Back to Nova Southeastern University
Applications Now Open — 2026
AIM-High sessions fill quickly — space is limited to 50 students per session. Applications are currently open for all three 2026 sessions. Submit your $50 application fee to begin the process. Successful applicants are notified by email within four weeks or by mid-April at the latest.
Explore a Career in Medicine — Before Applying to College
Achieve in Medicine (AIM-High) is a five-day medical immersion day camp hosted by
Nova Southeastern University's Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Designed exclusively for high-achieving
high school students, AIM-High gives you a real, hands-on look at what a career in
medicine actually involves — before you ever set foot in a college classroom.
Over five intensive days, you will work alongside NSU medical students and faculty, explore more than 15 health career fields, practice clinical procedures in NSU's simulation labs, and connect with a community of peers who share your passion for health care. Whether you are considering medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, public health, or another health profession, AIM-High shows you what your future could look like.
The program is offered at two Florida campuses — Davie/Fort Lauderdale and Tampa Bay (Clearwater)— with three sessions available each summer. A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required to apply. Need-based scholarships are available.
Program at a Glance
What: A 5-day medical immersion day camp hosted by NSU's Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Who: Rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 3.2 GPA
Where: NSU Davie/Fort Lauderdale Campus and NSU Tampa Bay Regional Campus (Clearwater, FL)
When: Summer 2026 — three sessions available (see Dates and Schedule below)
Cost: $1,800 per student — includes meals, snacks, materials, and all sessions
Scholarships: Need-based scholarships available — apply with your application.
Capacity: Limited to 50 students per session — apply early
Open to: Florida and out-of-state students; international students welcome (no visa sponsorship)
What You Will Gain from AIM-High
AIM-High is more than a summer program — it is a launch pad. By the end of your five days at NSU, you will have:
- Practiced real clinical skills, including suturing, CPR/AED, splinting, and vital signs assessment
- Studied live patient cases alongside practicing physicians
- Explored 15+ health career fields — from pediatrics and neuroscience to pharmacy and public health
- Used augmented and virtual reality simulation technology in NSU's state-of-the-art labs
- Learned directly from NSU medical students about the path from high school to medical school
- Built a peer network with other high-achieving pre-med students from across Florida and beyond
These are not simulated experiences — they are the same skills and environments used in NSU's medical training programs. You will leave knowing exactly what a career in medicine looks like from the inside.
In the News
See the full story: "Summer Camp in Davie Exposes High School Students to Diversity of Medical Field" — WPLG Local 10 News, July 22, 2022.
My daughter attended both the AIM-High and AIM-Higher programs. Both programs were very organized and filled with a lot of amazing opportunities for the students to learn about careers in medicine.
Jen T. | Parent
Program Highlights
AIM-High is as much about the people you meet as the skills you learn. Throughout the week, students connect with peers, NSU medical students, and faculty through:
Roundtable Discussions — Sit down with current NSU medical students for honest conversations about life in medicine, navigating college, and preparing for medical school applications. No scripts, no sales pitch — just real answers to your real questions.
Student Social — Meet fellow AIM-High participants from across Florida and beyond in a relaxed, fun setting. The friendships and professional connections you build here often last well beyond the week.
Family Social — Parents and families are invited to connect with NSU faculty, staff, and other AIM-High families. Get a firsthand look at what your student experienced — and what their future in medicine could look like.
Dates and Schedule
NSU Davie/Fort Lauderdale Campus
- Session I - July 6-10, 2026
- Session II - July 13-17, 2026
NSU Tampa Bay Regional Campus, Clearwater, Florida
- Session I - June 22-26, 2026
Applicants must select one session to attend and cannot attend more than one session. Contact Ruchell Hird-Nottage at rhirdnot@nova.edu or (954) 262-1467 for additional information.
Application Process
A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required to be eligible for the AIM-High medical immersion day camp.
Applications are now open for Summer 2026.
-
Submit a $50.00 non-refundable application fee. Pay the Application Fee ($50)
-
Once the AIM-High administrative staff receives confirmation of the application fee payment, you will be invited to complete an online application.
-
Complete the online application and submit the required documents, including a:
-
450-word essay (guidance provided),
-
high school transcript with most current grades and GPA (copies accepted), and
-
scholarship essay (if applicable) written by the student.
-
Successful applicants will be notified by email within four weeks of receipt of their application or by mid-April at the latest. For application questions, email aimhigh@nova.edu.
Seats are limited — incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Hands-On Learning Opportunities
Explore Medical Fields
Rotate through 15+ health specialties led by NSU faculty, residents, and practicing physicians — from emergency medicine and radiology to occupational therapy and pharmacy.
