Summer Research Application and Acceptance Thread (REU, SURF, SURP, SIP, AMGEN etc.) 2016

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I'm a freshman right now, and I've been looking into doing some research or internship over the summer around the Boston area, but almost all of the programs I've seen require some type of previous research experience (which I do not have) or require that you are a minority/underrepresented in medicine. I really want to get involved this summer, but will I just have to settle for volunteering at a hospital (not saying this is a bad option, just that I would like to get involved in some type of research, but with little research background and no connections, it seems hard to come by). I feel like Boston should have a lot more opportunities out there!

Also, would it be okay to get in touch with local professors about their research and ask if I could help them out, even if I do not go to their college? (I go to college out of state)
 
DrayDaze said:
I'm a freshman right now, and I've been looking into doing some research or internship over the summer around the Boston area, but almost all of the programs I've seen require some type of previous research experience (which I do not have) or require that you are a minority/underrepresented in medicine. I really want to get involved this summer, but will I just have to settle for volunteering at a hospital (not saying this is a bad option, just that I would like to get involved in some type of research, but with little research background and no connections, it seems hard to come by). I feel like Boston should have a lot more opportunities out there!

Also, would it be okay to get in touch with local professors about their research and ask if I could help them out, even if I do not go to their college? (I go to college out of state)
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Yeah! Some professors allow students from other universities to work in their labs during the academic year or over the summer. I would definitely ask. Although it's not impossible to get in without research experience, it is incredibly difficult to get into the higher end programs without it.
 
ElCapone said:
Btw guys, if y'all need help with your PS for REU's, feel free to PM them to me. I was accepted to multiple national REU programs, and have 5+ years of research experience.

For what it's worth, I also have a 78+ LizzyM and currently have IIs for several Top 10 institutions.
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how do i become you
 
sacredhearts said:
@WedgeDawg could you share some tips for the NIH cover letter? or anyone with NIH SIP experience? Thank you ^__^
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So when I heard back from places, no one really mentioned anything in my cover letter. I made it fairly generic and just stated my goals, interests, and stuff like that. I applied as a freshman in college and didn't have any real experience at the time and thus wasn't a supper interesting applicant. The really important thing was the individual emails I sent to PIs explaining why I wanted to work specifically in their labs and on their projects.
 
baratheonfire said:
how do i become you
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Step 1: Grind up glass
Step 2: Ingest it

That's what the last 4 years has been like, and it's why I can't wait to get done with undergrad and go to med school. I'm exhausted by all the BS and crud I've had to put up with for the last 4 years. Probably doesn't help that my state school at times is pure garbage.
 
Does anyone have any experience with the public health summer programs? The programs Im applying to this year are

The Columbia Summer Public Health Scholars Program.

John Hopkins Summer Internship Program

University of Michigan Public Health Leaders Program

Morehouse Project IMHOTEP

Thanks everyone!
 
Could someone advise me on whether a Summer program is right for me?

I am already in a research group and I will have been in it for just over a year by the time next summer hits. Would it be better for me to attend some summer program or continue to perform in my lab and attempt to be productive? (I suppose, continue work in my wet lab, or go to a flashy NIH program?)

I am looking at applying MD/PhD. I will have ~2.5 years of research when I apply. This summer will be my last full summer before the cycle I apply in.
 
7331poas said:
Could someone advise me on whether a Summer program is right for me?

I am already in a research group and I will have been in it for just over a year by the time next summer hits. Would it be better for me to attend some summer program or continue to perform in my lab and attempt to be productive? (I suppose, continue work in my wet lab, or go to a flashy NIH program?)

I am looking at applying MD/PhD. I will have ~2.5 years of research when I apply. This summer will be my last full summer before the cycle I apply in.
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Continue your work in your own lab. What do you think doing 2-3 months of completely new and unfamiliar bench research elsewhere is going to accomplish when you could be using that time to work on an existing project that you've been doing for a while?
 
