This leads to an obvious question for budding young athletes: whether or not partaking in sports camps or other athletic activities during the summer is a good use of their time, and how this can impact their college admissions. The answer is: it depends. Since that’s fully unsatisfying, we’re going to spend this article exploring the nuance of summer sports programs, and whether they may be a good use of your time. Let’s play ball!

The Variety of Summer Sports Programs

Before we can begin looking at whether or not these programs are any good for you, we need to identify what the different kinds of summer sports programs are. We won’t go through every option, but we will give examples for different kinds of programs where applicable. 

Local Sports Leagues

These are some of the most common, and take on different forms in different towns across the country. Private clubs for golf, travel teams for baseball or softball, fencing gyms; these are organized sports with coaches and competitions much like you’d find at school, though often with more intensive schedules and programs during the summer. 

What these offer, the intensity of their programs, and how much or little each may benefit you will vary widely between them. Here are the steps we use to help students and parents evaluate the general utility of these programs: 

• What is the time commitment required, and what do you get out of it in return?
• Are their opportunities for competition, or is this just a chance to build skills/train?
• How many students who attend this program are recruited on average, and where are they recruited by?
• What connections, if any, does this program have to the college recruitment pipeline?

College Sport Camps

Colleges which have sports teams generally have summer camps for them. This ranges from schools like (which at one point dissolved its football team and built a library over the stadium) to (which actually does care about its athletics program). Any school with sports teams, from DI to DIII will have some form of these camps, though their mechanics and what sports they are offered for varies. 

These camps are a major recruiting resource for these schools, but students who are not being actively recruited can attend as well to show off for coaches and to try and get on their radar. These can be a good use of time if you are looking seriously into college recruiting. 

Private Sport Camps

Finally, there are private sport camps, which generally exist as a place for athletes to hone their skills, but which sometimes can offer recruiting or competition options. These often cost the most of all three options by far, and tend to make the largest claims about successes. While these camps can be beneficial in some circumstances, most of the time, we find their claims far outstrip their promised benefits. We advise using the same questions we posed for local sports leagues to evaluate these opportunities. 

Summer Sports and College Recruitment

Participating in sports over the summer can directly and indirectly increase your odds of recruitment, but it is not guaranteed to do so, nor are you guaranteed to be recruited by somewhere you want to attend college. That said, if you know there are already colleges interested in recruiting you, and you are interested in pursuing sports at the collegiate level, then we do recommend using summer opportunities to aid in your recruitment efforts. 

The first thing to do is to attend college camps at schools you are interested in. Academic camps at a university generally don’t impact your odds of acceptance at all, but athletic camps can. This is because college coaches often have pull (albeit limited in some cases) with the admissions office, and if they want to recruit you, you are much more likely to get in. 

If you are actively being courted or recruited by a college, they will invite you to a camp, but you can also sign up for camps at colleges which have not recruited you but which you are interested in. These camps are often quite short, UCLA’s are generally only two days long; University of Alabama’s for prospects is similarly two days, and Harvard’s all last one to two days. 

Some schools have longer programs, but these camps are not intended to give you a major workout or to hone your technique. They’re a place for you to be introduced to a school and coaches, and for them to meet and evaluate you in turn, to see if you might be a good fit for their program. 

Indirect Sports Recruiting Benefits

College programs can directly benefit recruiting efforts by letting you speak with and show off for college coaches, but other sports programs can benefit recruiting indirectly by letting you hone specific skills or compete in arenas watched by coaches. This is the case of local sports leagues or costlier sports camps, which fill much more of the summer.

These opportunities have much more of a tradeoff cost however, as they fill much more of your time, take more of your money, and are likely to interfere with other activities. If you are already being recruited by some schools, but are aiming for higher tier programs and know what you need to hone to take your skills to that level, then these may be a good use of time. For many students, however, there are far more beneficial ways to spend your summer hours.

Should You Take Part in Summer Sports?

Whether or not you are a recruited athlete, sports can be a component of what you spend your summer doing. For some school sports, this is required, with training camps in August or voluntary (mandatory) workouts held throughout the summer. For others, especially sports you take part in outside of school, workouts and competitions may not even see a break over the summer.

These demands can make participating in other summer programs difficult, especially those with extended durations, the multi-week research experiences or full-time internships that let you deeply explore an academic interest. You may be able to do both with some careful schedule juggling, but this is far from guaranteed. As with so many things in college admissions, you must decide where your priorities lie. 

Showing a strong devotion to sports can be part of your admissions profile even if you aren’t a recruited athlete. In these cases, however, it is weighed the same as any other extracurricular, and doesn’t give any particular admissions boost. Thus, the most strategically beneficial thing depends on where you are as an athlete and a scholar: 

• Students who are already getting recruiting interest from coaches will benefit from continuing to hone their skills, though can always benefit from academic summer programs as well.
• Students on the cusp of recruitment can benefit from improving their skills if they only need a small push to get them to the next level.
• Students who are unlikely to get recruited are going to receive more benefit from academic summer programs, or those related to their intended major. 

This is an article, and we cannot tell you in set text what your own odds of recruitment are. That said, students who are top recruits don’t need to ask generally; the coaches find them. 

We aren’t trying to say that sports summer programs are worthless, but that when deciding whether or not to attend, you must weigh the opportunity cost as well as any actual costs of these programs. Summers do offer students a wonderful amount of free time, but each day only has so many hours. 

Our final suggestion is that students interested in recruiting, but who aren’t sure, should take the most advantage of the shorter sports camps offered by universities, especially those they are interested in attending. This is their best option to connect with coaches, and to see what the level of competition is, what other students are interested and drawing interest. Students who are not yet officially being recruited, sophomores especially, can benefit from this. 

