Summer Research Application and Acceptance Thread (REU, SURF, SURP, SIP, AMGEN etc.) 2014

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Not applying until next summer but curious to know if most applications ask for cumGPA or just science GPA?
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Med_Fit said:
Not applying until next summer but curious to know if most applications ask for cumGPA or just science GPA?
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I think most asked for cGPA, but some will ask for both.
 
Hey all,

I am applying to some programs for this summer which will be the summer I apply to med school. Has anyone else done this before? If so, did you find that your involvement in the program was very beneficial during your application cycle? Did you include it in your initial application or did you update the schools you were applying to? Did schools ask you more questions about it during interviews since it wasn't as highlighted on your original application? Since I started research in spring 2013 at my home university and continued it during the summer as a part of a research program (also at my home university), I really wanted a new experience at an outside facility/lab. Though, many people are saying doing a new program and applying to med school at the same time might be too much. Would love to hear everyones thoughts and personal experiences! Thanks!
 
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Art V. said:
Hey all,

I am applying to some programs for this summer which will be the summer I apply to med school. Has anyone else done this before? If so, did you find that your involvement in the program was very beneficial during your application cycle? Did you include it in your initial application or did you update the schools you were applying to? Did schools ask you more questions about it during interviews since it wasn't as highlighted on your original application? Since I started research in spring 2013 at my home university and continued it during the summer as a part of a research program (also at my home university), I really wanted a new experience at an outside facility/lab. Though, many people are saying doing a new program and applying to med school at the same time might be too much. Would love to hear everyones thoughts and personal experiences! Thanks!
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To be honest, at almost all the interviews I've to, none of my interviewers have really asked about any of my research experiences except for one interviewer who read my pub. It has only come up if I've brought it up. It is said that every applicant (or I should say most) have some form of research experience and interviewers will ask you about the more interesting things in your app.
 
nemo123 said:
I think UCSF AMGEN (based on previous threads), but you will need a unique life story to get in. No, not MIT AMGEN. I did MIT AMGEN and some people in my program were geniuses. Are you an URM by any chance? Stanford's whole AMGEN group at the conference at UCLA was all URM. However, these programs are crapshoots so pick and choose the ones you like and hope for the best.
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No I'm not URM. Pretty surprised Stanford's whole AMGEN group is only URM, but looking at their webpages they do seem to favor URMs like you say. I think the UC schools (UCSF) aren't allowed to favor URMs though because I've heard people say that affirmative action is banned in Cali. Not entirely sure though. Thanks for the info.
 
Hey guys! I made a list of programs I'm applying to and I wanted to get some input. I'm trying to make a realistic list so I can secure at least 1 acceptance.
Quick stats: 3.5 GPA, URM, first gen

Mayo
BWH STARS
University of Nebraska- Lincoln
Chicago Center for Systems Biology
Cincinnati Children's Hospital
EBICS
University of Arizona
Medical College of Wisconsin
Rutgers University
Iowa State University
The Jackson Laboratory
Marquette University
Mississippi State University
UCSF
Colorado State University

Does anyone have some advice if I should add or remove some? Thanks for all the help everyone! 😀
 
Hey guys! Have any of you applied to summer research programs with a relatively low gpa? ~3.1-3.0? I'm not applying to any fancy/competitive research internships, but from what y'all are saying..it seems as if my chances are complete crap shoot! I have previous research experience however...
 
BPM said:
Hey guys! I made a list of programs I'm applying to and I wanted to get some input. I'm trying to make a realistic list so I can secure at least 1 acceptance.
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That looks like a fair list. It's hard to suggest specific programs though, since there are just so many of them! From my experience, the most competitive stats-wise are the AMGEN programs, in addition to the more coveted SURF/SURPs (NYU SURP comes to mind...they get >1000 applications every year, which is absolutely insane). Lesser-known programs and REUs tend to be more selective based on fit because they get a smaller pool of applicants and accept a fewer number of students.