WedgeDawg said:
Continue your work in your own lab. What do you think doing 2-3 months of completely new and unfamiliar bench research elsewhere is going to accomplish when you could be using that time to work on an existing project that you've been doing for a while?
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Additional knowledge, exposure, connections, more experience...
 
WedgeDawg said:
Continue your work in your own lab. What do you think doing 2-3 months of completely new and unfamiliar bench research elsewhere is going to accomplish when you could be using that time to work on an existing project that you've been doing for a while?
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For me applying this year it's really about working with an MD or MD/PhD PI (so the only programs I'm applying to are those where I can do that) for the sake of mentorship from someone who has my "dream job".
 
Bioenchilada said:
Additional knowledge, exposure, connections, more experience...
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You likely won't accomplish enough for it to be worthwhile unless you're put on a project that is very near completion. It's almost always the safer bet to stay in the lab you're in, as you don't have to go through the "training period" to start being productive. Summer research internships are great for people who are looking to get their feet wet in research, but aren't fantastic for those (like you) who have already established a foothold. Working in more labs does not by itself make you a more attractive candidate, but showing that you can be productive and efficient in a single one certainly does.
 
WedgeDawg said:
You likely won't accomplish enough for it to be worthwhile unless you're put on a project that is very near completion. It's almost always the safer bet to stay in the lab you're in, as you don't have to go through the "training period" to start being productive. Summer research internships are great for people who are looking to get their feet wet in research, but aren't fantastic for those (like you) who have already established a foothold. Working in more labs does not by itself make you a more attractive candidate, but showing that you can be productive and efficient in a single one certainly does.
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Ok thanks. I was wondering if just the fact that I was at an NIH program for instance would be helpful at all just by name recognition.

I personally wanted to stay in my lab for the summer anyway. Thanks for the help.
 
7331poas said:
Ok thanks. I was wondering if just the fact that I was at an NIH program for instance would be helpful at all just by name recognition.

I personally wanted to stay in my lab for the summer anyway. Thanks for the help.
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Just as a general rule of thumb, lab "name-recognition" doesn't mean anything as an undergrad. Additionally, just because it's intramural NIH doesn't mean it's super productive or super high powered or anything. There are plenty of mediocre labs floating around the NIH campus.
 
WedgeDawg said:
Just as a general rule of thumb, lab "name-recognition" doesn't mean anything as an undergrad. Additionally, just because it's intramural NIH doesn't mean it's super productive or super high powered or anything. There are plenty of mediocre labs floating around the NIH campus.
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Hmm, I think name recognition was a bad choice of words. I think I meant to say was a health related lab. Currently I do work p chem related work. Whereas the MD PhD programs I wish to enter are more along the lines of pharmacology.

As of right now, the angle I will work is simply that spectral work (majority of what I do) is applicable to all fields of wet lab work.

However, if I were to join an NIH lab for a summer which is directly related would be high yield at all.
 
7331poas said:
Hmm, I think name recognition was a bad choice of words. I think I meant to say was a health related lab. Currently I do work p chem related work. Whereas the MD PhD programs I wish to enter are more along the lines of pharmacology.

As of right now, the angle I will work is simply that spectral work (majority of what I do) is applicable to all fields of wet lab work.

However, if I were to join an NIH lab for a summer which is directly related would be high yield at all.
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Laboratory techniques specific to the lab you'll work in when doing your MD/PhD are things you'll learn while you're doing your MD/PhD. While it can be valuable to have technique experience, having experience with how research works and the paradigm scientific research follows is far more valuable. Technical experience is not worth switching labs for 2 months. If you personally think you're going to get something out of joining a pharm lab for a couple months, that's one thing, but if you're doing it to impress admissions committees, you're all-around better off staying in your current lab.
 
FantasyVesperia said:
So I've decided I'm going to be applying to three this year:

- Project IMHOTEP: Morehouse College
- MCHC/RISE-UP: Kennedy Krieger Institute
- SPHSP: Columbia University

I'm still looking out for more, but these three are a definite.
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I'm applying for SPHSP and MCHC as well. Best of luck to you!
 