Final Thoughts

Sports have a long history at high schools and colleges, and are one of the most popular extracurriculars for students across the country. This same popularity breeds an intense level of competition; even with how many college athletes there are, very few high school students who dedicate themselves to sports continue their passions in college.

We hope that this article has shown how summer programs can help you in these endeavors, and how they may have a high opportunity cost as well. There is no single correct approach, and what the best choice for you is depends on your own circumstances and goals. If you are looking for advice on your particular situation, or want help navigating the admissions or recruiting landscape, then ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø can help. Our mentors are skilled at every aspect of college admissions, and we’ve helped plenty of budding athletes continue to compete in college; schedule a free consultation today to learn how we can help you. 

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A Brief Note on Internship Locations

Banking internships are generally in person, and take place at physical branches of these banks. Now, where these are located varies, but it is generally going to be easier for students living in cities to have access to at least one of these internships. This is not universally true; not every city has every bank or internship on offer, but cities as a whole offer more of these than more rural areas.

Because these internships are in-person and do not provide housing, you may find your ability to participate limited by geography. Many of these internships will only accept students who are local, or those who can demonstrate that they will have a place to stay during the summer and can positively commit to the entire period of the internship, taking responsibility for their presence and performance.

If you are located in an area without these internships, and do not have the ability to travel, then you may need to look into alternate ways to spend your summer. We have some great articles on that as well. Note that while these internships are great opportunities, they are not required to get a career in finance. They are a great addition, not a pre-requisite.

Fidelity Summer Internships for Students

Fidelity offers a selection of for students. While many of these are aimed primarily at students who are already in college, some are intended specifically for high school students. Notable among these is their program. This offers internship and shadowing opportunities specifically to female high school students.

These are summer internships, and last up to five weeks. Note that these are location dependent, and are hosted by Fidelity branches across the country; you are in charge of your own housing and transportation during these programs. Internships can last for up to five weeks, though some of these are shorter programs. The goal is to give students a sample of what a career at Fidelity is like, and to increase access to and interest in the field of finance. 

There are not currently high school internships widely available at Fidelity, but we do recommend students who are eligible take advantage of these offerings. While the high school programs are not as in-depth as what college students experience, they are still a great introduction to the field of finance.

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen, never actually called all that, and the no spaces is intentional) offers a summer internship program specifically for high school students, designed to give them hands-on experience with accountancy, and to inspire them to pursue accounting careers in the future. As one of the largest global accounting firms, they are well positioned to do this.

These internships are organized centrally, but are offered and administered by separate CLA branches, and you must apply to the specific branch you wish to intern at. Not every CLA branch offers these internships, but there are opportunities across the US. As with all of these internships, they do not provide housing; for this reason, students generally only apply to internships which are geographically close to them. 

The internship lasts for four weeks in the summer, and interns work a full shift, from 9 am to 4:30 pm. You must be at least 16 to apply, and most internships require you to be under 18; this is an ideal internship for the summer before your senior year. You must be able to commit to the full program, and you must be eligible to work in the US without requiring a visa.

KPMG High School Internship Programs

KPMG (Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler, which nobody uses (seriously, try saying that five times fast)) is one of the Big Four accounting firms. It’s technically a British multinational, but it has a major presence in the US. It is interesting as it has offered high school internships in the past, and may again, but it has currently discontinued them in the US.

In Canada, however, KPMG offers a pair of for high school students interested in finance and accountancy. The SPARK event is a short engagement, where students attend a brief lecture and workshop on careers in accounting, and get to assess what these offer, and whether this field is something that really interests them.

They have also collaborated with a number of partners in Canada to offer coursework and scholarships to students. Their primary internship through this is a six-week summer program specifically for black students in Canada with an interest in finance and accountancy. This provides both an internship experience, and a college scholarship to participating students.

1435 Capital Management Internships

Run by a smaller and more local (but no less interesting) firm, offers a summer internship to high school students interested in the fields of venture capital and finance. This is a hybrid internship based in Princeton, New Jersey; students are expected to be able to commit to both the virtual and in-person portions of the experience.

This internship is aimed at students currently in their junior or senior year of high school; you must be aged 16-18 in order to apply. Applications are processed on a rolling basis. Technically, this internship is open to US students regardless of origin, but due to its nature as a hybrid internship, is generally only suitable for students local to that area. If you live in New Jersey and have an interest in venture capital, then this is a good opportunity for you to consider. This is a paid, ten week opportunity, and you will be working full time for the duration of the internship; this is quite valuable for the length and intensity, which most internships lack.

This is a program in Chicago, and is only open to Chicago students. It is fully funded by the local business community in Chicago; students who apply are partnered with a mentor from that community, all of whom volunteer to work with the program. These are paid opportunities, and exist to give students in Chicago an entryway into the world of business, particularly (though not solely) finance. 

The application is online, and is open from February 1 to March 31. The program has strict eligibility requirements, more so than many of these internship programs. These are: 

• You must be a resident of the city of Chicago
• You must be a current sophomore or junior, and have a GPA of at least 3.0 unweighted
• You must have a family or household income of $80,000 annually or less

The application itself requires a high school transcript, a resume, an essay response, and two letters of recommendation. They are looking for students with the drive and capacity to excel if admitted into this program. You must be able to commit to the full duration of the program. 

During your internship, you will both work directly with your mentor, and attend learning experiences with other interns; workshop, seminars, and other events where you will hear from business leaders and professionals. The goal is to give students a full introduction to the business landscape in Chicago.