My advice would be to go down your list and come up with a couple of reasons why you would want to attend that specific program (e.g. interested in attending their med/grad school, specific PI you want to work with, location, well-known school in that field, etc.) If you can't find a compelling reason to apply to a program, I suggest you drop it and replace it with another.
 
BPM said:
Hey guys! I made a list of programs I'm applying to and I wanted to get some input. I'm trying to make a realistic list so I can secure at least 1 acceptance.
Quick stats: 3.5 GPA, URM, first gen

Mayo
BWH STARS
University of Nebraska- Lincoln
Chicago Center for Systems Biology
Cincinnati Children's Hospital
EBICS
University of Arizona
Medical College of Wisconsin
Rutgers University
Iowa State University
The Jackson Laboratory
Marquette University
Mississippi State University
UCSF
Colorado State University

Does anyone have some advice if I should add or remove some? Thanks for all the help everyone! 😀
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I think your list looks good. I have heard that Mayo PIs pick who they want for their SURF program so you might want to contact a couple. @JohnnyRomanes will have more insight into this.

ya0310793 said:
Hey guys! Have any of you applied to summer research programs with a relatively low gpa? ~3.1-3.0? I'm not applying to any fancy/competitive research internships, but from what y'all are saying..it seems as if my chances are complete crap shoot! I have previous research experience however...
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A 3.0-3.1 is going to be too low to be competitive enough for summer programs. You could always try though and have a backup plan in case it doesn't work out. Some of these programs get tons of 4.0s and in the programs that I did, everyone probably had a 3.8+...
 
I know of a couple of people who had a ~3.2 at when I did my SURF program at Mayo Clinic and they weren't even URM. Apparently, they had really stellar personal statements and LORs. For Mayo, they have one person filter out applicants based on the PIs GPA choice (could be last 2 semesters, whole GPA, BPCM, etc) so it's really random, most have a cutoff around 3.7 though. Once the applicants make the cut, that person sends the application (LOR, PS, etc) to the PIs and they usually choose 1-2 students for their lab. I think last summer had over a hundred students but >1500 applied. Also remember that they stress a lot less on GPA and more on PS and LORs. I've heard a good amount of ~3.9 GPA'ers get rejected from multiple summer programs, while <3.3 GPA students at summer program is not uncommon. I think the biggest factor in these programs is making the potential GPA cut (varies on school), having a stellar PS (remember, they don't meet you at all so this is where it really counts), having great LORs (specifically research ones, if done any), and being persistent (contact regularly but not annoyingly to see where you application stands) by showing interest in that particular program whenever calling or sending emails and always mention your name so they get familiar with it. It seemed to work for me at least, 2012 I got accepted to 5 of the 9 I applied to and I was doing quite the amount of contacting to find a PI and lab that best suited my interests. So it really is unpredictable GPA-wise, but with a great all around application, one should be able to get in if they applied to a good amount of schools ~10. Also, Most programs don't care about how late you send the apps because most of them don't start reviewing and sending out calls until a month later. I recall that I sent all of my applications 3 days before their respective deadlines lol.
 
Thank you for the response. It was very informative! Although I'm not applying to any super competitive summer programs like, AMGEN, SURF, Mayo, Sloan etc. Because I'm sure those programs will be a complete crap shoot for me. But I am applying to some relatively known programs like MD-Anderson CPRIT, which surprisingly, isn't asking me for a transcript but just LOC, and the Leadership Alliance program. Does anyone have information on the Leadership alliance program, as far as statistics? I can't find anything. Also, should I also include in my application that I was accepted to other competitive programs last year? Like SMDEP?
 
Hello all, I'd love to give input but it wasn't until today that I realized just how competitive are these summer programs... well. Now I'm not sure where I stand. Would anybody kindly give a glance at my list as well? Background info: an Ivy League, sophomore, 3.7-3.8 GPA, not a URM, no prior lab experience. I asked a really cool bio professor for a LOR, but unfortunately he happens to be terribly busy and popular, and I guess he doesn't know me as well as he could have.