Is there anything specifically impressive/better about going to one of these summer programs over just doing research at your own university over the summer. Like would an adcom member see that someone went to a SURF program and be like "wow, impressive. he got accepted to so and so this summer". Or would it be equally beneficial to just starting research at my own uni during the summer?
 
Halcyon32 said:
Is there anything specifically impressive/better about going to one of these summer programs over just doing research at your own university over the summer. Like would an adcom member see that someone went to a SURF program and be like "wow, impressive. he got accepted to so and so this summer". Or would it be equally beneficial to just starting research at my own uni during the summer?
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It won't make that much of a difference either way. The benefit to these programs is that they're generally more structured and are great for people who haven't had much exposure to research because they teach you a lot. However, if you know what you're doing, you can likely be more productive working for a lab outside of a structured program.
 
WedgeDawg said:
Laboratory techniques specific to the lab you'll work in when doing your MD/PhD are things you'll learn while you're doing your MD/PhD. While it can be valuable to have technique experience, having experience with how research works and the paradigm scientific research follows is far more valuable. Technical experience is not worth switching labs for 2 months. If you personally think you're going to get something out of joining a pharm lab for a couple months, that's one thing, but if you're doing it to impress admissions committees, you're all-around better off staying in your current lab.
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Hey, I did the NIH SIP last summer and I found the research very interesting. I'm working in a lab on campus right now, and to be honest, the research is not as interesting. I'm also not really doing anything; just helping with basic things around the lab and reading over papers to get an idea of what the lab does. I feel like nothing will come of my work in this lab, however, my plan was to stay there for the next year and see what happens. Do you think it would be better for me to stay there over the summer or try the SIP again, returning to the lab I was in previously?
 
acetylmandarin said:
Hey, I did the NIH SIP last summer and I found the research very interesting. I'm working in a lab on campus right now, and to be honest, the research is not as interesting. I'm also not really doing anything; just helping with basic things around the lab and reading over papers to get an idea of what the lab does. I feel like nothing will come of my work in this lab, however, my plan was to stay there for the next year and see what happens. Do you think it would be better for me to stay there over the summer or try the SIP again, returning to the lab I was in previously?
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People definitely do return to their SIP labs for multiple summers. The main problem is a lack of continuity. There are 9 months in between what you did before and what you're going to do next. If you enjoyed your SIP and the PI will take you back (and they often will), go ahead and do that again, but I think the problem you're facing is the fact that your current lab isn't the right environment for you. My suggestion would be to try to change labs at your school so that you feel like you're actually doing something interesting. Don't stay in a lab if you're bored and unproductive.
 
WedgeDawg said:
People definitely do return to their SIP labs for multiple summers. The main problem is a lack of continuity. There are 9 months in between what you did before and what you're going to do next. If you enjoyed your SIP and the PI will take you back (and they often will), go ahead and do that again, but I think the problem you're facing is the fact that your current lab isn't the right environment for you. My suggestion would be to try to change labs at your school so that you feel like you're actually doing something interesting. Don't stay in a lab if you're bored and unproductive.
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I have a feeling that if I stayed in my current lab, my PI would put me to work eventually. And I'll take some of my words back, the current lab's material isn't THAT boring, but it definitely isn't as interesting as what I was doing at the NIH
 
acetylmandarin said:
I have a feeling that if I stayed in my current lab, my PI would put me to work eventually. And I'll take some of my words back, the current lab's material isn't THAT boring, but it definitely isn't as interesting as what I was doing at the NIH
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Try talking to your PI about your expectations and his/her plans for you in the future. Usually they're receptive to that, and if not, then it's probably time to find a new lab anyway.
 
Halcyon32 said:
Is there anything specifically impressive/better about going to one of these summer programs over just doing research at your own university over the summer. Like would an adcom member see that someone went to a SURF program and be like "wow, impressive. he got accepted to so and so this summer". Or would it be equally beneficial to just starting research at my own uni during the summer?
Click to expand...