Boston Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve Bank in Boston runs in partnership with Boston’s Private Industry Council. This program is specifically for Boston-Area students, and begins with a summer work experience, followed by the option for a full-year internship program. Depending on student and program, these can last up to three years. 

This program is only available to students who attend public schools in Boston, and is specifically intended to increase the access of low-income students to careers in business and finance. You must be a current sophomore to apply for this program, and able to commit to the full duration of it. 

This is a paid internship program, intended to be an option for students from low income backgrounds who may otherwise need to work during the summer. Who you end up working with and what exactly you are doing depends on the corporate partner you are placed with, though all students have shared mentorship and group experiences as part of the program. This is a very good program for Boston students, and we recommend applying if you live in the area. 

Final Thoughts

Getting involved in finance and business is difficult for high school students, but difficult is not the same thing as impossible. All of these are competitive programs, and require a lot of work once you are admitted, but that’s a large part of what makes them so valuable. Colleges want students who are unafraid of hard work, and who are eager to actively pursue their goals; these programs are a great way for you to demonstrate these traits. 

If you’re having trouble finding summer programs that match your own interests, or want advice on applying to one of these rather competitive programs, then ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø can help. Our mentors are masters of helping students find and develop their passions, and in helping them get into the best programs for them. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help you.

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Many summer programs, unfortunately, cost a lot of money. Free ones do exist, but are rare and competitive. Some students can’t afford these, while others want spending money of their own, and the freedom that brings. This brings us to summer jobs, often a staple of teen life. But are these a good way to spend your time in this era of hypercompetitive college admissions? In this article, we’ll explore what admissions officers think of summer jobs, and what some options for you are. Let’s jump in!

What Admissions Officers Think of Summer Jobs

On the whole, admissions officers approve of summer jobs. This is not universally the case, but getting and keeping a job for the summer shows a degree of maturity, the ability to work with others, manage your time, and complete tasks as assigned. These are all things you have to do in high school of course, but jobs have a higher stress level and are seen as a step up in maturity; high schools generally can’t fire you. 

The reasons you get a job can impact perceptions as well; students who need to help support their family are often seen as valuable additions to a campus. Interestingly, getting a job is also one of the best ways for well-off students to demonstrate grit, and convince admissions officers that they don’t just live lives of privilege. 

You do have to tell admissions officers about this job of course, but we have found that many jobs make for fertile essay writing material. The lessons you learn interacting with the public, managing your income, or filing taxes for the first time are all beneficial, and showcase your maturity, how you had to grow as a person to handle what these new responsibilities threw at you. 

Jobs are not necessarily better than other options, and are not always the best option for your own summer. They are, however, generally regarded as a positive thing by admissions officers, and are a good way to spend your time if you aren’t taking part in a more formal summer program. As always, the only really bad way to spend your summer is doing nothing at all. 

Potential Summer Jobs for High School Students

There are myriad employment opportunities out there, and while we can’t go through all of them, we will go through some of the most common, and list pros and cons. Note that the jobs you can get will also depend a lot on your state’s child labor laws. 

In most cases, we recommend only working part-time, especially if you are working during the school year. You should also know your rights as an employee, and not let your bosses take advantage of you. Many will try if you are a teenager, scheduling you for longer hours or not paying what you are owed. Even if you are still a minor, you have rights, and employers need to honor them. 

Food Service (Including Fast Food)

Food service jobs are a quintessential experience for many teenagers, and for good reason. They offer a number of upsides, though they aren’t right for everyone. Working in fast food is very different from being a waiter at a sit-down restaurant, both in terms of responsibilities and atmosphere. 

Pros:

• Easy to find. Every town has restaurants, and a rush of summer business means many of them hire teenagers for a few months in the summer. 
• On the job training. Restaurants are used to hiring and training new people regularly, so this is an expected part of the experience. 

Cons:

• Pay rate. Waiters at restaurants have a lower minimum wage, with tips meant to make up the difference. They can, and usually do, but these jobs can be much more erratic in terms of income. 
• Customers. We recommend not working at any restaurants which serve alcohol, especially for young women. 
• Hours. Hours at restaurants are often irregular, and tend to be busiest during times of relaxation; afternoons, evenings, and weekends. They also tend to be busy during holidays, though this is generally less impactful during the summer.

Retail

Stores need employees, people to man the cash registers, help customers, and make sure there’s actually something on the shelves to sell. Not all shops are created equal, but this is a job that often has high turnover, and is willing to take on students for a limited-duration employment. 

Pros:

• More consistent hours. You won’t always get the shifts you want, and they can change week-to-week, but hours are more consistent than in food service.
• Easy to find. There are stores in every town, and many are hiring on a regular basis. This is more common in towns which see a summer tourism boom however. 

Cons: 

• Customers. This is going to be a con for a lot of jobs, but customers are often somewhat mistifying to interact with., 

Camp Counselor

Summer camps often hire former campers to return as counselors. Sometimes this is only available to college students, but many high school students get to take advantage of these opportunities as well. These can be excellent opportunities, and help you keep connecting with a community you have already built over previous years. 

Pros:

• Enjoyable. These are often some of the more enjoyable jobs available to high school students. It’s not the same fun as being a camper, but you do get to take part in a lot of the same activities.

Cons:

• Limited availability. These jobs primarily go to students who have already been campers at these camps (though others are hired as well). There are just fewer of these jobs, and that makes it harder to get.
• Limited duration. These jobs only last for as long as the camps do, less than the full duration of the summer.