  • Program for students at my school only
  • Columbia/Barnard Amgen
  • UCLA Amgen
  • UCSD Amgen
  • Yale STARS
  • Princeton SURP
  • Emory SURE
  • University of Rhode Island SURF
  • Stowers Summer Scholars
  • Maybe Rockefeller, if I remove one of the above.
Thanks a bunch and happy early New Year. For futuredoc95, if you're set on starting research now, well you gotta start somewhere, right? I've also been advised to do the cold-calling thing to professors at other universities who are in fields of interest to you. And JUST KEEP ON LOOKING. http://people.rit.edu/gtfsbi/Symp/premed.htm However, I was in the same boat as you last year, so instead I looked for other options: summer job, internships for freshmen, volunteering at a hospital. 🙂 These are also productive and "premed-approved" ways to spend your summer. (Edited post for formatting & privacy reasons)​
 
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parrotisland said:
Hello all, I'd love to give input but it wasn't until today that I realized just how competitive are these summer programs... well. Now I'm not sure where I stand. Would anybody kindly give a glance at my list as well? Background info: an Ivy League, sophomore, 3.7-3.8 GPA, not a URM, no prior lab experience. I asked a really cool bio professor for a LOR, but unfortunately he happens to be terribly busy and popular, and I guess he doesn't know me as well as he could have.

  • Program for students at my school only
  • Columbia/Barnard Amgen
  • UCLA Amgen
  • UCSD Amgen
  • Yale STARS
  • Princeton SURP
  • Emory SURE
  • University of Rhode Island SURF
  • Stowers Summer Scholars
  • Maybe Rockefeller, if I remove one of the above.
Thanks a bunch and happy early New Year. For futuredoc95, if you're set on starting research now, well you gotta start somewhere, right? I've also been advised to do the cold-calling thing to professors at other universities who are in fields of interest to you. And JUST KEEP ON LOOKING. http://people.rit.edu/gtfsbi/Symp/premed.htm However, I was in the same boat as you last year, so instead I looked for other options: summer job, internships for freshmen, volunteering at a hospital. 🙂 These are also productive and "premed-approved" ways to spend your summer. (Edited post for formatting & privacy reasons)​
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The Yale STARS program is URM.
The rest of the list looks good though!
 
futuredoc95 said:
Is it worth applying to this competitive summer programs as a pre-med freshman at a community college with a 4.0, pretty good EC's essay and LOR
but nothing incredibly unique? Are they biased against freshman, particularly a community college freshman with barely any research experience? Are there more fitting programs for people like me?
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If you can find programs that take freshmen (there aren't that many), it may actually be good that you're at a community college. These programs want to give research opportunities to people who cannot get them at their home institutions. And you have a 4.0 which certainly doesn't hurt.
 
Does anyone know if these programs have rolling admissions? Or should we just submit our application before the deadline?
Thanks for all the help and happy holidays!
 
BPM said:
Does anyone know if these programs have rolling admissions? Or should we just submit our application before the deadline?
Thanks for all the help and happy holidays!
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Depends on the program. Most programs aren't rolling. It'll normally say on the website.
 
parrotisland said:
Wow, really? Thank you Med_Fit!
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Normally, most programs will post group photos of people who have participated in their programs, and you can generally tell from that if the program is for minorities or not.
 
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nemo123 said:
Normally, most programs will post group photos of people who have participated in their programs, and you can generally tell from that if the program is for minorities specifically or not.
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Smart. I also just finished emailing the Dean at Yale to make sure whether I qualify, since the program states that it is also designed to include women, presumably of all ethnicities. I probably won't end up applying, but I can post what she says as info for other interested applicants.
 
