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    Sports Medicine Institute
    In-person Program

    Sports Medicine Institute

    by Wake Forest University

    A hands-on residential program exploring sports injury prevention, rehabilitation and athletic performance through clinical labs and expert teaching.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Sports Medicine Institute at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-12; good standing

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

    Cost

    $3,500

    Duration

    Sunday-Friday, overnight

    Format

    In-person

    Application deadline

    Rolling · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Save program
    Medicine
    Accommodation: Required campus residence
    Meals: All meals provided
    Certificate / Outcome: Wake Forest completion certificate
    Tutors / faculty: Surgeons and sports medicine clinicians
    Campus experience: Labs, facilities and evening activities

    Sports Medicine Institute summary

    This residential institute introduces sports medicine through clinical topics, practical labs and career exploration.

    Students may practice casting, taping and suturing, examine surgical anatomy and visit specialist athletic-performance facilities.

    It suits academically motivated students who want a realistic introduction to medicine at the intersection of health and sport.

    What is Sports Medicine Institute?

    The Sports Medicine Institute is a Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program focused on injury prevention, rehabilitation, athletic performance and the medical care of athletes. Students explore concussions, physical therapy, orthopedic injuries, pediatric sports medicine, prosthetic design, biologics and regenerative medicine.

    The experience combines academic instruction with practical activities such as surgical-skills labs, casting, taping, suturing and guided anatomy work. Visits to Wake Forest biomechanics and athletic-training facilities help connect clinical ideas with professional sports medicine settings.

    Why Succeed highlights Sports Medicine Institute

    • The curriculum connects sports injury science with tangible clinical techniques.

    • Students encounter several professions, including surgery, physical therapy, athletic training and physician-assistant pathways.

    • Specialist facilities and a mock operating-room setting add context beyond classroom teaching.

    • Academic leaders bring substantial orthopedic, research and team-physician experience.

    • The residential format combines focused study with a supervised campus experience.

    Who is Sports Medicine Institute for?

    Best for

    Students considering medicine, physical therapy, athletic training or related careers who want practical exposure to sports injuries and rehabilitation.

    Not ideal if

    You want academic credit, a non-residential option or an extended research project rather than a short, intensive survey.

    Is Sports Medicine Institute worth it?

    It can be worthwhile for a student who wants to test a serious interest in sports medicine before choosing future courses or university pathways. The mix of expert teaching, clinical activities and career perspectives offers more useful exploration than observation alone.

    The main limitation is depth: one institute week cannot provide comprehensive medical training or a substantial research outcome. It is also non-credit, so its value depends on thoughtful reflection and how clearly the experience informs the student's next academic step.

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    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $3,500; includes Transportation for off-site field trips.

    Accommodation

    Required campus residence

    Meals

    All meals provided

    Provider details

    Review the Wake Forest University provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    Sunday-Friday, overnight; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Sports Medicine Institute need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high.

    Best started

    Begin four to six weeks before the November 1 application opening.

    Main challenge

    Explaining a genuine academic interest while coordinating a suitable recommendation.

    Typical preparation

    • Draft the two application essays and ask an eligible school reference early.

    • Review the residential schedule and discuss travel, dietary or accessibility needs with a parent or guardian.

    • After acceptance, complete registration promptly and review the planning packet, packing guidance and Code of Conduct.

    Useful if

    You have explored biology or health topics and can explain why sports medicine interests you.

    What do students do on Sports Medicine Institute?

    Students combine sports medicine teaching with practical clinical activities, facility visits and discussions about professional pathways.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Study concussions, rehabilitation, orthopedic injuries and athletic performance.

    2. 2

      Visit biomechanics and athletic-training facilities.

    3. 3

      Rotate through selected orthopedic or surgical-skills activities.

    4. 4

      Practice techniques that may include splinting, casting, ankle taping and suturing.

    5. 5

      Explore knee and shoulder anatomy through guided laboratory work.

    6. 6

      Discuss careers with surgeons and other sports medicine professionals.

    7. 7

      Join supervised campus meals, evening activities and residential life.

    Sports Medicine Institute dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Applications

    Rolling admissions

    Applications are considered until programs fill.

    Reference date

    Sports Medicine Institute: 21-26 June 2026

    21-26 June 2026

    Reference date

    Sports Medicine Institute: 12-17 July 2026

    12-17 July 2026

    Reference date

    Applications open

    1 November 2026

    Summer 2027 application cycle.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Current Grades 9-12 students

    • Good academic standing

    • No school suspensions

    • Strong academic background and enthusiasm for learning

    • Home-schooled students may apply

    • International students may apply

    • Fluent English required

    • New and returning students must apply each year

    How much does Sports Medicine Institute cost?

    Program fee

    $3,500 — Latest published tuition; subject to annual change.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $60 — Non-refundable and due with the application.
    • Enrollment deposit: $550 — Non-refundable payment used to secure a seat.
    • Need-based scholarships: Limited funding — Requested through the general application.

