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    High School Alliance of Future Physicians (HSAFP): What It Is & How to Join

    Avatar for Kachiu Lee, MD
    Kachiu Lee, MD
    Dr. Lee specializes in BS/MD admissions. She was accepted into seven combined bachelor-medical degree programs. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northwestern University and proceeded to Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. After completing a dermatology residency at Brown University, Dr. Lee pursued a fellowship in Photomedicine, Lasers, and Cosmetics at Massachusetts General Hospital and was a Clinical Fellow at Harvard Medical School. Academically, she has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and lectures internationally.
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    Avatar for Kachiu Lee, MD
    Kachiu Lee, MD
    Dr. Lee specializes in BS/MD admissions. She was accepted into seven combined bachelor-medical degree programs. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northwestern University and proceeded to Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. After completing a dermatology residency at Brown University, Dr. Lee pursued a fellowship in Photomedicine, Lasers, and Cosmetics at Massachusetts General Hospital and was a Clinical Fellow at Harvard Medical School. Academically, she has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and lectures internationally.
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    High School Science Students

    If you’re a high school student interested in becoming a doctor, you don’t have to wait until college to start exploring medicine.

    Supported by MedSchoolCoach, the High School Alliance of Future Physicians (HSAFP) gives students an early way to connect with physician-led resources and learn more about the path ahead.

    Download our free activity checklist for high schoolers! Get access to a grade-by-grade roadmap of all the activities you need for college acceptance.

     

    What Is the HSAFP?

    The HSAFP is a nationwide organization with local chapters and individual membership options for high school students interested in healthcare.

    Students can join or start an HSAFP chapter to access physician-created educational resources, hands-on and virtual activities, and guidance on opportunities such as shadowing, volunteering, and research. HSAFP also offers a monthly curriculum built around many of the competencies the AAMC identifies as important for future medical students.

     

    HSAFP Resources and Opportunities

    HSAFP is designed to make the path toward medicine easier to understand and explore.

    Depending on the program or chapter, you may have opportunities to:

    • Explore different medical specialties. Virtual shadowing and physician-led programming can give you a closer look at what doctors in different fields actually do and help you think more intentionally about your interests.
    • Build foundational skills and knowledge. HSAFP offers physician-created curriculum and activities that introduce students to medical concepts, clinical skills, and competencies that will continue to matter throughout the premed journey.
    • Learn how to find meaningful experiences. Resources on shadowing, volunteering, research, and other healthcare-related opportunities can help you begin building experience while you're still in high school.
    • Prepare for college and the premed path. HSAFP provides guidance on topics such as choosing a college, applying to BS/MD programs, and understanding what to expect as a future premed student.
    • Connect with other students interested in medicine. Local HSAFP chapters give you a place to learn with peers, discuss interests, and participate in activities with other students who are considering similar careers.

    The goal isn't to make you build a med school application while you're still in high school. It's to give you opportunities to explore medicine now so you can make more informed decisions about what you want to pursue later.

     

    How to Start an HSAFP Chapter at Your High School

    Looking to create a community of future physicians right at your high school? Starting an HSAFP chapter in your school is an excellent way to unite students who share a passion for medicine. It's not just about the resources; it's about building a platform for mutual support and inspiration, a place where the dream of a career in medicine feels a little closer.

    HSAFP provides step-by-step support to help new chapter leaders get started, along with physician-designed curriculum and activities you can use throughout the year. Your chapter might host clinical skills workshops, discuss medical research, invite physician guest speakers, take part in community health projects, or explore other healthcare-related opportunities.

    To get a chapter up and running, you’ll need a faculty advisor and a student leadership team, along with approval from your school to start a student organization.

    Starting a chapter can be a meaningful way to explore your own interest in medicine while giving your classmates the chance to do the same.

    FAQs

    Yes. You can create a free HSAFP account and access resources designed to help you explore medicine, prepare for college, and learn more about the premed path.

    HSAFP is designed for high school students interested in medicine and other healthcare careers. Students can participate through a local chapter or become national members to access HSAFP resources individually.

    No. While joining a local chapter gives you opportunities to participate in group activities, guest speakers, and community events, you can also become a national HSAFP member and access resources independently. HSAFP also offers options for students who don't have a chapter available locally.

    If your school doesn't already have anHSAFP chapter, you can apply to start one through HSAFP. You'll need approval from your school, a faculty advisor, and a student leadership team. HSAFP provides onboarding and ongoing resources to help you recruit members, plan meetings, and run chapter activities.

    Yes. HSAFP provides guidance on finding shadowing, volunteering, and research opportunities, including resources specifically designed for high school students who may face age restrictions or limited opportunities in their area. Members can also access virtual shadowing opportunities.

    No. You don't need to have your entire career planned out before joining HSAFP. Exploring different specialties, learning about medical research, shadowing physicians, and taking part in healthcare-related activities can help you decide whether medicine is a path you genuinely want to pursue.

     

    Consider joining the High School Alliance of Future Physicians or leading a new chapter on your campus.

     
    Avatar for Kachiu Lee, MD Kachiu Lee, MD

    Dr. Lee specializes in BS/MD admissions. She was accepted into seven combined bachelor-medical degree programs. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northwestern University and proceeded to Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. After completing a dermatology residency at Brown University, Dr. Lee pursued a fellowship in Photomedicine, Lasers, and Cosmetics at Massachusetts General Hospital and was a Clinical Fellow at Harvard Medical School. Academically, she has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and lectures internationally.

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