Has anyone here been accepted to Sloan SURP? :-(
 
Qwerty2013 said:
Has anyone here been accepted to Sloan SURP? :-(
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I wonder what percentage of SDNers are URM. Sloan SURP would be a dream for me if my dad had married that Hispanic chick he dated in college... Smh
 
Med_Fit said:
I wonder what percentage of SDNers are URM. Sloan SURP would be a dream for me if my dad had married that Hispanic chick he dated in college... Smh
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I think Sloan is not an URM program. I saw a photo of the program participants on their page once. Also from the profile of applicants I've seen on their page, they are from Harvard, Duke, Cornell, Amherst etcetc lol Sloan seems to be the most difficult to get into TT_TT
 
Anyone have any insight into the Harvard Stem Cell Institute Internship Program? The program sounds awesome, and I'm currently an intern at a stem cell commercialization startup so I have developed an interest in stem cells, but I don't know much about the program other than whats on paper.

Also any info on the acceptance rates/general info on NYU Sackler and Rutgers RWJMS Neurobiology SURP would be greatly appreciated.
 
Qwerty2013 said:
I think Sloan is not an URM program. I saw a photo of the program participants on their page once. Also from the profile of applicants I've seen on their page, they are from Harvard, Duke, Cornell, Amherst etcetc lol Sloan seems to be the most difficult to get into TT_TT
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Sloan isn't for URMs. I have no idea how they choose because their essays are really short and they get a ton of applicants (I wanted to do Sloan SURP too since I have interests in cancer research, but they rejected me). I do know one person who did Sloan SURP and he told me that they don't like applicants who say their professional goal is to get an MD-PhD or an MD.

On an unrelated note, I like the clown fish avatar. 🙂

warrior209 said:
Anyone have any insight into the Harvard Stem Cell Institute Internship Program? The program sounds awesome, and I'm currently an intern at a stem cell commercialization startup so I have developed an interest in stem cells, but I don't know much about the program other than whats on paper.

Also any info on the acceptance rates/general info on NYU Sackler and Rutgers RWJMS Neurobiology SURP would be greatly appreciated.
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I met someone at my SURP program who did HSCI the year before our SURP. She really liked the experience, and they offer very overpriced housing (my friend said she just subletted a house with some of the other HSCI members).

I think NYU Sackler has a crazy low acceptance rate (<5%). I'm not sure about RWJMS. I was about to apply there, but decided against it.
 
nemo123 said:
Sloan isn't for URMs. I have no idea how they choose because their essays are really short and they get a ton of applicants (I wanted to do Sloan SURP too since I have interests in cancer research, but they rejected me). I do know one person who did Sloan SURP and he told me that they don't like applicants who say their professional goal is to get an MD-PhD or an MD.

On an unrelated note, I like the clown fish avatar. 🙂



I met someone at my SURP program who did HSCI the year before our SURP. She really liked the experience, and they offer very overpriced housing (my friend said she just subletted a house with some of the other HSCI members).

I think NYU Sackler has a crazy low acceptance rate (<5%). I'm not sure about RWJMS. I was about to apply there, but decided against it.
Click to expand...

🙁
so for someone who wants an md/phd, what should s/he say?
I just want to learn and do research?
 
Qwerty2013 said:
🙁
so for someone who wants an md/phd, what should s/he say?
I just want to learn and do research?
Click to expand...

I think you might want to emphasize the PhD part of it more (because the things about some of these programs is that they're trying to sell their own grad school to you). But that might be difficult given how short the essays will have to be.

Also, it isn't to say that they won't accept you. The person I referenced earlier told me he put MD-PhD as his goal and was originally waitlisted by Sloan and was later accepted. He later asked the director of the program why he was waitlisted at first and the director told him part of the reason was because he said he chose MD-PhD as his degree goal.
 
ya0310793 said:
Thank you for the response. It was very informative! Although I'm not applying to any super competitive summer programs like, AMGEN, SURF, Mayo, Sloan etc. Because I'm sure those programs will be a complete crap shoot for me. But I am applying to some relatively known programs like MD-Anderson CPRIT, which surprisingly, isn't asking me for a transcript but just LOC, and the Leadership Alliance program. Does anyone have information on the Leadership alliance program, as far as statistics? I can't find anything. Also, should I also include in my application that I was accepted to other competitive programs last year? Like SMDEP?
Click to expand...


So, No one has any information about this? I love how this thread has about 2000+ views but only 76 responses lol.
 
