HIGH AIMS provides academic, career, and mentoring support to AAP students who are interested in gaining admission to health profession schools. High AIMS Scholars develop effective strategies to be successful in gateway science courses and are supported for two years. Students in their first or second undergraduate year are encouraged to apply. High AIMS Scholars are required to participate in internships, research, Saturday Career seminars, program meetings, community service activities and workshops. HIGH AIMS is administered by UCLA PRIME-LA, in partnership with AAP.
High AIMS Advisory Committee
- Dr. Gerardo Moreno
UCLA PRIME
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA - Esmeralda Trejo
Project Director | UIM Center of Excellence
UCLA Health | Department of Family Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine - Dr. Edmond Hewlett, Professor
Associate Dean of Outreach and Diversity
UCLA School of Dentistry - Dr. Vicki Mays, Professor
Department of Health Services
UCLA School of Public Health & Special Advisor to the Chancellor on Black Life
- Dr. Alice Ho
Director of McNair Research Scholars Program
UCLA Academic Advancement Program - Dr. Kenrik Duru
Associate Professor in Residence
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA - Dr. Kyle McJunkin
Assistant Dean, Academic Programs
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health - Dr. Elizabeth Yzquierdo
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
UCLA School of Nursing
High AIMS Spring Recruitment Timeline:
INFORMATION SESSIONS Coming Spring 2026
Application Opens – Spring Quarter
Students interested in High AIMS should email Program Administrator, Esmeralda Trejo, at ENTrejo@mednet.ucla.edu
to join email list and be notified when applications open.
For More Information
For any questions or concerns, please contact High AIMS Program Administrator, Esmeralda Trejo, via email at entrejo@mednet.ucla.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an AAP student to apply?
- High AIMS is only open to AAP students. You can apply to join AAP by visiting the Becoming An AAP Member page.
For the letter of recommendation from a TA/professor, can a research mentor/PI letter of rec replace it?
- Yes, if they can speak to your academic ability/experiences.
For the letter of recommendation from a counselor, can it be someone who is a mentor such as a person in graduate school or a counselor from high school?
- Yes, please consider who can write you the strongest letter and speak to your ability to succeed in a program like High AIMS at UCLA.
Would a professor be better over a TA/PLF that knows my “academic” side much more?
- A professor or TA’s letter of recommendation is fine; whoever is best positioned to give you the strongest letter of recommendation and knows you better is who you should consider asking. A professor or TA is preferred compared to a Peer Learning Facilitator.
Does the professor/ TA have to be from a class/section you were in? Does their name have to show up as the instructor on a previous class?
- They need to be someone who is able to speak to your academic experiences or potential.
Is a high school teacher that I have known for 4 years sufficient for the “counselor” letter of rec?
- Yes, a counselor or a teacher.
Does the letter of rec have to be from a science course or can it be from a math course since it is technically STEM?
- Math or any STEM field is fine.
To whom should recommenders address their letter of recommendation?
- They can address their letter to the “High AIMS Admissions Committee”.
Could our two LoR be from two Professors/ TA’s?
- At least one LOR needs to be from a Professor/TA and the second LOR should be from a counselor, employer, or advisor.
How do we find our science GPA?
- An academic counselor or peer counselor can help you calculate this. See Registrar Information on how to calculate GPAs by clicking here.
Are there any guidelines for the letter of rec we can give our recommender?
- You should provide the recommender information about High AIMS as a program and maybe your application materials so that they can highlight your academic and personal attributes that you think would make you stand out in a pool of students interested in pre-health professions. It is helpful for you to provide them more information about High AIMS as a program and why you are applying.
If the program is 3 years long, but we are currently 2nd year students, are we still eligible to apply?
- High AIMS is a two- to three-year long program. If you apply during your first year, you will participate for three years. If you apply in your second year, you will participate for two years.
Is High AIMS looking for applicants with previous healthcare/clinical experience or people who have not yet had such experience?
- You do not need to have prior experience with healthcare/clinical experience as long as you can demonstrate a passion and interest in healthcare through your application.
Does having a 2.5 GPA limit my chances of getting accepted into the program?
- No, as long as you meet the minimum GPA requirement and ensure that you put together a strong application. The goal of this program is to support you.