    What's included

    Transportation for off-site field trips

    How to apply to Sports Medicine Institute

    1. 1

      Create a student account in the official application portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the online application and two essay responses.

    3. 3

      Report your GPA; a transcript and test scores are not required.

    4. 4

      Provide an eligible teacher, counselor or administrator as your reference.

    5. 5

      Submit the application with the $60 non-refundable fee.

    6. 6

      Monitor the student status page for the admissions decision.

    7. 7

      If accepted, select an available institute week and submit the $550 deposit.

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    What does Sports Medicine Institute cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Sports injuries

    Examine concussions and common knee, shoulder and upper-extremity injuries.

    Rehabilitation and training

    Explore athletic training, physical therapy, injury prevention and rehabilitation.

    Orthopedic techniques

    Practice selected casting, taping, suturing and surgical-skills techniques.

    Surgical anatomy

    Study knee and shoulder anatomy through guided cadaveric laboratory work.

    Emerging medicine

    Consider prosthetic design, biologics, regenerative medicine and athletic performance.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Sports Medicine Institute?

    A typical day during the program.

    Check in

    Students arrive and check into their assigned residence hall.

    Academic program

    Teaching, facility travel, laboratory rotations, panels and daily debriefs fill the core day.

    Campus life

    Dinner is followed by supervised activities, scheduled free time and residential routines.

    Check out

    Students leave the residence hall after the institute concludes.

    Who teaches on Sports Medicine Institute?

    Academic leaders include orthopedic sports medicine surgeons Dr. Nick Trasolini and Dr. Gary Poehling. Students may also learn from orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, physician assistants and athletic trainers.

    Dr. Trasolini is a Wake Forest team physician, while Dr. Poehling has extensive expertise in arthroscopy and minimally invasive orthopedic surgery.

    Where do students stay on Sports Medicine Institute?

    Residential plan

    • Campus residence: All participants must stay in their assigned Wake Forest residence hall for the institute week.
    • Meals: All meals are provided through campus dining or catered arrangements.
    • Supervision: Residential and professional staff provide overnight support and a 24-hour on-call rotation.
    • Evening activities: Staff-led options may include basketball, volleyball, karaoke, s'mores and student-life panels.

    Room assignments vary and may include single or double rooms; specific roommate requests are not guaranteed.

    What happens after Sports Medicine Institute?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Receive a Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.

    Compare medical, physical-therapy and athletic-training career pathways.

    Use the experience to refine future biology or medicine study choices.

    Reflect on practical clinical exposure in future applications or interviews.

    The institute is non-credit and does not provide preferential treatment in Wake Forest undergraduate admissions.

    Where does Sports Medicine Institute take place?

    The institute takes place at Wake Forest University's Reynolda Campus in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Activities may also involve Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, the Wake Forest Pitching Biomechanics Lab and university athletic-training facilities.

    Airport shuttles may be booked separately from Piedmont Triad International Airport or Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

    Sports Medicine Institute FAQs

    Topics include concussions, athletic training, physical therapy, knee and shoulder injuries, pediatric sports medicine, prosthetic design, biologics and regenerative medicine.

    Activities may include surgical-skills labs, splinting, casting, ankle taping, suturing, cadaveric surgical anatomy and visits to biomechanics and athletic-training facilities. Specific activities may change.

    No. Participants must live in their assigned Wake Forest residence hall for the full institute week.

    Yes. All meals are provided during the on-campus stay, with dining-hall or catered arrangements depending on the day's activities.

    Academic leaders are orthopedic sports medicine surgeons Dr. Nick Trasolini and Dr. Gary Poehling. Other clinicians may include surgeons, physical therapists, physician assistants and athletic trainers.

    No. The institute is non-credit, but students who complete the program receive an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.

    Applicants submit an online application, two essays, a self-reported GPA, one eligible school recommendation and a non-refundable application fee. Transcripts and test scores are not required.

    Yes, international students may apply and no TOEFL score is required. They must be fluent in English and are not eligible for the provider's need-based scholarships.

    Alternatives to Sports Medicine Institute

    Compare these related medicine programs by practical focus, location, length and student age.

    Alternatives to Sports Medicine Institute

    Medicine in Yale

    Medicine-focused summer study in New Haven

    Medicine
    Deadline: Not announced
    From £6995
    16-18
    New Haven
    In-person

    Best for

    Students seeking general medicine rather than a sports focus.

    View details

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Code of Conduct
    • Wake Forest Pre-College Programs Applications
    • Wake Forest Pre-College Campus
    • Summer Immersion Program Dates | Wake Forest Pre-College
    • FAQ | Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
    • Apply - Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
    • Sports Medicine Institute | Wake Forest Summer Program

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)

    • Official program page checked

    • Application process reviewed

    • Eligibility requirements verified

    • Tuition and fees checked

    • Session dates reviewed

    • Campus arrangements verified

    • Safety information reviewed

    • Scholarship terms checked

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.