Northwestern Medicine GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program — Should You Apply?
- Stephen Turban
- Mar 31
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 8
If you're looking for a way to engage in medicine beyond the typical high school curriculum, consider a summer program in medicine designed for high schoolers!
Summer medicine programs for high school students allow you to explore future career paths, gain practical experience and exposure to modern medicine practices, and demonstrate your commitment to learning more about the field to college admissions officers. The Northwestern Medicine GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program is one such opportunity. Our blog today takes an in-depth look at this program and how it could add value to your college admissions profile and career.
What is the Northwestern Medicine GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program?
The Northwestern Medicine GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program is a year-long educational initiative for high school sophomores and juniors interested in a healthcare career. It introduces the diverse roles within the medical field via tours, guest lectures, and group discussions and activities. Through its monthly meetups at county chapters, the program focuses on cultivating leadership and fostering a deeper understanding of healthcare systems. It aims to provide the tools and knowledge to pursue healthcare careers by showing the various pathways available, from clinical roles like nursing and medicine to administrative and research positions.
Northwestern Medicine, the host of this program, is an integrated healthcare system that brings together physicians and researchers to drive medical innovation. Through programs like the GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program, it strives to cultivate the next generation of healthcare professionals by offering educational opportunities.
How is the program structured?
The Discovery Program operates from six chapters located in different counties. Each chapter offers similar but different programs, and which you choose to attend depends on where you go to school:
Cook County (City of Chicago and North Suburban Cook): Central Chapter is hosted at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Lake County: North Chapter is hosted at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital
McHenry County: Northwest Chapter is hosted at:
Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital
Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital
DeKalb, Kendall, LaSalle, Lee and Ogle counties: Greater DeKalb Chapter is hosted at:
Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Proton Therapy Center
DuPage County and Kane County: West Chapter is hosted at:
Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Proton Therapy Center
Will County and South Suburban Cook County: South Chapter hosted at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital
You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from the sessions held every Saturday from 9 am to 12 noon. The Central Chapter is the only one to offer a two-year program, with the second year featuring a more advanced curriculum.
The monthly meetings feature:
Facility tours, allow you to explore advanced medical facilities, including hospitals and clinics.
Interactive presentations and workshops led by professionals in nursing, medicine, research, and healthcare administration.
Practical insights from hands-on activities that simulate healthcare roles, such as diagnostic exercises or patient care scenarios.
Community engagement via service projects that address local health issues, promoting civic responsibility.
Mentorship from experienced healthcare workers who provide career advice and answer questions about the field.
​Is it prestigious?
The Discovery Program is academically demanding and has a competitive selection process. As a program participant, you will benefit from the industry exposure and networking opportunities offered by various activities throughout the academic year. You will connect with industry professionals and peers, which could lead to future mentorships or internships. You will even influence your local community through hands-on projects, elevating your academic knowledge at the same time. This makes the program a standout addition to your college application, highlighting your dedication to exploring healthcare careers. Overall, we’d rate this program as fairly prestigious.​
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible for the program, you must be:
Entering sophomore or junior year of high school.
At least 15 years old.
Have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale.
If you’re applying for the second year of the program in the Central Chapter, you must have completed year one of the Discovery Program and maintained good standing.
How does the application process work?
The application process begins in the summer and requires the following:
Online Application:Â Fill out a detailed application form outlining your interest in healthcare and reasons for applying.
Academic recommendation form:Â Have a teacher, counselor, principal, or other adult academic professional provide a recommendation for your application.
A copy of your official or unofficial high school transcript.
Applications typically open in August and close on September 30. Check the website for the dates for the current deadline.
Pros and cons to consider
Pros:
You will receive hands-on learning experience:Â You will be exposed to various healthcare fields, including nursing, research, and patient care. All this exposure comes from activities like facility tours, interactive workshops, and community projects.
The program offers opportunities to network: You’ll be able to build relationships with professional researchers across the Northwestern network, which can be beneficial for future academic and career endeavors.
You will have access to skill development opportunities: Besides academic learning, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to build critical skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving through activities and workshops.
The program allows you to give back to your community:Â The Discovery Program allows you to participate in community healthcare initiatives.
Cons:
The program comes with limited eligibility:Â The program is only available to students in specific counties, restricting access for others.
The sessions are spread out over the year:Â The program is conducted in a three-hour monthly session, which spreads out your learning rather than making it a concentrated exposure. This may be harder for some students to commit to.
Admissions are super competitive:Â The selection process can be rigorous, and you need a 3.0 GPA just to be able to apply.
Our review
The Northwestern Medicine GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program can be an excellent fit for high school students interested in exploring healthcare careers. It provides a rich learning experience under the mentorship of professional researchers and networking opportunities that enhance your academic and career prospects. If you live in the eligible regions and are prepared for the time commitment, this program could be helpful for understanding and eventually succeeding in the field of medicine and healthcare.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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