Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program

Welcome to PennPREP

The University of Pennsylvania Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PennPREP) offers a highly structured, one-to-two-year research experience for students who have completed their bachelor’s degree and are preparing to pursue a doctoral degree (PhD or MD-PhD) in the biomedical sciences. Designed for individuals who would benefit from dedicated time to strengthen their research expertise, the program provides a full-time, immersive research experience in a biomedical science discipline, complemented by specialized training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. In addition to hands-on laboratory work, PennPREP equips participants with the skills and preparation needed to successfully apply to and excel in competitive graduate programs.

The goal of PennPREP is to provide scholars with a deep understanding of the principles and practices of biomedical research, equipping them with the skills necessary for success in graduate-level studies. The core component of the program is a long-term, mentored research project conducted in the laboratory of an experienced faculty mentor. Throughout the program, PREP scholars will develop critical scientific competencies, including hypothesis development, experimental design, data analysis, and an understanding of their research’s broader impact on the biomedical field.

Beyond laboratory training, PennPREP provides a comprehensive set of resources to prepare scholars for graduate school, including:

  • Research seminars, retreats, and conferences to broaden scientific knowledge and professional networks
  • Optional academic coursework (one course per semester) to enhance scientific expertise
  • Workshops on scientific writing, science communication, public speaking, career development, and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
  • Free standardized test preparation courses (GRE and MCAT)
  • Application assistance, including guidance on personal essays, research statements, and interview preparation
  • Networking and social activities with PREP scholars, program staff, undergraduate interns, graduate students, and lab colleagues
  • Funding to attend one professional conference to present research and engage with the broader scientific community

Program Dates:

  • 2024-2025: June 10, 2024 – May 30, 2025

  • 2025-2026: June 9, 2025 – May 29, 2026


PennPREP provides a rigorous, research-focused environment where scholars can develop the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to thrive in competitive doctoral programs and careers in biomedical science.

Various centers and programs across the university are proud to support PennPREP’s mission. Affiliate programs are based on research interests, and may require additional programming if an applicant is selected to the program.
If interested, applicants may choose to select 1 of the affiliate programs listed below. Selecting an affiliate program on the application is optional. If selected to an affiliate program, all compensation and program expectations are the same. All applicants, regardless of whether they select an affiliate program, are considered for the PREP program.
The 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 affiliate programs are:

  1. Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) - HIV focused research
  2. Institute on Aging - aging and aging-related diseases
  3. Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (pediatric-related research)
  4. Abramson Cancer Center

  • You wish to strengthen your research skills before applying for biomedical doctoral programs
  • You are switching STEM disciplines and wish to gain research skills in a new STEM area (ie: you have a chemistry degree but wish to study immunology and have no prior research experience in immunology)
  • You wish to bolster your academic record prior to applying for biomedical doctoral programs by demonstrating preparedness for graduate level coursework - Holistically would like to develop further as a scientist and scholar prior to applying for biomedical doctoral programs

Mentors are drawn from a group of over 600 faculty associated with Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS) at the University of Pennsylvania. Mentor matching for scholars is based on a variety of factors, including: research interests and mentor/mentee qualities.

Broad areas of research interest include:

June-August

  • Introduction to PREP Scholars, cohort activities (I.e. outings in Philadelphia), and weekly meetings (I.e. journal club, faculty research seminars, research presentations)
  • Introduction to IDEAL Research Fellows who will serve as mentors
  • Start working in lab, meet lab mates and PI
  • Start to formalize an independent project with lab mentor and/or PI
  • Individualized Development Plan (IDP) completion with PI and PREP staff

September-December

  • Continue work in the lab, building upon project from the summer
  • Weekly meetings with PREP cohort, Faculty Co-Directors, and Program Coordinator for PREP
  • Graduate school application preparation
  • Ongoing mentorship from IDEAL Research Fellows
  • Submit graduate school applications
  • Attend and present at academic conference (required once per year)
  • 1 academic course (optional)

