Junior Health Scholar Admissions

Admissions Process

1. Establish eligibility
   Scholars must be accepted to or enrolled in high school and be 16-17 years old by the application deadline for the entering cohort they wish to enroll in. If you are accepted into the program you will be required to attend a mandatory 2-day training where we will provide you with all the information you need to be a successful Junior Health Scholar.
   Important Note Regarding Eligibility:

   Our client site partners have varying rules and regulations about an individual holding more than one role or title in their hospital, clinic, or health system. For example, some sites may not allow current volunteers and employees to be concurrently enrolled as a Health Scholar, while other sites may allow concurrent enrollment and employment/volunteer engagement as long as certain guidelines are followed. If you are currently employed by or volunteer for a site where you wish to enroll as a Health Scholar, please reach out to admissions@copehealthscholars.org for more information about your site of interest.

2. Complete your application.
   You can apply online here. We recommend you write your essays before beginning your online application. You can view the essay questions here.
3. Interview
   If you are qualified based on your online application, you will be invited to interview. Interviews help us get to know you. We’re looking for personable, confident and articulate students who will create positive experiences with patients and the care delivery team. Interviews typically take place in a small group setting, a multiple mini interview format or online via Skype. Please be dressed in professional attire and note that the interviews do start as scheduled.
4. Schedule a clearance appointment
   During your clearance appointment, we’ll make sure all of your site’s screening requirements have been met. Be prepared to bring your immunization/titer records, health insurance information and CPR certification to your appointment.
5. Pay your tuition
   You’ll receive an email with a link to pay your tuition. View tuition & fees here.
6. Attend training
   You will need to attend the 2 days of training in full, where you will learn about care team communication skills, hospital codes, patient experience, regulatory standards, the basics of U.S. health care, and more. In order to continue in the program and begin your first shift, you must first pass a written exam.
7. Start the program. Congratulations! You are now a Junior Health Scholar!

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Requirements

• Health Insurance
  All students must carry personal health insurance that meets “minimum essential coverage” as defined by Affordable Care Act (ACA). Students are not covered by COPE Health Solutions’ nor the program site’s worker’s compensation insurance.
• Immunizations
  Current immunizations are required of all students. These requirements vary somewhat by site. Specific instructions on immunization requirements will be provided when you interview for the program. General immunization records and/or titers include:
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella (chicken pox)
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap)
  • Tuberculosis (TB) Screening
  • Seasonal Flu Vaccine (October – May)
  • Be prepared to possibly have titers taken – this involves a blood test to check your immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases. Titers are required by some, but not all, program sites.
• Health Screenings
  Additional health screenings are required at some program sites. Information will be provided at the time you interview and at clearance appointments.
• Fitness for Duty
  All COPE Health Scholars programs enforce substance-free learning environments. Drug testing may be required at some program sites. Information will be provided to you at clearance appointments.

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Essay Questions

We recommend you write your essays outside of the online application and copy/paste them into the online application when you are ready to submit.  There is a requirement of 100 – 1000 characters.

1. How does this program fit into your overall career goal?

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