Thank you for joining us for Mini Med School 2025 — Exploring Rare Diseases: Discovery to Treatment, presented by co-deans Dr. Kelly Brown and Dr. Bruce Carleton. Together, we explored the world of rare diseases and examined the challenges in diagnosis, treatment, research, and patient support. We’ll also looked ahead to the future, uncovering how emerging technologies are revolutionizing clinical care and how scientific breakthroughs are shaping global health policies.
The series recording are now available as part of our Mini Med School Self-Directed program.
Mini Med School 2026
The next Mini Med School Vancouver is scheduled for October/November 2026. Over four evening, the series will feature lectures by scientific leaders and world-class clinicians, followed by a question period. Schedule and topic will be posted summer 2026. Sign-up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on future events.
Interested in participating? Starting in Fall 2026, Mini Med School will be open to Grade 12 students only. This change helps us manage program capacity and focus on providing a meaningful, high-quality experience for our participants. It also allows us to better support students at an important time as they prepare for what comes after high school.
Grade 11 students are still welcome to take part in our Mini Med School Self-Directed program. Sessions recording will be posted in the Video Library.
Registration
Registration for Mini Med School 2026 will open late September 2026.
How are students select? Mini Med School is a popular program, and spots are limited. To keep it fair, participants will be chosen at random after registration closes. Please note: you must be a Grade 12 student in BC or the Yukon to participate in the program.
We value students who take the registration process seriously and put genuine effort into their responses. Any submission that shows minimal engagement, appears careless, or lacks thoughtful consideration will result in automatic disqualification.
Although the selection process is random, equitable representation will be supported by giving priority, when possible, to:
• Students who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis
• Students from different schools to encourage and help create a diverse and dynamic group experience.
Scholarship
Mini Med School Scholarships are available to students enrolled in the Mini Med School program who participated in at least 3 of the 4 Mini Med School sessions.
Funded by BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, Mini Med School Scholarships provide:
- A scholarship of $1,000 CAD to go towards tuition fees at any national or international postsecondary academic institution.
- An in-person career placement at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute for one week in the summer. This is a research-based career placement. You will not be interacting with patients or be involved in clinical care of any kind.
Details regarding the Mini Med School Scholarship will be sent directly to Mini Med School participants in fall 2026.
Questions?
Contact researchevents@phsa.ca or review our FAQs below.
FAQs
Can students younger than grades 12 attend?
No, the curriculum for Mini Med School has been designed for grade 12 students and space is limited. We encourage those in younger grades to check out our Mini Med School Self-Directed program.
Am I a good candidate to attend Mini Med School? Do I need to have high marks in sciences to participate?
We encourage you to consider your own learning style before registering to attend Mini Med School. While high marks in sciences are not required, participants should have a passion for health sciences. With only four sessions to explore new scientific concepts, participants should expect a fast-paced learning environment. Similar to a post-secondary seminar, Mini Med School is lecture-based with a small selection of hands-on activities. Some students may find this learning format challenging.
Does Mini Med School require any prereading or take-home assignments? What about tests?
Mini Med School participants will not be required to complete any assignments or tests. Occasionally students do like to take notes during lectures, but it is not required.
Will all participants be provided with a certificate of participation?
Yes! Students who are interested, and have attended at least 3 sessions, will be provided with an electronic certificate of participation upon request.
Can teachers attend?
Teachers are welcome, but not required, to attend. Teachers interested in registering should contact researchevents@phsa.ca directly.
Can Mini Med School hours be counted towards my work experience requirements?
Mini Med School could be classified as an unpaid career-related work experience that includes career investigation. Some schools will consider the hours spent attending Mini Med School as being eligible for your work experience hours. We encourage students to verify this with your school or career counsellor.
