Is it really that hard to snag a Summer Research Program?

[MayoMedSchool]

Is it honestly that hard to snag a good-paying summer research program? I've applied to hundreds of places, and I just want to know how good my chances really are..

I am economically disadvantaged, as well as have a 3.89 GPA and 68 college credits already. They are mainly science interdisciplinary so that is good. I just graduated high school last June so will that make a difference?

This is where I applied:
Mayo SURF
Pittsburg AMGEN
Columbia AMGEN
UNLV Microbiology REU
UAA HL Ecology REU
UT Austin
Berkeley
Case Western Heart Lung and Blood REU
Case Western Pharmacology REU
NIH
Arizona State University REU

Should I honestly keep applying? I applied to most of these back in November and a couple just about a week ago. I want to know how good my standinsg really are..

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[Neuronette]

Most only take soph-juniors. Freshmen accepted if they are outstanding. Previous Research experience is a plus (highly highly recommended). My friend who applied to 7 last year as a freshman was rejecte from all 😳 .... So yes they are really competiive ... But who knows...

 

[Aerus]

Each program accepts only a very select few. Most freshmen don't have research experience or any signs to show excellence (many don't even have that high of a GPA).

How many credits you have as a freshman doesn't mean much because it's all AP/IB credits anyways (with the exception of CC classes). I have similar "stats" as you and I avoided applying to any this year because I lack significant research experience and a "stabilized" GPA.

I mean, you have a good GPA, so there is a chance you can get into one of them. Will it be difficult? Yes.

 

[Lamel]

They are very hard to get into, and some are specifically for sophomores and juniors, but you have 68 credits with a 3.89...as a freshman that is pretty damn impressive. You may be one of the few freshman that get in. Research experience is what you lack that will hold you back the most, but your economically disadvantaged status will help.

Either way, with a little bit of luck you will get in somewhere if you applied to lesser known ones.

 

[Ismet]

Is it honestly that hard to snag a good-paying summer research program? I've applied to hundreds of places, and I just want to know how good my chances really are..

I am economically disadvantaged, as well as have a 3.89 GPA and 68 college credits already. They are mainly science interdisciplinary so that is good. I just graduated high school last June so will that make a difference?

This is where I applied:
Mayo SURF
Pittsburg AMGEN
Columbia AMGEN
UNLV Microbiology REU
UAA HL Ecology REU
UT Austin
Berkeley
Case Western Heart Lung and Blood REU
Case Western Pharmacology REU
NIH
Arizona State University REU

Should I honestly keep applying? I applied to most of these back in November and a couple just about a week ago. I want to know how good my standinsg really are..

I got into the NIH program for the summer after my freshman year, so it's definitely doable, although it's competitive. It's based on the PI's and what they're looking for and whether they're willing to spend more time on someone who is less experienced in a lab. NIH is rolling so if that's one of the ones you just applied to, most of the positions might be filled by now, but I was offered my position in mid-March, so there's still time. I don't know about the rest of the programs. If there are still programs with open applications, I guess it can't hurt to apply, but also don't get discouraged if you don't get a spot. You have PLENTY of time to do research. If it doesn't work out, explore another interest this summer and try again next year, as sophomores and juniors have much better chances.

 

[plumhill]

Some of the programs you've listed are pretty competitive, but I know a ton of friends who got into REUs at less prestigious universities with no problem. I was unofficially associated with one of the REU programs at my school and some of the students weren't particularly impressive. So I'd apply to as many programs as you can, but chances are you'll get something.

 

[La Presse]

Your chances for AMGEN and MAYO are Slim Jim.

 

[chillaxbro]

I applied to one summer research thing for the summer before my senior year. Had 0 research experience and got accepted. To be fair, it was at my own school but I guess so was everyone else.

 

[mystifire]

i did one three years ago ( i pretty popular one that is well structured, good compensation, and has been around a while ) and they told us they had 520 applications for 30 spots.

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

It depends on the program, but in general they're extremely competitive and not at all worth it imo. You'd be better off just finding a lab on campus that you can work in all year-round, including the summer. You may not get paid, but who cares? The pay for REUs isn't that much anyway, and there's not much you can do in just a single summer. There is, however, a lot of ground you can cover in a long-term project over the summer, which means if you stay in a lab two full years you can likely get something impressive out of it.

 

[cuculici1]

They're all pretty hard to get into, but it doesn't hurt to apply. If one of your letter writers has connections with a research advisor in one of those programs, that can help quite a bit with getting admitted.

 

[NickNaylor]

I never realized that these programs were so competitive. I applied to one for the summer after my freshman year because I saw a flyer in our science building and it seemed pretty awesome. I applied only to that program and got accepted.

Since the only investment is your time, I would suggest applying to as many as possible if you really want to do it. You never know how it might end up, and it's a great opportunity to get involved with research in a fairly structured and organized way. My experience with that program fundamentally changed my understanding of research, and I'm extremely thankful that I had the opportunity to do it. Then again, I didn't go to an undergrad with tons of great researchers doing excellent work, so it was almost necessary to get involved with high quality, outstanding work.

 

[Narmerguy]

It depends on the program, but in general they're extremely competitive and not at all worth it imo. You'd be better off just finding a lab on campus that you can work in all year-round, including the summer. You may not get paid, but who cares? The pay for REUs isn't that much anyway, and there's not much you can do in just a single summer. There is, however, a lot of ground you can cover in a long-term project over the summer, which means if you stay in a lab two full years you can likely get something impressive out of it.

I never realized that these programs were so competitive. I applied to one for the summer after my freshman year because I saw a flyer in our science building and it seemed pretty awesome. I applied only to that program and got accepted.

Since the only investment is your time, I would suggest applying to as many as possible if you really want to do it. You never know how it might end up, and it's a great opportunity to get involved with research in a fairly structured and organized way. My experience with that program fundamentally changed my understanding of research, and I'm extremely thankful that I had the opportunity to do it. Then again, I didn't go to an undergrad with tons of great researchers doing excellent work, so it was almost necessary to get involved with high quality, outstanding work.

I would agree that it's probably fine for students to just find a research opportunity at their university over the summer. The ability to put more than a year into a project (including a summer) really advances how much work you can get done and makes the prospect of things like pubs, posters, etc much more likely. However, I can see Nick's point about schools that don't have good opportunities. For the most part it's luck anyway to get a researcher even with these summer programs that will substantially impact your view on research. Typically you'll either like it or you won't. I'd apply for those things but not get too worked up on not getting one and instead just make sure that you have some university options.