RHOP | Rural Health Opportunities Program

Application and Selection Process

• 1. Apply for Admission to Peru  State College AND be accepted by December 1
  2. Apply to the RHOP program.
     1. Complete the Online RHOP Application
     2. Submit the following supporting documents to the mailing address below or scan and upload into the Online RHOP Application.
        1. Three letters of recommendation (emailed by the recommender to btrail@peru.edu or Admissions@peru.edu or mail sealed envelopes to School of Arts & Sciences, 600 Hoyt Street, Peru, NE  68421). One recommendation letter must be from a science or math instructor. All letters should address the applicant’s motivation toward a career in the desired discipline, capacity for performance in the discipline, and any relevant activities or leadership experiences which relate to the field of the health care discipline.
        2. Please provide a one page personal essay from one of the subjects below. When responding, please direct your response toward the RHOP program for which you are applying. The essay may be uploaded into the Online RHOP Application or mailed with the supporting documents.
           1. This program is designed to train future health professionals committed to practice in rural communities. Discuss the opportunities and challenges of being a rural health care provider in your specific area (Dental, Dental Hygiene, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physician Assistant, Medical Lab Science, Radiography, Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy) and how you might address them.
           2. The American health care system is currently undergoing significant changes and at the same time major health and medical innovations are occurring. Describe the major changes or advances in your program of choice that you expect to see over the course of your career.

  Mail supporting application documents to:
  Peru State College Office of Admissions
  P.O. Box 10
  Peru, NE 68421-0010

  IMPORTANT NOTE: The application of college credit earned through previous college work, CLEP or high school courses for college credit under an Advanced Placement or dual credit curriculum will be determined on an individual basis. Non-traditional students must be willing to begin their work at Peru State College as a freshman, regardless of previous education.

• Numerous factors are a part of the selection process. Special consideration will be given to RHOP applicants who:

  • Demonstrate a genuine interest in becoming a health care professional.
  • Demonstrate academic potential.
  • Are committed to practicing in rural areas of Nebraska.

  Interviews
  
  Applications for the RHOP will be reviewed and the top candidates will be contacted for an interview in late November or early December. Interviews will be approximately 20-30 minutes in length and conducted by faculty from University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Peru State College (PSC). The interviewers are interested in learning as much about the interviewee as possible and in answering questions regarding PSC, UNMC, and the RHOP.
  
  Final Selection
  
  RHOP Positions: Review each option's page to see available seats and alternate seats.
  
  Alternate Positions: Applicants will be selected as alternates. Only alternates will be allowed to fill any vacancies. Those students receiving alternate status will maintain this status as long as they are enrolled at PSC, maintain the standards set forth in the RHOP guidelines and follow the prescribed curriculum.
  
  All applicants will be notified of their status as soon as possible. Nebraska applicants for the RHOP should also consider applying for the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees Scholarship at Peru State College. The scholarship provides full tuition for up to four years at PSC for Nebraska residents and, if awarded, can assist students who are not selected as an RHOP recipient with a scholarship equal to that of the RHOP scholarship. The deadline for the Board of Trustees Scholarship is January 15 annually. Click here for information about the Board of Trustees Scholarship.