University of Penn SUMR research program

[shmrshines]

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hi all. I'm applying for the U of Penn's minority focused research program called the SUMR program. i'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this program or heard anything about it. I'm just trying to get a better idea of what to expect If I'm selected.
Thanks!

 

[TaylorMDhopeful]

hi all. I'm applying for the U of Penn's minority focused research program called the SUMR program. i'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this program or heard anything about it. I'm just trying to get a better idea of what to expect If I'm selected.
Thanks!

I know 3 people who did the SUMR research program within the past 2 years and they all really enjoyed their time there. They were able to develop relationships with new mentors that the program offers you, traveled to conferences in San Diego and Seattle (all expenses paid for 2 relevant conferences in your field) if I remember correctly and if you are interested in the healthcare field you will be surrounded by motivated like minded individuals and excellent faculty. I hear the time commitment is only about 20 hours a week which gives you a lot of time to explore Philly if you are not from the area, work or enjoy Penn's campus if you are staying in the highrise apartments (which is a nice urban campus of about 12 city blocks by 4 or so wide). There is the usual meeting to discuss your projects amongst peers and faculty and you work independently and with your mentor to finish the project for a presentation at the end.

 

[redlight]

i wonder how i missed this one??
bah, oh well. maybe next summer.

 

[shmrshines]

I know 3 people who did the SUMR research program within the past 2 years and they all really enjoyed their time there. They were able to develop relationships with new mentors that the program offers you, traveled to conferences in San Diego and Seattle (all expenses paid for 2 relevant conferences in your field) if I remember correctly and if you are interested in the healthcare field you will be surrounded by motivated like minded individuals and excellent faculty. I hear the time commitment is only about 20 hours a week which gives you a lot of time to explore Philly if you are not from the area, work or enjoy Penn's campus if you are staying in the highrise apartments (which is a nice urban campus of about 12 city blocks by 4 or so wide). There is the usual meeting to discuss your projects amongst peers and faculty and you work independently and with your mentor to finish the project for a presentation at the end.

Thank you so much for your response! It was very helpful.

 

[Lauren87]

I didn't do the program, but I did spend a summer of Penn working for the national institute of drug abuse and I loved it! I love Philly and upenn's campus is close to the subway so it is very easy to explore the city. the only heads up I would give is philly is very dangerous and there actually have been multiple murders on penn's campus but I think the last was in the late 90s. since then they have stepped up security majorly, but students still did get robbed the summer I was there, which was 2 summers ago. you just have to be street smart and not go out by yourself after dark, I mean occasionally I'd cross the street to the grocery store but no long walks to yourslf lol.

if you do go to philly make sure you EXPLORE. I worked in olde city so I got a chance to see the city but I knew people who never took the subway. you just have to be adventerous and get off at different stops-olde city, penn's landing, city hall, 69th street and make the most of your time there. I loved philly and would go back if I could.

 

[TaylorMDhopeful]

I didn't do the program, but I did spend a summer of Penn working for the national institute of drug abuse and I loved it! I love Philly and upenn's campus is close to the subway so it is very easy to explore the city. the only heads up I would give is philly is very dangerous and there actually have been multiple murders on penn's campus but I think the last was in the late 90s. since then they have stepped up security majorly, but students still did get robbed the summer I was there, which was 2 summers ago. you just have to be street smart and not go out by yourself after dark, I mean occasionally I'd cross the street to the grocery store but no long walks to yourslf lol.

if you do go to philly make sure you EXPLORE. I worked in olde city so I got a chance to see the city but I knew people who never took the subway. you just have to be adventerous and get off at different stops-olde city, penn's landing, city hall, 69th street and make the most of your time there. I loved philly and would go back if I could.

Yea, you are right. Exploring Philly is definitely key if you want to enjoy yourself over the summer. Overall, Philly can be a dangerous place (as I have had a couple sketchy instances in my 4 years there) but not very much more than any other major city. Some people I knew during my time there never left campus because of a fear of being robbed or worse. The campus is much safer now bc of the guards patrolling at night and area police being around more often. There are many sights to see in Philly if you just take the time to explore. You can't live your life in fear of what will happen to you. Its best to just be smart and not walk down dark alleys or walk off campus alone at night.

 

[trinitee501]

I actually did the program in 2007 and I loved it . I actually might be back for the SUMR 2009 orientation. The program is a wonderful way to become interested in the field of health services research which is really broad and can encompass everything from investigation of health policy to examination of the efficacy of various health procedures. The program is pretty relaxed. I actually did it while holding a full time research position and applying to med school. don't recommend that to anyone, even though it still was the best summer of my life.

Despite that the other benefits are amazing: you attend the AHRQ conference and another one that is geared to students in the field. While a lot of it at the beginning will be over your head. The opportunity to learn and network is amazing. The center is an amazing placed filled with amazing people, and there are numerous activities planned to allow you to get to knw everyone in the department. Which is amazing in terms of getting letters of rec etc.

I personally can't imagine a summer program being as good as SUMR but they can try. The deadline has passed but definitely something worth considering for next year. Heck I wanted to do it again ... but I am a first year med student now🙁

 

[elaws1234]

anyone know how many slots they usually have?