Informal Work: Babysitting, Petsitting

These are some of the most common jobs high school students hold, during the school year or over the summer. These jobs are most commonly gained via word-of-mouth; beginning with family friends and then spreading as you build a reputation. These jobs are best if you are looking for something part-time, rather than a more full-time formal job. 

Pros:

• Flexibility. These jobs only require as many hours as you’re willing to put in, and are the easiest to work around other activities in your schedule.

Cons:

• Effort. These jobs often take more effort to find; you need to actively pursue each customer and opportunity, rather than simply working the same job each day. This is the flipside of the flexibility these jobs offer.

Your Parent’s Company

Working for your parents has been a thing for as long as parents have had tasks they needed kids to do. If your parents have their own company, then working there is often anywhere from natural to expected. This can be a valuable experience, but we recommend taking it seriously. Getting paid for your labor and not taking advantage of your relationship with the business owners. 

Pros:

• Easy job to get. If your parents own a company, it is generally pretty easy to get a summer job there. Now, they might not always want to pay you for it, but it can bring many of the other benefits of summer work.
• Chance for enhanced responsibilities. Your parents are well aware fo what you are capable of, and may give you opportunities or responsibilities you wouldn’t encounter in other fields.

Cons:

• Access. Not everyone’s parents own a business, or have enough pull at where they work to land you a job there too. This isn’t something all students will be able to take advantage of, and it’s pretty much down to luck whether or not you can. 
• Expectations. Your parents may have their own expectations for what you will be doing (and what you will be paid for it), especially if this is a family business. You should have a serious discussion with your parents ahead of time before embarking on one of these work experiences.

Jobs We Advise High Schoolers Not to Do

While jobs are generally weighed equally by colleges (more on that in the next section), there are some kinds of work we advise high school students not to do. These generally encompass jobs which are not safe for high school students, and which can cause disproportionate harm. These include: 

• Industrial jobs. These often require extensive safety training and checks, and any company hiring high school students is likely looking to cut both costs and corners, and is unlikely to provide a safe workplace.
• Construction. Construction is a high paying career, especially in specialty fields. These have their own training programs, and learning on the job as a high school student is not advised.
• Anywhere alcohol is served. Some states allow teenagers to work selling alcohol. We generally advise against working in these positions, especially for young women. 

These jobs are not inherently worse or unworthy, but create unreasonably high risks to expose students to. 

How to Tell Colleges ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø Your Work Experience

This is the real trick. Just as a tree falling in the forest doesn’t make any sound unless someone is there to hear it. Things you do in high school don’t actually happen unless you brag about them to colleges. We’re being a bit facetious here, but only just; colleges only know what you tell them, and can only evaluate you based on that. Thus, telling them about all of the cool and interesting things you did during your experience of employment is rather essential. 

There are two places that you should do this. The first is in your activities list. This is generally one of the first things admissions officers read when reviewing your application, and it gives them their first impression of who you are, the outline of the story of you. You can’t cover every detail of your job here, but you should definitely mention it. More intensive and long term jobs should end up higher on the list, to emphasize the time and effort you put into them. 

Here is an example of what an activity list entry about a job looks like:

• Cook, prepare, package food, train and oversee newer employees when needed, ensure coworkers are supplied, working well, not falling behind

This student was working an entry level job in a fast food restaurant; this is how they spent their summer. They got into UCLA and UT Austin; not directly because of this, but their work in this job did help them demonstrate the traits those schools look for in students. 

Summer Jobs and Essays

You do not need to devote one of your essays to a summer job, but they often provide fertile soil for essay topics. Explaining how a job taught you time management, or teamwork, or allowed you to take on responsibilities you’ve never held before are all things that demonstrate your maturity to colleges. 

Your essays are how colleges get to know you, and writing about a job can showcase beneficial elements. Here are the most common ways students write about a summer job, and how each can work. 

• Personal statement. If a job has been your main extracurricular, or was truly transformational for you, then it can make a good topic for a personal statement. This shouldn’t focus on the job itself, but on how having this job, this new level of responsibilities, helped you change and grow as a person.
• Leadership essay. Even if you don’t have a leadership role at your job, talking about the responsibilities you have been trusted with shows you have the traits associated with being a good leader and team member.

Note that if you worked a job specifically to support your family, that information should be included in the additional information section, even if you discuss the job itself elsewhere in your application. This is important context for colleges to understand you and the choices you made. 

Final Thoughts

Getting a summer job is rarely the best possible option to set you up for college success, but it is far from the worst way to spend your time. If you didn’t manage to get into the summer programs you were aiming for, or if you want a bit of extra cash, now or for college, then getting a job can be highly beneficial. We hope that this article helped you understand the range of possible employment opportunities for you, and which might be the most beneficial.

If you are looking for the perfect summer program for you, or aren’t certain how best to tell colleges about what you’ve achieved, then ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø can help. Our mentors excel at guiding students to opportunities that best suit their passions, and crafting their stories for college applications. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more, we’re always happy to hear from you.

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Understanding the Simons Summer Research Program

Frequently abbreviated to , this program is a seven week in-person summer research program hosted by , a public university in Stony Brook, New York (which is on Long Island, there, I saved you a Google). At the program students are matched with a faculty member at the university, and join a research team there. 

Over the course of the summer, students then complete a research project, while learning how research functions in an academic environment. These research projects are all in STEM fields; while the do vary from year to year, the available projects are in math, hard sciences, and medicine. Students spend at least four hours per weekday on their research, with many committing to full eight hours workdays. There are additionally group activities as part of the summer experience, including lectures, seminars, and excursions.