January-May

  • Attend graduate school interviews
  • Weekly meetings with PREP cohort, Faculty Co-Directors, and Program Coordinator for PREP
  • Select graduate school program
  • 1 academic course (optional)
  • Present at PREP Symposium in May

Eligibility

  • Only U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible for this program.
  • Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a biomedical science from an accredited U.S. college or university and must have graduated no more than 36 months prior to the program start date.
  • Applicants must not be currently enrolled in a degree program.
  • Those interested in pursuing a PhD in biomedical science must apply to a PhD-granting graduate program within one year of beginning the PREP program.
  • Those interested in pursuing a combined MD-PhD degree must apply to MD-PhD granting medical schools within two years of beginning the PREP program.
  • PREP is not intended for individuals seeking degrees solely in medicine (MD).
  • The program encourages applications from individuals who have had limited exposure, experience, and access to research opportunities, including:
    • First-generation college students
    • Students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds
    • Students attending small liberal arts colleges or universities with fewer research resources
    • Students with demonstrated academic potential, resilience, and a strong commitment to pursuing research careers in the biomedical sciences 

Compensation

PREP scholar receive:

  • a competitive stipend of $39,000
  • health, dental, & vision insurance
  • tuition for one academic course per semester (optional)
  • free standardized test preparation courses (GRE and MCAT - optional)
  • gym membership
  • moving allowance
  • laptop computers
  • and funding to attend one conference.

Application and Admissions Process

Application & Admissions Process:
Applicants may apply directly to PREP through the online application. Applications for PREP 2025-2026 open on October 1st, 2024. All application materials and all letters of recommendations are due by March 1st, 2025 by 11:59 pm Eastern Time. 

Our holistic evaluation process considers all components of the application. The research & personal statement should describe your meaningful research experiences and career goals, highlighting how your personal history and experiences have shaped your motivation to pursue a PhD, as well as the challenges you have overcome in accessing research opportunities. The letters of recommendation should include at least one from a research mentor, preferably the most recent one. The community statement should describe how your personal perspectives will shape and be shaped by engagement with the Penn community.

  • Completed online application form
  • Research & Personal Statement- A statement describing your meaningful research experiences, career goals, & area of research interest and that shares how your personal history, identity, and experiences motivate your choice to pursue a PhD, and the challenges you have overcome to get to this point.
  • Community Statement- A statement describing how your personal perspectives will shape and be shaped by the engagement with the Penn community.
  • Three letters of recommendation from academic faculty or advisors
  • Uploaded copy of your official or unofficial undergraduate transcript (if accepted, official hard copy is required)
  • Resume/CV

  • Create an account in the common application portal for graduate programsat Biomedical Graduate Studies

  • Begin the application with your personal information.

  • You will then be prompted to select which “graduate” program you are applying to. Select “Biomedical Graduate Studies, Perelman School of Medicine”

  • Select “Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)”

  • In the “Program Related Information Section”:

  • Applicants will be asked to select a graduate group of interest. Applicants can refer to the Biomedical Graduate Studies page for more information about graduate groups.

  • If applicants are interested in an affiliate program, applicants can indicate their choice in this section. ** If interested in Abramson Cancer Center Affiliate Program, please select CAMB Cancer Biology as your graduate group area of interest.**

  • In the “Recommendations” section, please provide the contact information for three (3) recommenders. An automated email will be sent to the email address(es) provided for recommenders to submit their letters. All recommendation letters are due by 3/1/24 at 11:59PM.

In a 2-page document (8.5”x11”) with a minimum of 0.5’ margins and at least 11 pt font, describe your meaningful research experiences and career goals, highlighting how your personal history and experiences have shaped your motivation to pursue a PhD, as well as the challenges you have overcome in accessing research opportunities. Please upload your statement with your application.

All PREP applicants are required to upload up-to-date unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended. Transcripts from completed programs should show proof of degree conferral. A final, official transcript showing conferral of degree will be required of all accepted students prior to matriculation.

Three letters of recommendation are required. Try to obtain letters from academic faculty who know you personally and can comment on your academic abilities and your aptitude for research.