resident and a New Jersey resident
- Demonstrate strong academic potential and genuine interest in science and mathematics
- Have completed the required high school mathematics and science courses for graduation requirements (e.g. Algebra I, Biology, Chemistry, Algebra II, etc.)
- Earn a minimum B average in science and mathematics
- Maintain an average or above average cumulative GPA
- Submitted SAT scores (if available) will be reviewed along with science and math coursework and GPA
- Submitted EOF questionnaire, located in your student application portal.
- Participate in a personal interview (with a parent or guardian) with the Health Careers Program team
Health Careers Program Application Process
The Health Careers Program and the Eight-Year Articulation BS/MD Program is an access program for New Jersey residents only. There are two ways to apply:
Application Deadline: March 1
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Submit your application
Submit your application online and choose Yes for either HCP or BS/MD
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Pay the application fee
After you submit, you'll see instructions on your application page for paying the $65 non-refundable application fee or requisitioning a fee waiver. Application fee waivers are based on financial need. You can review the eligibility criteria in the "Certification & Signature" section of the Montclair application or in the Profile section of the Common Application.
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Submit transcripts
Submit an official high school transcript and letters of recommendation from your counselor.
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Submit SAT/ACT scores (Optional)
Submit official copies of SAT or ACT scores (both are optional). If you are submitting your ACT scores, you must also take the optional writing portion of the test. Students submitting SAT scores should enter our CEEB code (002520). Students submitting ACT scores should enter our ACT school code (2572).
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Submit letters of recommendation
Submit two letters of recommendations from any of the following:
- Mathematics teacher
- Science teacher
- English teacher
- School counselor
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Submit personal statement
Submit your personal statement that includes / answers the following:
- Your intended future health care profession
- Why you want to pursue a career in health care
- Why you are interested in being apart of the Health Careers Program (HCP)
You will be able to upload your essay/personal statement while submitting your application.
If you wish to submit a resume or list of extracurricular activities you’ve participated in for review, you can upload a document with your application or on your status page after submitting your application.
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Interview
Complete a personal interview, along with your parent(s)/ guardian(s), with the Health Careers Program Committee at Montclair State University.
“If a career as a medical professional is something you truly want, you have to be tenacious. There will be times where you’ll be tired and ready to give up. If this is truly your passion, tenacity will be the thing that keeps you on track.”
Dr. Tamara Beckford ’01/03
BS/MS Biology Health Careers Program
Board Certified Emergency Physician in Texas and CEO of URCaringDocs.com
“If you want to have a physician’s insight and also combine that with policy-making to improve public health and societal well-being, you can do that.”
Dr. Yuri Jadotte ’06
BS Molecular Biology, Health Careers Program
Preventative medicine physician and Assistant Professor of Family Population and Preventive Medicine at the Stony Brook School of Medicine
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help.
We are excited to learn more about you and your interest in pursuing a career in health care. We look forward to getting to know you, learning more about your journey, and discovering how HCP can support you along the way!
Tatia Haywood
- Director of Health Careers and Retention Initiatives