At the end of the summer, students present a research abstract and a poster presentation to their fellows in the program, showcasing what they have accomplished over the course of the summer. This mimics the standard course of professional research, and is part of the learning experience.

There is no tuition cost to participate in the program. Students may choose to dorm on-campus, or may live off-campus and commute. There is a housing fee for students living on-campus ( this was $2,450 in 2026), along with a fee for a meal plan. If you are living off-campus, then you are in charge of your own transportation each day. 

How to Apply to the Simons Summer Research Program

SSRP does not have an open application. Instead, students who are interested in participating must be by their high school. High schools may nominate a total of two students each year. Usually, a science teacher or school counselor handles the nominations for each school. They have a of school contacts; you can see if your school is on there. 

Note that this database only lists schools and individuals who have nominated students in the past, and your school may still nominate you if it is not on this list. In this case, speak with your science teacher and guidance counselor about being nominated. They recommend a single person at each high school handle nominations, to be sure that only two students from each school are nominated. 

The program has the following eligibility requirements. The do not, under any circumstances, allow exceptions to these requirements (they are quite adamant about that): 

• You must be a US citizen or permanent resident
• You must be in 11th grade at the time when you apply
• You must be at least 16 by the start date of the program

If you meet all of these requirements, and your school successfully nominates you, then you will be invited to apply. Schools have until January 30th to nominate students. If you are interested in this program, then we suggest speaking with your science teacher or guidance counselor about it in November.

Application Requirements

Once you have been successfully nominated, you can apply to Simons . Note that the online application must be completed in a single sitting; we advise entering the application, copying and completing the required essay questions, and then returning at a later date to fill the whole thing out at once. 

You must include a transcript in the form of a PDF when you apply. An unofficial transcript is acceptable. The short answer questions they ask are truly short answer; they advise all responses be limited to 300 words. Note that they explicitly forbid the use of AI tools in drafting or helping you write your answers to these questions, or any other part of the application. They are admitting you to the program, and want to hear about you in your own words. The online application is due by February 5th.

When you apply, you will be asked to choose your top three potential research mentors, front eh faculty members available. They make a list of faculty research mentors available each year. We recommend selecting mentors and areas of research that best match with your own interests. While you can reach out to faculty you are interested in working with, this is not required or indeed recommended by the program. These faculty are generally quite busy with the work of the academic year, and may not have time to respond to you. 

You are required to have two teachers (ideally math or science teachers) submit letters of recommendation on your behalf. If you have any previous research mentors, you are encouraged to have them submit a letter of recommendation for you as well. These are due by February 13. Your letter writers will receive an invitation to submit their letters once you have submitted your online application. 

The Selection Process

Simons receives far more applications than they have spots; around 1,864 in 2026, and that’s just the ones they read (they don’t consider applications submitted after the deadline at all). They do not list exactly how many students they admitted, but they have 34 research mentors this year. Assuming each mentor takes on two students, that’s an acceptance rate of 3.6%. 

Now, it’s unclear how many students each mentor takes on, but what they do say is that their acceptance rate is less than 5%, so we’re pretty sure we’re in the right ballpark with our estimation.

This means that this is a very competitive program, with an acceptance rate in line with some of the most competitive colleges. This doesn’t make acceptance impossible of course, but it shouldn’t be counted on, and you should apply to a range of summer programs if this is one you are interested in. It’s good to dream big, but having backup options makes those same dreams much safer.

What they look for from students is somewhat opaque, but we were able to glean some things. They look at your academic preparation as a baseline, especially your performance in your math and science classes. The program is a lot of work, and they want to make sure you have the academic foundation to be able to tackle and understand it. 

They like to see students have done prior research, but do not expect it. Having done other summer programs of this type, or pursuing research on your own, does help your application however. 

You don’t need to have a ton of experience in the field you are applying for; they understand that high schoolers don’t normally have access to many of these fields in the normal course of their classes. You should be able to clearly articulate your interest however, and to indicate why it is you want to spend a summer pursuing these studies. 

Should You Apply to the Simons Summer Research Program?

If you are interested in majoring in a STEM field, especially if you are interested in doing research at some point in the future, then this is a great program to apply to. Students who are not interested in STEM fields specifically will not benefit much from this program, and should seek alternate experiences. 

We highly recommend this program as well if you already have some experience with STEM research, and are looking for a more in-depth experience. Students interested in medical research specifically may not benefit as much, and may prefer to apply to programs focused on medicine more specifically, but there are some professors and mentors within Simons focusing on medical research.

We do suggest that all students who apply to Simons do not apply solely to this program. While many summer programs are competitive for admissions, this one is extremely so, and the vast majority of students who apply will not get in. It is good to apply to, but as part of a list of many different options for summer programs, not on its own. 

Finally, students who live in Long Island, especially those near to Stony Brook, should consider this program. It is open to students from across the country, and happily accepts them, but having an elite summer program in your own backyard that you can commute to is a valuable thing, and should be taken advantage of where possible. 

Final Thoughts

There are many potential ways to spend your summer, but doing hands-on original research under the direction of a faculty member is generally a great one, especially if research is something you are interested in pursuing further. The SImons program is extremely competitive, and certainly not the right choice for every student, but is an incredible opportunity, especially since there’s no tuition cost associated with it. We hope this article helped you understand this program, and whether it’s the right fit for you.

If you are interested in applying to this program, but want help with the application, or if you are looking for advice on finding the summer program that best matches your own interests and goals, then ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø can help. Our mentors have a long experience guiding students to top summer programs, experiences that help them explore their interests and prepare them for college. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more, we’re always happy to hear from you. 