I found this estimated data on one of the threads created for summer internships 2012. I know that was like two years ago, but I think it will give anyone interested a fair idea of how selective this programs are. Good luck everyone!
2012 DATA

Johns Hopkins Nanobiotech REU: 12 positions / 700 applicants = 1.7% acceptance rate
Columbia Amgen: 17 positions / 900+ applicants = &#8804; 1.9% acceptance rate
Vienna Biocenter SS: 25 spots / 1200 applicants = ~ 2.1% acceptance rate
UCSD Regen./M.S. BioE. REU: 10 positions / 450+ applicants = &#8804; 2.2% acceptance rate
NYU Sackler SURP: 30 positions + 20 alternates / ~1250 applicants = 2.4% acceptance rate (4% including alternates)
Cold Spring Harbor Lab. URP: 25 positions / 880 applicants = ~ 2.8% acceptance rate
Wadsworth REU: 10 positions / 340 applicants = ~ 2.9% acceptance rate
UMich Cardio: 10 positions / 300+ applicants = &#8804; 3% acceptance rate
NYU CNS REU: 10 positions / ~300 applicants = ~ 3% acceptance rate
Penn State (Hershey) SURIP: 15 positions / 393 applicants = 3.8% acceptance rate
UVA SRIP: 30 positions / 670+ applicants = &#8804; 4.5% acceptance rate
UW Amgen: ~26 positions / 560 applicants = 4.6% acceptance rate
Cincinnati Children's SURF: 50 positions / 1000+ applicants = &#8804; 5% acceptance rate
UV SNURF: ~10 positions / 200 applicants = > 5% acceptance rate
Mt. Sinai SURP: 13-25 positions / 400-453 applicants = 2.9-6.3% acceptance rate
Johns Hopkins SIP (all divisions): 85 positions / 1146 applicants = 7.4% acceptance rate
Yale BioSTEP: 24 positions / ~300 applicants = 8% acceptance rate
UTSW SURF: 85 positions + ~150 alternates / 1000+ applicants = &#8804; 8.5% acceptance rate (&#8804; 23.5% including alternates)
Mayo SURF: 120 positions / 1135 applicants = 10.6% acceptance rate

International Programs 2012 Data:

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne SRP (France): 25 positions / 633 applicants = ~ 4% acceptance rate

Incomplete 2012 Data:

URochester SURF: 10-12 positions / ??? applicants = ??? acceptance rate
Baylor SMART: ~70 positions / ??? applicants = ??? acceptance rate
Case Pharmacology SURP: 6 positions / ??? applicants = ??? acceptance rate
MCW SPUR: ??? positions / 500+ applicants = ??? acceptance rate

Summer 2011 Data:

Vandy UCRIP: 14 positions / 700 applicants = 2% acceptance rate
UCSD NSF REU: 10 positions / 400+ applicants = &#8804; 2.5% acceptance rate
Mt. Sinai SURP: 13 positions / 400+ applicants = &#8804; 3.25% acceptance rate
BU SURF: 20 positions / 500+ applicants = &#8804; 4% acceptance rate
UMD/FDA Mol./Cell Bioeng. REU: 10 positions / 250+ applicants = &#8804; 4% acceptance rate
Jax SSP: 35 positions + 175 alternates / 550 applicants = ~ 6.4% acceptance rate (38.2% including alternates)
UVA SRIP: 30 positions / 400+ applicants = 7.5% acceptance rate
 
I want to apply to a number of SURF/SURP programs but I already have a lot of research experience (pubs, defending a thesis as a junior, etc). Would this actually count against me? It seems like the programs want people who can't/haven't done much research. Should I downplay my previous experience?
 
Previous research in these programs help tremendously. A high cGPA and essay are going to get you overlooked very quickly.

What kind of applicants do you think get into Janelia or Sackler? -_-
 
plumhill said:
I want to apply to a number of SURF/SURP programs but I already have a lot of research experience (pubs, defending a thesis as a junior, etc). Would this actually count against me? It seems like the programs want people who can't/haven't done much research. Should I downplay my previous experience?
Click to expand...