The advantage of those research programs is that they offer you exposure to different areas that your university doesn't have. On the other hand, it's hard to get anything substantive done in 10 weeks. Heck, even 6 months isn't enough. So you'll get much more done by staying in your own lab at your university. Also, let your LizzyM and other ECs and Pubs impress ADCOMs - getting into X or Y SURF program isn't going to mean much.
 
Halcyon32 said:
Is there anything specifically impressive/better about going to one of these summer programs over just doing research at your own university over the summer. Like would an adcom member see that someone went to a SURF program and be like "wow, impressive. he got accepted to so and so this summer". Or would it be equally beneficial to just starting research at my own uni during the summer?
Click to expand...

My take on the issue is slightly different given that I'm applying to Ph.D programs in biomedical research. You have to consider that you are working full-time in these programs whereas that is not the case when you're in a lab during the academic year. Personally, I really enjoyed my summer research experiences because the PI's typically gave you projects that were possible to complete in 10-weeks working full time. It gives you a sense of fulfilment to finish a project that was tailored for you because, even if small, your work is VERY relevant for the people in the lab. Also, in the end, being well-connected can make the difference between an acceptance and a rejection.

(Again, this is different for me since I'm going for a position in research and academia.)
 
Hey! I'm currently a junior, and I wanted kind of like a general consensus on just how important a high GPA is to get into these programs. I'm applying to a couple of amgen's (MIT & UTokyo), one REU, and a few other lesser known ones.

By the time I apply, I'm predicting my GPA to be at about 3.3 (I didn't do so hot in my freshman and sophomore year). However.....
I have research experience my freshman year conducting my own case study, and I'm currently working in a sleep lab as a research assistant and doing a lot more than just data input. My professors and the professor I'm working under really like me so I'm pretty confident about recommendation letters, and I've got pretty strong writing skills and a dense resume with other good experiences. The university I go to is a flagship school that's one of the top tiers in neuroscience research (what I'm majoring in) and the professors I've got recs from are relatively high profile. Oh, and I'm hispanic. Post grad I'm looking at Physician Assistant studies, M.D., or PhD, just depends on what field I fall in love with first 😛

Would any of that offset the low GPA or am I pretty much screwed?
 
Hi, I'm currently a sophomore and I wanted to get a sense of where I should apply/how competitive I am for these various programs.
A bit about me: I currently have a 3.9 GPA at a top-3 LAC, with a 4.0 science/math GPA. In terms of STEM classes, I've taken intermediate calculus, an intro astronomy class, two semesters of chemistry, as well as one semester of biology. I'm currently enrolled in organic chemistry and molecular biology, and expect to maintain my GPA this semester.
In terms of research experience, I have two high school summers of biological research under my belt; each culminated in a poster and powerpoint presentation at a national conference. I have not done any research yet at the undergraduate level(resources limited), but will begin to work under a biology professor this coming semester. In terms of my resume, I'm part of a club sport(captained b-team freshman year), and am one of the managing editors of the student newspaper, among a couple other more minor things.
Finally, I'm a white male from a middle class/educated background.

Would I be a competitive applicant for any of these programs, given my lack of undergraduate research(so far)? I've been looking at the AMGENs, the Leadership Alliance schools, and some other programs in the NY area.

Any suggestions/comments would be very much appreciated!
 
I am a sophomore with 2.5 years of research experience (2.5 in 1 lab and summer research in another lab) and two poster presentations.
GPA is around 3.7 and I am also currently a TA for a intro bio class.
I applied to about 5 SURP (Einstein, GSK, Rockefeller, ISMMS) programs last year as a freshmen but didn't get in anywhere.
What do you think of my odds this year applying to places such as AMGEN UCSF, Stanford, MIT and SURP at NYU, Einstein
 
SarcoplasmicReticulumCa said:
I am a sophomore with 2.5 years of research experience (2.5 in 1 lab and summer research in another lab) and two poster presentations.
GPA is around 3.7 and I am also currently a TA for a intro bio class.
I applied to about 5 SURP (Einstein, GSK, Rockefeller, ISMMS) programs last year as a freshmen but didn't get in anywhere.
What do you think of my odds this year applying to places such as AMGEN UCSF, Stanford, MIT and SURP at NYU, Einstein
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Why didn't you get in if you had 1.5 years of research experience?
 