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The US military is one of the largest funders of research and development on the planet. This research is all fairly directed of course, but they still do a lot of it. This means that they are also always looking to recruit students with a passion and talent for engineering and research, and to that end they have created a number of summer research opportunities. In this article, we’re going to review these opportunities, who they’re for, and whether or not they’re a good choice for you. Let’s jump right in!

The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (usually abbreviated as SEAP), is, as the name suggests, run by the US Navy. This program places students in Naval laboratories around the country, where they spend eight weeks working as interns on research projects. Students get to experience hands-on research and work with experts, while the Navy gets to give these students a taste of what working for them is like, with an eye towards recruiting them in the future. 

This program is open to high school students who have completed grade nine and who are currently enrolled. Graduating seniors are eligible to apply. You must be at least 16 or older by the start date of your internship to participate. This program is only open to US citizens. 300 students are selected each year, and are placed in 38 different labs around the country. 

This program is free, and indeed provides a stipend to students who participate. This is currently $4,000 for first-time students, or $4,500 for returning students. Note that housing is not provided by any of these labs, and you are responsible for arranging that. Many students apply for labs close to home for that reason. You can find a full list of the labs available through the SEAP program .

The application is available online from August 1 through November 1 of the prior year. All applications must be submitted online before this deadline. When you apply, you first choose which labs you want to work at, based on location and your research interests. You may apply to a maximum of three labs. 

The application requires a personal statement, transcripts, and references. These should come from teachers who can speak to your skill and interest in science and engineering. Your application is evaluated by the labs you apply to, and selections are made on the basis of your academic preparation, and how likely it is that you will succeed in the lab environment. 

Is SEAP a Good Choice for You?

If you are interested in engineering or marine science, then there is probably a lot to recommend this program for you. Unlike some other programs sponsored by the military, this one does not come with any service commitments, as is the case for all their high school programs. They do want to recruit students using these programs, but this is more subtle, giving you a taste of what they offer, and hoping you come back for more. If you are qualified and interested in engineering, this is a good choice, especially if you have an existing interest in potential Naval service. 

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has a program is primarily for undergraduate students, but does offer opportunities for advanced high school students to pursue research internships working on current projects in an active lab. While there are fewer spaces for high school students, they are still admitted into the program each year, and take part in the same research.

In order to be eligible for the program you must have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, must be a US citizen, must be enrolled in school and in good academic standing, and must be at least 16 years of age by the start date of the internship. The program is eight weeks in length, and students spend 40 hours each week actively working in a research lab. You must be available for the full length of the program.

The application for the program must be submitted . This requires a personal statement, a resume, an unofficial transcript, and references who will submit letters of recommendation on your behalf. They suggest these be teachers who can speak to your interest and experience in science and engineering. 

This program is free to participants, and provides a weekly stipend to high school students of $492.40 per week. Note that housing is not provided by the program, and you are also required to figure out your own transit to and from the research lab each day. You may be required to get a security clearance; they make sure to say that you cannot get rides onto military bases from people without a security clearance. 

You can find a list of potential research topics . You must select which you want to participate in when you apply. Your application is evaluated based on your academic accomplishment, fit for that particular research area, and prior experience with research. 

Is AFRL a Good Choice for You?

If you are interested in aerospace engineering, then this is one of the best ways to delve deep into it as a high school student outside of Nasa’s programs. They do have limited spaces for high school students compared to undergraduates, but as competitive as this program is, it is well worth it for interested students. If you are qualified, and interested in aerospace engineering, then we recommend applying to this program. 

The US Army offers a number of different internship programs for high school students, all under a single umbrella. These programs last eight to ten weeks in the summer, and provide a stipend. As with all programs run by the US military, these are only open to US citizens. 

Eligibility requirements vary by lab site, though all have the citizenship and age requirement of 16. All of these programs do provide a stipend, and none of them have application fees; they want to make it as easy as possible for students to apply. Some of these programs are specifically designed to encourage underrepresented groups to apply, and therefore encourage applications from these groups. 

Applications for this program are accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis. You must apply online; you select which lab and program you are applying to when you apply. Applications require the online form, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and an essay response. You are evaluated based on your prior experience, academic record, and fit for the lab you are applying to.

Housing is not provided at any of these programs, nor is transportation. Students are required to arrange this for themselves for the length of the program. These programs mostly focus on various engineering fields, from material to structural to mechanical. What each lab is studying is diverse, and you apply to the ones which best suit your interests. 

Are Army Research Internships Right for You?

As with all military research internships, these are designed to get you interested in pursuing further work with them, as a recruiting tool aimed at students who might not be swayed by other measures. The army needs to do a lot of research and development, and need to find a new generation of workers regularly to enter these labs.

If you are interested in engineering and live near one of these labs, then this is a good opportunity for you. Arranging housing otherwise may be difficult, but the stipend these provide can offset the costs, and unlike the ROTC, there’s no requirement to enlist afterwards (though they do want you to).

Final Thoughts

The programs offered by the US military are certainly not right for every student, both by the nature of their eligibility requirements, and because not every student is ok with working on military projects. That said, they do offer an excellent way to take part in engineering based research, and to get paid for doing so. While the lack of housing can be a hurdle, this is similar to a large number of other full-time research programs offered by non-university labs. They have no way to house students, so you are left to figure this out on your own.

We hope that this article has given you good insight into the various internship programs offered by the US military, and whether or not they are a good option for you. There are a lot of ways you can spend your summer, but taking part in a serious research project will always look good when it comes time to apply to colleges. If you are looking for advice on what kind of summer program will best serve your needs, or help applying to one of these excellent programs, then schedule a free consultation with us today. We have a long history helping students find the programs that best let them explore their passions, and are always happy to hear from you.