Agree with LaPresse. While some programs are geared towards applicants who don't have an opportunity to conduct much research, a lot of these programs do not discriminate against applicants who have lots of research experience (generally as long as you have a specific reason for wanting to do a summer program). In both programs I did, a lot of people had extensive research experience.
 
How are you guys approaching your essays? I'm trying to find the right balance between specificity and generality (which makes writing 7 essays much easier 😉)
 
I'm doing mostly generality
bwblue said:
How are you guys approaching your essays? I'm trying to find the right balance between specificity and generality (which makes writing 7 essays much easier 😉)
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Are there any short term research undergrad internships that are around 2 weeks only?
 
dikoza said:
Isn't the deadline for that program February 15th? How did you get accepted?
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I applied a half hour after the application came out so I was one of the first apps in. I made sure to list labs I wanted to join. As for why I got it before Feb 15th, I have no clue :3

EDIT: nemo says Rolling admission, I believe the man
 
BPM said:
Congratulations!! I also applied to that program. Do you mind me asking what your GPA is and if you have any research experience?
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Freshman, 4.0, non-URM, no prior research experience but good PS and LoR + Very Early App and listed labs I liked and wanted to join (Must have helped)
 
PleaseCallMeDoc said:
Freshman, 4.0, non-URM, no prior research experience but good PS and LoR + Very Early App and listed labs I liked and wanted to join (Must have helped)
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Thanks so much! I also listed the labs I would like to join and have pretty good LoRs. I hope to hear good news soon!
 
Can anyone clarify something for me? Im looking into Johns Hopkins SIP program and it says it requires at least 1 year of college. Im currently a freshman and the program starts sometime in May, so can i still apply? Thanks!
 
Spitphire said:
Can anyone clarify something for me? Im looking into Johns Hopkins SIP program and it says it requires at least 1 year of college. Im currently a freshman and the program starts sometime in May, so can i still apply? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Based on that info, you probably can, but some programs are a little biased against rising sophomores. I do know Hopkins SIP is also very competitive.

To be sure though, you should probably call or email them.
 
plumhill said:
I'm really interested in applying for NIH SIP. My top choice site is NIAID (either in Hamilton or Bethesda, don't really mind which one). How competitive is it, and what kind of applicants are they looking for? I'm a microbiology major with a good amount of lab experience, and I've taken courses on both bacterial and eukaryotic pathogens and immunology with A's and A-'s.
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I did the NIH NIDDK STEP UP for 4 years through high school and undergraduate. I know speakers at the Bethesda conference did mention that they really want people that can devote a two year commitment. Other than that I really think it depends on what the PI would like to see in his/her lab.

EDIT: Sorry the 2 year thing is for the post-bac. Actually when I applied I usually had my PIs lined up and just told my coordinator that. When I applied to an out of region place, they told me I'd have a pick of who I wanted to work with (Penn is where I applied).
 
Confirmed that freshman can apply to Johns Hopkins SIP. I'm not really expecting to be accepted especially this late in applying but its worth a shot 😀 Good luck to everyone who has applied!
 
nemo123 said:
To be honest, at almost all the interviews I've to, none of my interviewers have really asked about any of my research experiences except for one interviewer who read my pub. It has only come up if I've brought it up. It is said that every applicant (or I should say most) have some form of research experience and interviewers will ask you about the more interesting things in your app.
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So I'm already in two research labs one neuroscience/clinically oriented (honors thesis), and another in a chemical synthesis lab that is quite prolific--meaning I'll be getting published if the work gets published (1 to 3 papers, middle author). Does this mean, since research hasn't been a major talking point, that a SURE/REU likely wouldn't benefit my application to a significant degree? I'm aiming for a research oriented allopathic school (read northeaster top 20).
 
Spitphire said:
Confirmed that freshman can apply to Johns Hopkins SIP. I'm not really expecting to be accepted especially this late in applying but its worth a shot 😀 Good luck to everyone who has applied!
Click to expand...
Does applying late hurt your chances?
 
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