Anyone here get accepted to an internship at the NIH?

[Raihan Mirza]

Just curious anyone here get accepted into an internship at the NIH. I hear that is a really good place to get accepted to do research. To those of you who have successfully completed the program, mind telling us the actual application process, like what website did you go to to get the application and the steps you took to apply? What did yu do that you think might have increased your chances of getting in and finally what recommendation do you have for future applicants for the NIH internship? The reason why I am asking is because I plan on applying next year as a sophmore. Also I was wondering whether Freshmen Undergrads could apply to this program and whether they have as good of a chance of getting accepted as sophmores juniors and seniors?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[tictaq]

I am currently applying right now...will let you know if I hear anything

 

[abcxyz0123]

i got accepted to the IRTA program a few weeks ago

 

[Raihan Mirza]

what website did you go to to get the application and the steps you took to apply? What did yu do that you think might have increased your chances of getting in and finally what recommendation do you have for future applicants for the NIH internship?

 

[longquan]

I'm working at NCI this summer and was at NIA in Baltimore last summer. To find the application, just google "NIH SIP" and it'll be the first thing that comes up. Right now it says the app for next summer will be up in mid-November. Definitely send it in as early as you can because they're read and accepted on a rolling basis. Also, make sure you contact individual scientists and let them know that you're interested (you can look up labs and contact info on the NIH website). It helps to have inside connections too, although I never had any. I know of a bunch of people who got in as high school rising seniors, so I'm sure college freshmen have a good shot.

 

[ssquared]

Just curious anyone here get accepted into an internship at the NIH. I hear that is a really good place to get accepted to do research. To those of you who have successfully completed the program, mind telling us the actual application process, like what website did you go to to get the application and the steps you took to apply? What did yu do that you think might have increased your chances of getting in and finally what recommendation do you have for future applicants for the NIH internship? The reason why I am asking is because I plan on applying next year as a sophmore. Also I was wondering whether Freshmen Undergrads could apply to this program and whether they have as good of a chance of getting accepted as sophmores juniors and seniors?

1) training.nih.gov has all the info you need for the application process

2) contacting the PIs is crucial. they rarely take the time to shift through thousands (yes, thousands) of resumes so taking the inititive to call them and ask about working in their lab shows a lot. That, or having inside connections, but unless you're from DC, that probably won't happen.

3) Having good grades and good LORs is helpful as well. Having prior research experience (and somebody who can vouch for your level of compentency) is also very helpful, but not required.

4) Pretty much anybody from high school to medical school can apply. They like to take older students, but that's not a hard and fast rule. Lots of rising sophomores are accepted into the program.

5) try the search function for the forums, because this has been discussed a lot, and NIH isn't going to come up unrelated too often.

 

[hj7korp]

Just curious anyone here get accepted into an internship at the NIH. I hear that is a really good place to get accepted to do research. To those of you who have successfully completed the program, mind telling us the actual application process, like what website did you go to to get the application and the steps you took to apply? What did yu do that you think might have increased your chances of getting in and finally what recommendation do you have for future applicants for the NIH internship? The reason why I am asking is because I plan on applying next year as a sophmore. Also I was wondering whether Freshmen Undergrads could apply to this program and whether they have as good of a chance of getting accepted as sophmores juniors and seniors?

I just got accepted to the IRTA program a few weeks ago. I put on my application in mid-April, and a PI contacted me a few weeks later. But I recommend you to contact PI's as soon as you submit your application. My immunology professor worked at NIH for several years and he wrote me a letter or reference, which I think helped me a lot. I did a phone interview with my PI and later he contacted my research mentor to discuss what kind of work I did. My mentor and the PI had a very positive discussion and I was offered a position literally 10 min. after their phone conversation. hope this helps.

 

[mtlove]

Just curious anyone here get accepted into an internship at the NIH. I hear that is a really good place to get accepted to do research. To those of you who have successfully completed the program, mind telling us the actual application process, like what website did you go to to get the application and the steps you took to apply? What did yu do that you think might have increased your chances of getting in and finally what recommendation do you have for future applicants for the NIH internship? The reason why I am asking is because I plan on applying next year as a sophmore. Also I was wondering whether Freshmen Undergrads could apply to this program and whether they have as good of a chance of getting accepted as sophmores juniors and seniors?

I have been an IRTA at NIH for a year, so I am some what familiar with how things run. PIs love Freshmen. Most PIs I know hire a freshman and will bring the person back each summer, so it is best to apply early. I am sure some PIs hire older student, but I have no examples of this.

The most important aspect of applying to this program is contacting PIs. Many PIs accept people that contacted them. From talking to PI near me, his mail box get flooded by people wanting to come during the summer. With so many people contacting them, they are not likely to look at the data base. Similarly, some (such as my PI) will only hire people that email him. Finally, having prior research experience is important for you to be very competitive. Some PIs do use the data base to find applicants with prior research experience in their research area, so they can spend less time training the intern.

 

[tictaq]

This is very helpful. Where is the list of PI's? On the website?

thanks in advance!

 

[mtlove]

This is very helpful. Where is the list of PI's? On the website?

thanks in advance!

Check all of the institute webpages (typically under the intramural section). If you are interested in neuroscience, google "Neuroscience at NIH" for a list of faculty. I am unaware of any websites that list faculty for any other research areas. Good luck.