Elite Scholar and Leader Program

Student Benefits

The principal program benefit is membership in a select group of highly motivated healthcare leadership and management students who will enhance their professional and academic experience and credentials as well as contribute to the continued growth and success of the UT Dallas MS in Healthcare Leadership Management program. Members will:

• Have access to a dedicated area where ESLP members and our undergraduate Professional Program in Healthcare Management students can meet, network and help each other to grow professionally and academically.
• Benefit from networking opportunities through special events and field trips.
• Be a mentor and be mentored.
• Have access to mentorships with academic and experienced industry professionals.
• Have opportunities to volunteer and provide leadership to undergraduates and others at the University and in the greater DFW community.
• Lead group projects focused on solving healthcare issues.
• Conduct academic research that adds to the body of healthcare knowledge.
• Participate in UT Dallas seminar series specifically designed to prepare you for success in the healthcare business environment.
• Build your personal leadership brand by participating in specific leadership development activities.
• Enhance their professional credentials in healthcare leadership and management and/or for clinical careers and professional school programs in such fields as medicine, dentistry and law.

Membership Requirements

• Members will be assigned a mentee and be required to volunteer a certain number of hours to tutor fellow healthcare management students, those just entering the ELSP program or undergraduate students in the PPHM program.
• Members will be required to attend a certain number of healthcare management-sponsored or endorsed events each semester.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

For current graduate students:

• Must be enrolled in one of the following UT Dallas programs:
• MS in Healthcare Leadership and Management
• Dual degree MS in Healthcare Leadership and Management/MBA
• MBA with Healthcare Leadership and Management Concentration
• Have completed at least one semester of graduate studies or an equivalent review based on past academic performance
• Have a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.5
• Have received a GRE score of at least 310 (or comparative GMAT score)
• Please note that applicants with scores lower than 310 will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be asked to provide additional information explaining any relevant circumstances.

For current undergraduate students (including Fast Track):

• Have been accepted into one of the following programs:
• MS in Healthcare Leadership and Management
• Dual degree MS in Healthcare Leadership and Management/MBA
• MBA with Healthcare Leadership and Management Concentration
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4
• Note: PPHM membership as an undergraduate student will automatically qualify you as a potential ESLP candidate.

Areas of Evaluation

Applicants will be evaluated in the areas of Academics, Engagement and Leadership. Examples of these 3 areas are shown below.

Academics

• Confirmed qualifying GPA (3.4 for undergraduate applicants and 3.5 for graduate applicants) and test scores

Engagement

• Participation in the Professional Program in Healthcare Management as an undergraduate
• Membership in student organizations such as the Healthcare Management Association
• Membership in professional associations such as the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).
• Industry experience
• Mentor or mentee experience

Leadership

• Leadership experience within a university, industry, association or other setting

Application Components

• Online form
• 2 letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources

Application Timeline

Applications for ESLP are accepted each Fall/Spring semester.

Fall Timeline

• Online application process opens October 1
• Applications due November 1
• Virtual Interviews: will be arranged directly with selected students during the month of November
• Acceptance for Spring ESLP cohort by the end of November

Spring Timeline

• Online application process opens March 1
• Applications due April 1
• Virtual Interviews: will be arranged directly with selected students during the month of April
• Acceptance for Fall ESLP cohort by the end of April

Notes on Admission

• Applicants will be considered for the program if they were undergraduates in the PPHM program or are master’s degree students entering the program during their first semester as a graduate student. Graduate students who meet all other criteria, including an undergraduate GPA of 3.4, may apply. GPA criteria will be assessed following the first semester as a graduate student.
• Admission is competitive, and the applicant pool will be narrowed to those applicants chosen to move forward for interviews. Interviews will determine final acceptance.
• As noted, admission is based on BOTH quantitative (GPA, experience, and more) and qualitative (communication skills, attitude, drive and more) factors. For example, healthcare experience, membership in associations, leadership roles and publications will be considered.