- Osteopathic Medicine (OPP)
- Emergency Medicine
- Sports Medicine
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Pharmacy
- Neuroscience & Brain Dissection
- Anesthesiology
- Optometry
- Radiology
- Geriatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics & NSU Preschool Visit
- Labor Delivery & Newborn Care
- Public Health
Innovative Technologies & Research
Experience the tools reshaping modern medicine — from real ultrasound equipment and VR simulation labs to medical informatics and immersive learning technology used in NSU's own training programs.
- Ultrasound in Medicine — Sonography Lab
- Medical & Health Informatics
- Augmented & Virtual Reality Simulation Labs
- Immersive Learning Technology in Medicine (ILTMED)
- Simulation Manikin Lab
- Introduction to Medical Research
Clinical & Practical Skills
Practice real procedures in the same labs NSU medical students train in — guided step-by-step by faculty and current medical students.
- Vital Signs Assessment
- CPR / AED Training
- Suturing Lab
- Splinting Lab
- Blood Typing & Transfusions
- Making a Diagnosis — Case Review with Physicians
- Emergency Preparedness & Stop the Bleed
- Intubation
- Lumbar Puncture & Blood Draw
- Smoking Cessation
- Nutrition & Culinary Medicine
Community & Professional Readiness
Build the mindset, communication skills, and professional network every future health care leader needs — including a full overview of NSU's undergraduate and dual admissions pathways.
- Communication in Relationships
- Health & Wellness Coaching
- Doctor's Bag Presentation
- Medical Student Panel Q&A
- Undergraduate & Dual Admissions Overview
- Community Service Project
- Student & Parent Social Events
- Transition & Reflection Groups
Sessions and activities may vary slightly by campus and session. All students receive comprehensive exposure to medicine across all core areas.
Program Costs, Scholarships, and Discounts
The Aim-High program tuition is $1800 and includes:
- 7+ hours of instruction each day
- Social events
- Complimentary meals, snacks, and refreshments
- Interaction with NSU medical students and faculty
- Community service project
Payment Schedule
- A payment link will be emailed to all accepted AIM-High applicants. For payment schedule questions contact Ruchell Hird-Nottage at rhirdnot@nova.edu or (954) 262-1467.
We accept all major credit cards/debit cards, money order or cashier's check. We do not accept personal checks or cash.
Scholarships are need-based, and applicants must submit a one-page essay describing why they are applying for a needs-based scholarship. Applicants should consider including information specific to familial circumstances that might make participation in AIM-High difficult without a scholarship. The essay must be typed, single-spaced, and submitted along with the application. (Additional information on how to apply for a scholarship will be provided in the application packet.)
Please note that scholarship funds are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. If you receive a scholarship, you will be responsible for the remaining balance of the camp fee.
Discounts are offered to NSU employees, but only apply to immediate family members.
We do not offer discounts for NSU alumni or siblings of current NSU students.
We understand that at times campers may not be able to attend camp due to unforeseen hardships, we will examine these cases on a case-by-case basis.
Refund Process
All refund requests must be received in writing. Please allow up to 10 business days for your refund to be processed. Refunds are issued in the same form of payment as the original payment.
Program Cancellation
In the rare event that Nova Southeastern University must cancel AIM-High, all monies will be refunded.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is highly recommended that students use their personal email address and not a school-issued email address due to security restrictions.
The non-refundable application fee does not secure a spot in the program as this is determined by the student’s ability to satisfy the application criteria and the receipt of full payment.
Application fees are non-refundable even if an application is rejected or waitlisted or in the event of force majeure.
Yes. AIM-High is open to students from any state. International students are also welcome to apply; however, AIM-High does not sponsor travel or student visas, and international students are not eligible for scholarship funds.
This program is only available to rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors in high school. Exceptions to the eligibility criteria will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The same material is covered each session and in both locations. There is minimal or no difference.
Complimentary meals, snacks, and refreshments will be served daily, and students will have a variety of options available. Shark Dining caters to all diets including Kosher, vegan, and vegetarian options. Students are welcome to take their own meals to support specific dietary needs.
Yes, there is a clinic on-site.
The 450-word essay is your opportunity to tell the AIM-High team why you want to explore a career in medicine and what you hope to gain from the program. There is no single right answer — focus on your genuine interest in health care, any relevant experiences, and what you plan to do with what you learn.
As early as possible. Sessions are limited to 50 students and filled on a rolling basis. Submitting your $50 application fee early puts you in the queue sooner. The latest you can expect a decision is mid-April.
AIM-High is the introductory five-day day camp for current high school students. AIM-Higher is a more advanced program for students who have already completed AIM-High. Completing AIM-High is the pathway to AIM-Higher.
Contact Us
NSU Main Campus
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Ruchell Hird-Nottage
rhirdnot@nova.edu
(954) 262-1467
NSU Tampa Bay Regional Campus
Clearwater, Florida
Ruchell Hird-Nottage
rhirdnot@nova.edu
(954) 262-1467
aim_high_nsu_medicalimmersion