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What is the High School Emerging Researcher Experience?

Houston Methodist has long run a research summer program for undergraduate students, which serves to introduce them to medical research, and the realities of the discipline. Recently, they have added on to this for particularly advanced high school students, to give them access to the same opportunities. 

High school students in this program will work under research mentors, who are part of the staff and faculty at the hospital. They will be on teams with the undergraduate members and actively contribute to research projects. The scope and subject of these projects is chosen by the research mentors. In addition to research itself, interns will take part in seminars, lecture series, discussions, and social events over the course of the program.

The program lasts for ten weeks, scheduled for June-July this upcoming summer. At the end of the program, interns have a chance to present their research and findings to each other at a symposium, both to have a chance to learn from each other, and to gain experience in presenting research findings. 

Students must commit to the full duration, and for a full workday five days a week (with July 4 off). The internship is in person at the hospital in Houston; students are responsible for arranging their own transportation. There is no fee to participate in this program. Undergraduate students are awarded a stipend, but this is not available to high school students who are participating. 

Applying to the High School Emerging Researcher Experience

This program is somewhat competitive for admissions, because they want to be sure that all students admitted are fully capable academically, and will be able to contribute to and benefit from the program’s offerings. Applications for the program open in early December, and are due by the end of January. Applications may be completed entirely online. 

In order to apply, you must be a current high school junior or senior, and 16 years of age or older. You do not need to live near the program, or even in the state of Texas, but no housing or transportation is provided. For this reason, we advise applying only if you live near enough to the program to get there for the entire duration. You must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5.

The application itself may be found . Note that there is a single application for all positions and internships, and you must indicate you are specifically applying for the high school one. Each program requires different application essays. You must upload both a resume and a transcript. We advise getting an official transcript from your high school to upload. 

The program asks that you answer the following essay prompts: 

1. Explain why you would be a great candidate for the summer undergraduate research internship program and how it would benefit your career goals. (250 words)
2. Please describe any previous research or laboratory experience you may have. (250 words)
3. (Optional) Please explain any challenges you have experienced in your academic career and how you overcame them. (250 words)

These essays are of key importance. Your grades and resume are how you demonstrate your preparation and intellectual fitness for the program as a whole, but the essays are what will differentiate you from all of the other applicants. We’ll give some brief notes on how to answer each, and what they’re looking for when they ask these questions.

The first essay addresses the undergraduate research internship program because the high school program is technically a subordinate part of that. When answering this question, you should focus on your interests in science, research, and medicine. The first half of the essay should focus on the first part; why you are a great candidate, based on any past experiences you have in the field. 

You do not need to have done medical research before to be a great candidate (though you should certainly share if you have done so). Instead, you can discuss other opportunities you have taken part in related to science or medicine. Then, show how this program is the logical next step for you, and neatly complements your interests in the field. 

The second prompt is less of an essay, and more of a factual recounting. If you have worked in labs in any other summer programs prior to this one, detail that. If you have learned the basics of lab safety and techniques in high school, detail that. Do not overstate or downplay your experience. 

The final essay is optional, but should add context to your transcript that they might not otherwise have. If your school doesn’t offer AP courses for example, or they do not have the most advanced math work available, or if personal events interfered with your work earlier in high school. You don’t need to explain away every bad grade, but to give them the needed context (if any) to make sense of your transcript. 

Finally, the application asks for two letters of recommendation. There are no requirements on who these are from. We recommend both come from teachers at your high school, or one from a teacher and one from a research mentor if you have undertaken a previous research project. These letters must be submitted by the 31 of January. You should ask your recommenders prior to requesting letters from them, that’s just polite. 

Is This Program Right for You?

This program is a wonderful opportunity, but somewhat narrow in who it is tailored for. An ideal student is interested in medicine and research, possibly with an eye towards medical school in the future. They live in Houston, and are willing to devote a significant amount of time in their summer to doing something very interesting but quite difficult. 

This is, of course, not going to be the right choice for everyone, or even necessarily a good idea for everyone to partake in. Only if you meet most of the above criteria should you seriously consider applying for this program; otherwise it may be a less than optimal use of your time. 

If that description does sound like you, however, then we highly recommend applying for the High School Emerging Researcher Experience. This program offers things few others do in terms of access to hands-on research in a laboratory, and for free. If you are interested in medical school or medical research, and you qualify for this program, you should definitely consider applying.

Final Thoughts

It can be hard to find summer programs that exactly match your needs and desires, or which complement how you want to spend your time while also preparing you to apply to a top-notch college. We hope that this article has shown you one such excellent program, and given you a sense of what kind of opportunities are out there for you to fill your summers with.

If you are looking for help finding opportunities that are perfectly suited to your needs and interests, then ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø can help. Our mentors help students find the right opportunities to meet their needs, from research opportunities like this or wherever else their passions lead them. If you’re looking for help planning out your summer, or want advice on applying to one of these competitive programs, then we can help. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more, we’re always happy to hear from you.

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Understanding the Welch Summer Scholars Program

Frequently abbreviated as WSSP, this is an in-person research opportunity for high school students, where they join an existing research laboratory at one of the participating universities, working directly under a faculty member. This takes place over the course of five weeks, during which time students live on-campus at the university they are working at, and eat in the dining halls.

