Clinical Scholars
Program
For Pre-Med Aspiring Clinicans
Your career starts here
About the Clinical Scholars Program
Real clinical experience
Work 1:1 with children with autism under BCBA supervision, accumulating direct patient-contact hours that strengthen any medical or doctoral program application.
A letter of recommendation that matters
Scholars who complete the 9–12 month program receive a formal letter of recommendation from Ally's Director of ABA Services — a credentialed clinical leader who can speak to your judgment, not just your grades.
Paid + credentialed
This isn't a volunteer role or shadowing gig. Scholars are paid employees who earn their RBT credential, work consistent hours, and leave with a resume entry that stands out in any applicant pool.
WHO THIS
IS FOR
The Clinical Scholars Program is designed for post-bacc and gap-year students who are serious about a future in medicine, clinical psychology, or behavioral health, and want hands-on patient experience that actually moves the needle on their application.
You're a fit if you:
- Have a bachelor's degree in psychology, neuroscience, pre-med, human development, or a related field
- Are planning to apply to MD, DO, PsyD, or PhD programs in the next 1–2 years
- Want supervised, direct patient-contact hours — not just shadowing or observation
- Are looking for a credible clinical recommender who can speak to your skills in a real care setting
- Can commit to a 9–12 month full-time schedule
WHAT
YOU'LL DO
As a Clinical Scholar at Ally Behavior Centers, you'll work directly with children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), delivering one-on-one ABA therapy sessions under the close supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
This is active, hands-on clinical work - not observation, not administrative support. You'll be in session, building real skills that translate directly into your doctoral applications and future clinical career.
What Your Day-to-Day Looks Like:
- Implement individualized treatment plans designed by your supervising BCBA
- Run structured therapy sessions using evidence-based ABA techniques
- Collect and record behavioral data during every session
- Participate in team meetings and case reviews with clinical staff
- Communicate progress and observations with BCBAs and families
- Work toward and maintain your RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) certification
WHAT
YOU'LL GAIN
The Clinical Scholars Program is structured to give you exactly what competitive doctoral and medical school applications are missing: documented clinical hours, a credentialed recommender, and proof that you can perform in a real care environment. Every hour you spend in session is an hour that goes on your application — and when you complete the program, you leave with more than a certificate.
Letter of recommendation
Scholars who complete the program receive a formal letter from Ally's Director of ABA Services — a credentialed clinical leader who can speak directly to your patient care skills, clinical judgment, and professional growth.
Hands-on clinical hours
You'll accumulate hundreds of direct patient-contact hours working 1:1 with children with ASD under BCBA supervision — the kind of documented, applied experience that sets applicants apart in competitive admissions pools.
Paid employment
This is a real job with a real paycheck. Scholars are hired as full employees, earn their RBT credential, and receive consistent hours — so you can build your application without taking on an unpaid internship or draining your savings.
THE LETTER
OF REC.
When you complete the Clinical Scholars Program, you won't just walk away with clinical hours — you'll walk away with a letter written by Dr. Korukonda, MD, BCBA-D, Ally's Director of ABA Services. Dr. K has spent over 20 years working with children with autism and their families, and holds dual credentials as both a physician and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the doctoral level. That combination is exceptionally rare. When he writes on your behalf, admissions committees notice.
Why this letter is different
You won't get a generic professor letter. You'll get one from a dual-credentialed MD and BCBA-D who watched you work.
Dr. Korukonda holds credentials as both a physician and a doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst — a combination that is exceptionally rare. After 9–12 months in the program, he writes from direct clinical observation, not a template.
