Frequently Asked Questions

No, our program encourages students from all majors to apply. Public health experience (academic or professional) is not required to be eligible to apply.
Public Health is an interdisciplinary field and values different perspectives.
Yes, any student who attends a U.S. or U.S. territory institution is eligible to apply.
Yes, community college graduates or transfers to four-year institutions are eligible to apply.
No, regardless of credit hours or standing, all applicants must have completed two years of undergraduate education by the start of the program to be eligible to participate.
The funding for this program requires participants to meet all of the following criteria:
- U.S. citizen, national, or resident (DACA recipients are eligible)
- Authorized to work in the U.S.
- Attend U.S. or U.S. territory institution
Yes, you are welcome to apply.
However, if you are accepted into a graduate program before the start of our program, you will no longer be eligible to participate. We will confirm eligibility prior to the program.
Our program will send decision letters by March 2026.
Unfortunately, no. Only those who graduated in Fall 2025, Winter 2026 or Spring 2026 are eligible.

The timing of your submission is not considered during review. We do not begin reviewing applications until February. As long as you submit your application on time, it will be given equal consideration regardless of when it was submitted.
- Your two letters of recommendation should come from individuals who can speak about your strengths. The recommenders do not need to have a background in public health. Common choices include professors or supervisors from work or internships.
- Recommenders should not be family members or friends.
You only need to provide the transcript from your current or most recent institution. If accepted into the program you will provide an official transcript.
Yes, we notify all applicants about the status of their application by the end of March.

No, we are seeking applicants that can be present for the full eight weeks of the program.
Scholars that do not live within a 300-mile radius of UCLA will have their transportation to and from Los Angeles arranged by the program team.
Checked luggage, local mileage and transportation to and from the airport will not be reimbursed.
Scholars will be housed at the UCLA campus dormitories at no cost. The Public Health Scholars team arranges rooming assignments.
More details will be provided to selected scholars in the Spring.
Scholars receive a $4,000 stipend distributed in two installments (subject to completion of the program).
Additionally, the program provides scholars with:
- Housing and partial meal plan (breakfast/dinner)
- Public transit (Metro Tap Card)
- Transportation to LA for scholars who live more than 300-mile from UCLA
It is the scholar’s discretion how the stipend is allocated for personal use. Scholars should plan to set aside a portion of this stipend for essential summer programming costs like meals that are not covered and transportation.