{"id":106,"date":"2024-11-06T19:58:41","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T19:58:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/oseca\/?page_id=106"},"modified":"2026-01-16T18:11:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T18:11:26","slug":"bridging-the-gaps-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/oseca\/pathway-programs\/bridging-the-gaps-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Bridging the Gaps Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n    \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--hero-primary horizontal-navigation\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--hero-primary\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper has-horizontal-nav\">\n\n          <div class=\"title-wrapper\">\n\n                  <div class=\"eyebrow-container\">\n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--eyebrow\">\n\n    \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/oseca\/\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Office of Student Engagement and Cultural Affairs\">Office of Student Engagement and Cultural Affairs<\/a>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--eyebrow\">\n\n    \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/oseca\/pathway-programs\/\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Pathway Programs\">Pathway Programs<\/a>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n        \n                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--page-title has-stripe\">\n\n    \n  <h1>Bridging the Gaps Program<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        \n              <\/div>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--link eyebrow-link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a\n  class=\"link \"\n  href=\"\/md-program\/admissions\/\"\n    aria-label=\"Read&#x20;more&#x20;about&#x20;Application&#x20;Information\">\n        Application Information\n    <\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n    \n      \n              <div class=\"horizontal-nav\">\n                      <div class=\"horizontal-menu-container\">\n              <button class=\"expand-menu\">\n                                  In This Section\n                                <svg class=\"menu\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\"\n                  y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\n                  <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" d=\"M4,23h3v3H4V23z M4,16h3v3H4V16z M10,23\n                  h21v3H10V23z M10,16h21v3H10V16z M10,9h21v3H10V9z M4,9h3v3H4V9z\"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n\n                <svg class=\"close\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\"\n                  viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\n                  <polygon fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" points=\"26,10.4 24.6,9 17.5,16.1 10.4,9 9,10.4 16.1,17.5\n                  9,24.6 10.4,26 17.5,18.9 24.6,26 26,24.6 18.9,17.5 \"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n              <\/button>\n\n              <nav\n  class=\"mc--menu mc--\"\n  >\n  <ul class=\"m--menu m--\">\n    \n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-home menu-item-86\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/oseca\/\" >Office of Student Engagement and Cultural Affairs<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-87\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/oseca\/on-campus\/\" >On Campus<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-88\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/oseca\/service-learning\/\" >Service-Learning<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\"has-submenu menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-89 menu-item-has-children\">\n      <div class=\"link-arrow-wrapper\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/oseca\/pathway-programs\/\" >Pathway Programs<\/a>\n\n      <button class=\"expand-children has-submenu arrow-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Display Submenu for Pathway Programs\">\n        <svg height=\"35\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" width=\"35\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"m17.5 20.2142857 6.2142857-6.2142857 1.2857143 1.2857143-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5 1.2857143-1.2857143z\" fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper-inner\">\n        <ul class=\"submenu\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-112\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/oseca\/pathway-programs\/bridging-the-gaps-program\/\" >Bridging the Gaps Program<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-173\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/hippocratescircle.kaiserpermanente.org\/\" >Hippocrates Circle<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-171\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/usckeckprep.wixsite.com\/keck-prep-scholars\" >Keck PREP<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-174\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/medcor.usc.edu\/\" >Med COR<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-172\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/usc-dori.org\/education-enrichment\/\" >SPIDOR<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-90\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/oseca\/awards-and-scholarships\/\" >Awards and Scholarships<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-91\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/oseca\/our-team\/\" >Our Team<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <\/ul><!-- m--menu -->\n<\/nav>\n\n            <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--featured-block image-left white\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--featured-block\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"text-image-container\">\n    <div class=\"text-container\">\n\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title has-stripe\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          About the Program\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description description-medium\">\n\n    \n  <p>BTG is an in-resident 8-week summer research program for undergraduate students interested in medicine, health, and biomedical sciences. BTG scholars conduct cutting edge research in the laboratories of Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) Faculty who serve as mentors. Students are provided with basic science, translational and clinical research experiences. Additionally, all students attend weekly seminars on important health topics and receive formal instruction in basic physiology and biostatistics. The summer session culminates with students presenting their research findings to the KSOM community.<\/p>\n<p>This program is open to all eligible individuals. BTG operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University\u2019s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. Summer scholars will conduct cutting-edge research in the laboratories of Keck faculty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n              <div class=\"links-container\">\n                          \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a\n  class=\"link \"\n  href=\"https:\/\/usc.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_9NAJW1tWDEL2i6W\"\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read&#x20;more&#x20;about&#x20;Apply&#x20;Here\">\n    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 12\"><polygon points=\"14 0 20 6 19 7 19 7 19 7 14 12 13 10.9 16.9 7 0 7 0 5 17 5 13 1 14 0\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-width=\"0\"\/><\/svg>    Apply Here\n    <\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n      \n    <\/div>\n\n          <div class=\"image-container\">\n            \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/oseca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/Mayela-Lab-3-768x768.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/oseca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/Mayela-Lab-3-1280x1280.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/oseca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/Mayela-Lab-3-768x768.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n        alt=\"Student in the lab looking through a microscope\"\n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text white\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <h2>Program Highlights<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Scholars receive a stipend. There are no tuition or fees.<\/li>\n<li>Transportation costs and University housing are paid by the program (staying in on-campus housing for duration program is required).<\/li>\n<li>Weekly didactic lectures in physiology, pathophysiology, and biostatistics.<\/li>\n<li>Seminars focusing on relevant health issues<\/li>\n<li>Opportunities to shadow at affiliated hospitals: Keck, LA General Medical Center and Children\u2019s Hospital of Los Angeles.<\/li>\n<li>Career development workshops: financial aid, MCAT prep, graduate school admission process, test taking skills, organization skills, time management, career choices, interview and presentation skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Applying to the program<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Program Dates: <\/strong><strong>June 8 \u2013 July 31, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Application Opens: December 2025<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Application Deadline: February 2, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Applicants must meet the following criteria:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Complete at least 2 years of undergraduate study<\/li>\n<li>Have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 or greater<\/li>\n<li>U.S. citizen or permanent resident<\/li>\n<li>Submission of official college transcripts<\/li>\n<li>Submission of two Faculty Letters of Recommendation (at least one must be from a Faculty in the Life\/Physical Sciences)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>*Applicants from economically disadvantaged backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.<\/p>\n<p>*Applications that are missing official transcripts and\/or Faculty Letters of Recommendation will be considered incomplete, and ineligible.<\/p>\n<p>All participants are required to be fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 unless they have an approved exemption because of a disability, medical contraindication, or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance, per university policy. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated (i.e., those who qualify for a medical or religious exemption) are required to wear a facial covering indoors and outdoors when distancing cannot be maintained and be tested regularly.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text white\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>For questions regarding your application or the application process, please contact:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Bridging the Gaps<\/strong><br \/>\nKeck Office of Student Engagement and Cultural Affairs<br \/>\nEmail:\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:keckoseca@usc.edu\">keckoseca@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":64,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-106","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - 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