Advanced LEAP Scholars participate in a long-term MCAH undergraduate curriculum that includes MCAH coursework, a summer internship, and a research fellowship. Advanced LEAP Scholars will receive academic and professional support from LEAP, including but not limited to advanced leadership training, guidance on the graduate school application process, and mentorship/advising opportunities with graduate students and faculty.
Advanced LEAP Scholar Program Requirements
Each Advanced LEAP Scholar is expected to complete the following training program requirements:
MCAH Coursework (may overlap with major requirements)
- MCAH Core Course (PBHLTH 110A: Introduction to MCAH (3 units) offered every Spring semester, formerly PBHLTH 196, SEC 7 Spring 2022-24)
- MCAH Foundational Content Elective (1-4 units)
- MCAH Social Determinants of Health Elective (1-4 units)
MCAH Leadership Training
- Spring Leadership Retreat on Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 9:30am to 1:30pm
- Cohort Meetings on Wednesdays weekly from 6:00 - 7:30 PM in Spring 2026, Fall 2026, & Spring 2027
- PB HLTH 155D: Preparation for Public Health Practice and Leadership Seminar (3 units) in Fall 2026 (highly recommended) or alternative LEAP-specific leadership training)
- Cascading Mentorship Pod with graduate student and faculty mentors
MCAH Summer Internship (Summer 2026)
- Virtual Summer Bridge Workshop Series (5 sessions from June - July)
- MCAH Summer Internship (160 hours total, typically completed part-time over two months or one month full-time; fellowship award eligible)
MCAH Research Fellowship
- One-semester research fellowship focused on an MCAH topic
- Optional Honors Thesis focused on an MCAH topic
- $1500 fellowship award eligible
Application Information
The 2025 Advanced LEAP Scholars application is open to undergraduate Public Health students in their final two years at UC Berkeley (EGT: December 2026, May 2027, August 2027, December 2027). Students who are accepted this Fall 2025 cycle commit to the Advanced LEAP Scholar curriculum until graduation.
Application Link: https://forms.gle/NpNLcz8MuVjxskb37
Application Deadline: November 3, 2025, 11:59 PM PT
If you have any questions and/or concerns, please contact the Program Manager, Tina Lu, at leap_program@berkeley.edu.(link sends e-mail)
Applying to the Public Health major this cycle? Junior/transfer students applying to the Public Health major during the Fall 2025 application cycle (December 17 - 31) are eligible and encouraged to apply as Advanced LEAP Scholars. Acceptance as an Advanced LEAP Scholar is conditional upon acceptance to the Public Health major. The LEAP program team will work with scholars and provide support with the Public Health major application process.
Advanced LEAP Scholar Application Requirements
- Public Health Undergraduate Student in their final two years at UC Berkeley at the time of application (EGT December 2026, May 2027, August 2027, December 2027)
- Resume/CV (1-2 pages) that can include opportunities that you have been involved in that are related to your specific interest in Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health. Opportunities can range from involvement in jobs, internships, research, volunteering, student organizations, etc.
- Short Response Questions:
- How have your lived experiences shaped your interests and goals as related to MCAH?
- What do you hope to achieve with our program personally or professionally that you can’t with a different program?
- LEAP aims to prepare diverse future leaders in the service of MCAH populations, please describe a time when you centered cultural responsiveness/humility when working with a community or group?
Academic Integrity & Ethics: Please note that the review committee expects applicant responses to be generated and written by the applicant. Submitting content that was generated by another resource, including AI programs such as ChatGPT, is not acceptable. The short response questions are a space for applicants to draw on their own personal experiences and ideas, highlight any lived, professional, and/or academic experiences and how they align with MCAH.
Resources
- Visit Berkeley Career Engagement(link is external) for resume and cover letter resources
- Visit the LEAP Peer Advising Calendar(link is external) to meet with a LEAP Peer Ambassador
- 2023 LEAP One Pager Summary & Program Impact
- 2025 LEAP One Pager Summary & Program Impact