Anyone know any summer research programs that accept students between senior year and the start of medical school?
 
baratheonfire said:
Why didn't you get in if you had 1.5 years of research experience?
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Freshmen don't typically get these research internships because they're not too far into their major. Also, it might have been an issue with rec letter strength or the personal statement.
 
My PI has just published a paper with a PI who's participating in the Columbia AMGEN SURP. Do you think I could leverage this connection?
 
baratheonfire said:
My PI has just published a paper with a PI who's participating in the Columbia AMGEN SURP. Do you think I could leverage this connection?
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If he brings it up in the rec letter, maybe. But, why would he bring it up if it doesn't say anything about your potential as a researcher?
 
baratheonfire said:
My PI has just published a paper with a PI who's participating in the Columbia AMGEN SURP. Do you think I could leverage this connection?
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I dont see why someone who is not you working with someone there will help you. Maybe if you were in involved with that paper it would make sense.
 
Shameless plug for Project Healthcare.

I'm surprised it's not more widely known on here. It is quite possibly the best summer clinical experience for anyone interested in medicine. You get to shadow many different departments of a hospital (AES, PES, social work, OR), help doctors do procedures (if they let you, and they'll almost always let you help in some way), plenty of patient interaction, you get to run a health fair for the patients, you participate in smaller clinical research projects run by the staff and you have to present the data to the entire ED staff, you get to visit the ME, you get an ambulance ride-along, and maybe other things I'm forgetting.

At the end of the summer you'll have over 200 hours you can add to your application.
 
Lost in Translation said:
Shameless plug for Project Healthcare.

I'm surprised it's not more widely known on here. It is quite possibly the best summer clinical experience for anyone interested in medicine. You get to shadow many different departments of a hospital (AES, PES, social work, OR), help doctors do procedures (if they let you, and they'll almost always let you help in some way), plenty of patient interaction, you get to run a health fair for the patients, you participate in smaller clinical research projects run by the staff and you have to present the data to the entire ED staff, you get to visit the ME, you get an ambulance ride-along, and maybe other things I'm forgetting.

At the end of the summer you'll have over 200 hours you can add to your application.
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But you can do that without a program...
 
baratheonfire said:
But you can do that without a program...
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I don't know of any OR that would let you walk in an out of rooms (without being disruptive, obviously) at your leisure for 4 hours. Does your local ME let you watch autopsies? Can you follow your local hospital's social worker around and help them as they talk with the homeless about getting rides to shelters?

Also, good luck getting all these different departments to let you do all these things simultaneously over the course of 3 months.
 
Lost in Translation said:
I don't know of any OR that would let you walk in an out of rooms (without being disruptive, obviously) at your leisure for 4 hours. Does your local ME let you watch autopsies? Can you follow your local hospital's social worker around and help them as they talk with the homeless about getting rides to shelters?

Also, good luck getting all these different departments to let you do all these things simultaneously over the course of 3 months.
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I was going to respond but I can't, your profile picture makes my blood boil and i need to close this tab as soon as possible
 
sciguy96 said:
Hi, I'm currently a sophomore and I wanted to get a sense of where I should apply/how competitive I am for these various programs.
A bit about me: I currently have a 3.9 GPA at a top-3 LAC, with a 4.0 science/math GPA. In terms of STEM classes, I've taken intermediate calculus, an intro astronomy class, two semesters of chemistry, as well as one semester of biology. I'm currently enrolled in organic chemistry and molecular biology, and expect to maintain my GPA this semester.
In terms of research experience, I have two high school summers of biological research under my belt; each culminated in a poster and powerpoint presentation at a national conference. I have not done any research yet at the undergraduate level(resources limited), but will begin to work under a biology professor this coming semester. In terms of my resume, I'm part of a club sport(captained b-team freshman year), and am one of the managing editors of the student newspaper, among a couple other more minor things.
Finally, I'm a white male from a middle class/educated background.

