Harpur Healthcare Mentoring Program

Program Overview

The goal of this program is to allow Sophomore, Junior, and Senior pre-health students to experience the realities of medicine. Providing students with the opportunity to match with Harpur Alumni Physicians, Dentists, Veterinarians, and Physician Assistants for a 4 or 8 week shadowing experience. There will be three sessions throughout the year: fall semester, spring semester, and during summer break. All shadowing opportunities during fall and spring will be located in and around the Binghamton area. Opportunities during the summer break will be located in or near the New York Metro area as well as the surrounding Binghamton area.

Information for students

• What to expect

  If participating during the fall or spring semester, students and mentors meet a minimum of 4 times for at least one half day per visit. If you are participating over summer break, you will meet with your mentor a minimum of 8 times for at least one half day per visit.

  The program is structured to ensure success by providing flexibility to meet the needs of each mentor/mentee.  Student participants are required to attend an orientation prior to beginning their experience to review expectations of the program. Each mentor/mentee will then work together to establish goals and plan logistics for their shadowing experience. 

  Meetings are held at the mentor’s office and/or affiliated hospital. Students observe all the ‘typical’ daily activities including patient exams, surgeries, paperwork, phone calls, meetings, etc. Mentors may also arrange for students to shadow fellow practitioners in other specialties to broaden the student’s experience.

  Students are required to journal reflections about their experiences. Students must submit their journal and complete a program evaluation at the conclusion of the experience.  Students will receive a copy of "Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on Imperfect Science" by Atul Gawande to read/review/discuss during their experience. 

  Participation in this program is also noted by Dr. W. Thomas Langhorne, Director of Pre-Health Services, on the student’s medical school evaluation. 

• Prerequisites
  • Must be a full time Harpur College pre-health Sophomore, Junior or Senior
  • Must have a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Must be in good academic and judicial standing at Binghamton University
• How to apply

  Fall 2025 Application is now Open:

  • Submit the application at the link below. Please submit the form to student conduct by the June 18th deadline and request the report be sent to Erin Cody in Harpur Edge erin.cody@binghamton.edu.
  • Deadline to apply is 6/18/25

  HEALTHCARE MENTOR APPLICATION FORM

  Please note: you must be logged in to your binghamton.edu account to access the form.

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  Recomendation:

  • Send the link for the student recommendation Google form to one faculty or staff member at Binghamton University and request completion by the due date. The recommender cannot be an undergraduate student.

  HEALTHCARE MENTOR RECOMMENDATION FORM

  In addition to having a recommendation form and application completed, the student applicant must also complete the Student Conduct Request Form giving Harpur Edge permission to review their behavioral background prior to making final selections for the program.  

  Student Conduct Request Form Application materials due date:

  • Application materials due by 6/18/2025 and applicants will be notified of acceptance on 8/15/2025.
  • All application documents (online application form including resume, conduct form, and recommendation form) must be received on or before the deadline in order for the application to be considered.
• Additional Information
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation.
  • Students will not receive academic credit or pay for particpation in the program.
  • If financial support is needed for participation, please indicate this on your application, we want to make this program accessible. All students requesting funding will need to upload and submit an itemized list in the application of how you intend to use the support.
  • Students who wish to participate in this program and who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that they will be asked about their prior criminal history. This may impede your ability to participate. Students who have concerns about such matters, or are looking for additional information, are advised to contact the dean's office of their intended academic program.

Contact Information

Erin Cody

Director, Harpur Edge

Harpur College of Arts and Sciences; Harpur Edge

erin.cody@binghamton.edu

607-777-4278

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