Would I be a competitive applicant for any of these programs, given my lack of undergraduate research(so far)? I've been looking at the AMGENs, the Leadership Alliance schools, and some other programs in the NY area.

Any suggestions/comments would be very much appreciated!
Click to expand...

Amgen is a very prestigious research program that'll probably require you to have experience prior to applying. Your credentials are great and you might be able to land an acceptance into one of the Leadership Alliances programs, which vary in prestige depending on the institution. Nevertheless, I think that most, if not all, of the research sites affiliated with the LA will be able to satisfy you professionally 🙂

The only part of you credentials that might "hurt" you is thay you're not a URM and your only research experience is from HS. However, you might be able to use your prior exposure to write a convincing personal statement.

(Extracurriculars don't matter for these internships, by the way)

By the way, now that I mention that, if anyone needs/wants someone to review their statement of purpose, I'll be more than glad to. I think that my experience with these programs has given me a good sense as to what they're looking for 🙂
 
Chromium Surfer said:
Does anyone have any experience with the public health summer programs? The programs Im applying to this year are

The Columbia Summer Public Health Scholars Program.

John Hopkins Summer Internship Program

University of Michigan Public Health Leaders Program

Morehouse Project IMHOTEP

Thanks everyone!
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I was rejected by Johns Hopkins SIP.
 
Sorry to hear that:/ Hopefully you get in somewhere great this year!!
 
Chromium Surfer said:
Sorry to hear that:/ Hopefully you get in somewhere great this year!!
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Lol that was last year and I went to Harvard Medical School instead. I'm currently applying to graduate school, so I'm still hoping that I get in somewhere great! haha
 
Can anyone give me advice on my chances for a program or maybe which ones I'd be best for?

3.85 GPA, 1 publication in a decent but not prestigious journal, 2 years of health disparities research doing all types of lab work (cell culture, westerns, qpcr), had an internship with state department of agriculture teaching kids about nutrition and local farming in the area my university is in. Also I'm a black female in the honors program at my state flagship. I'm interested in M.D. but I really enjoy public health research.

Any advice is appreciated as I really want to get into a program this year so I have something fun and effective to do this summer! I feel like I'm competitive but I don't want to be disappointed and have nothing to do this summer. Thanks in advance!
 
andreamx said:
Can anyone give me advice on my chances for a program or maybe which ones I'd be best for?

3.85 GPA, 1 publication in a decent but not prestigious journal, 2 years of health disparities research doing all types of lab work (cell culture, westerns, qpcr), had an internship with state department of agriculture teaching kids about nutrition and local farming in the area my university is in. Also I'm a black female in the honors program at my state flagship. I'm interested in M.D. but I really enjoy public health research.

Any advice is appreciated as I really want to get into a program this year so I have something fun and effective to do this summer! I feel like I'm competitive but I don't want to be disappointed and have nothing to do this summer. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

If you're looking to continue doing work in public health research I would check these programs out:

The Columbia Summer Public Health Scholars Program.

John Hopkins Summer Internship Program

University of Michigan Public Health Leaders Program

Morehouse Project IMHOTEP
 
Question: am I limiting my scope too much by only applying to pediatric or cancer-focused summer research programs? It's what I'm truly interested in, but should I just go broader and go to the one with the best name and try to do cancer research there?
Also money is a factor so I'm kind of screening out programs with no stipend at all:/
 
aristrutz523 said:
Question: am I limiting my scope too much by only applying to pediatric or cancer-focused summer research programs? It's what I'm truly interested in, but should I just go broader and go to the one with the best name and try to do cancer research there?
Also money is a factor so I'm kind of screening out programs with no stipend at all:/
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I feel like you should be more open to conducting research in another field that's not necessarily on the top of your list. I've always wanted to conduct cancer research; however, my internships were in immunology and neurobiology. Nevertheless, I learned a lot from both of them and enjoyed the research regardless.
 
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