This program is only open to students from Texas, and is hosted by six different universities in the state. Participating institutions are: 

• UT Austin
• UT Arlington
• UT Dallas
• University of Houston
• Texas A&M
• Texas Tech

Note that you cannot choose which of the sites you attend if you are admitted; this choice is made for you when you are offered a place in the program. Students do comparable research and have comparable experiences at each, though of course the dorms and campuses differ at each university. 

Welch is specifically interested in chemistry research, with all students taking part in research in the hard sciences, though many different subfields within chemistry are represented. There aren’t options for other fields, though students interested in pursuing scientific research generally frequently benefit from attending the Welch program. 

Notably, the Welch program is completely free of charge for participating students. This includes tuition, housing, dining, and the activities students partake in during the program (though bringing spending money is recommended). In-town transportation costs during the program are also covered, though students are responsible for their transportation to and from the program. 

Applying to the Welch Summer Scholars Program

Applications for this program are due at the beginning of April each year. They do not practice rolling admissions; all applications are reviewed at the same time after the deadline passes. We do still advise submitting your applications early, just to ensure technical malfunctions don’t cause problems at the last minute. As with most of these programs, late applications are not accepted. 

The application must be submitted , and all pieces of the application must be included. The application requires the following elements: 

• The online form
• An essay response (more on that below)
• Two letters of recommendation, from teachers, counselors, or other mentors. They do note that these should not come from family members. 
• PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores are required; this is due to the funding grants Welch received
• Transcripts. These should be emailed by your school’s registrar to the program

For letters of recommendation, note that your recommenders will only be invited to submit letters after you complete your application. This is another reason why submitting your application early is a good idea; recommenders are allowed to upload letters after the deadline, but it will be harder for the program to judge your application if they are still waiting on components of it. 

Answering The Welch Program Essay

The basic requirements for admission to the Welch program are academic. They do not have strict GPA or test score cutoffs, but they want to be confident you will be able to handle the work they assign, and understand the material you will be learning. We do recommend students only apply if they have a high GPA and solid test scores. 

Once this bar is cleared, however, it is your essay that is used to decide whether you are the best qualified candidate for the program. This is much the same as it is in college admissions (indeed, summer program applications often parallel college admissions in a lot of ways). Writing a good essay is therefore the best way to maximize your chances of acceptance into the Welch program.

To that end, here is the prompt that the Welch program asks all applicants to answer: 

• The essay should contain a minimum of 250 words and the document should be double-spaced and uploaded as a .pdf attachment.  In your essay, please address one of the following items:
  • Discuss your present academic focus.  What interests you most about chemistry?
  • Describe one or two or your significant accomplishments or life experiences, noting your age at the time, and what each meant to your self-development.
  • Discuss an individual who has influenced you.  What are the attributes of this person that you most admire?  You may draw from fiction, biography, or your own experience.

You will quickly notice that this is in fact not a single question, but three different questions wearing a trenchcoat. Luckily, you only need to answer one of them for your application, and you are allowed to choose which one. You should, of course, choose the one which you are best suited to answer, and which best allows you to show off your commitment to and suitability for this program. 

Which that is is going to depend a lot on you and your experiences. To help you determine that, we’re going to go through each prompt individually, to discuss what they’re looking for in a response. 

Discuss your present academic focus.  What interests you most about chemistry?

The Welch program is specifically designed to help students pursue research in chemistry, so it’s only natural for one of the options to reflect that. This essay is best to answer if you have significant prior experiences in chemistry, and you are interested in pursuing it in the future, especially as a college major. 

Note that you do not need to have a desire to major in chemistry to participate in or benefit from the Welch program (though you should at least enjoy chemistry and be interested in the sciences). Many students who intend to become premeds or engineering majors partake in and benefit from this program.

When answering this essay, you should focus on what you’ve done in chemistry, rather than future aspirations. If your only experience is a class at your high school, this may not be the best essay to answer. You want to show how you have explored the subject on your own initiative, and what you have learned and gained by doing so. Chemistry Olympiad, clubs at your school, other summer programs, independent research; all are viable things to discuss in this essay.

Describe one or two or your significant accomplishments or life experiences, noting your age at the time, and what each meant to your self-development.

This is a far more open essay, and one many students choose to answer. There is no one right way to answer this essay, no single achievement that you have to write about. Whatever you choose though, it should showcase your values and explain how you are a good fit for this program. 

Research is hard work, and requires commitment, focus, and the ability to work in a team. You should pick an accomplishment or experience that showcases your abilities here, either one where you succeeded because of it, or one where you learned how to better these skills within yourself. 

While these can come from any point in your life, more recent experiences are generally better. You are maturing and developing quickly during high school, and so an example from last year is generally taken as a better sign of your character and readiness for the program than one from when you were in middle school. 

Regardless of the story you tell, you should specifically highlight how it helped you grow as a person, and develop the skills you needed. These can be hard or soft skills, but essays like these usually work best with interpersonal ones. Things like leadership, teamwork, accountability, responsibility, and the like. Which specific skill and value matters less than how you demonstrate it. 

Discuss an individual who has influenced you.  What are the attributes of this person that you most admire?  You may draw from fiction, biography, or your own experience.

This question is difficult to answer, not in picking someone who influenced you, but in ensuring that your response is about you, and not the person you are discussing. This is a common problem for essays of this type, and an understandable one. The temptation is to spend the whole essay discussing the strengths of the subject, highlighting how awesome they are. The point of this essay (and of all of these essays) is to show how well suited you are for this program, not whoever else you’re discussing. 

You should begin by introducing this person and why you admire them, and then explain the impact this has had on your own life. Has a teacher inspired you to go into academia? Has the biography of a famous explorer enthralled you in some way? You want to tie their values to your own, and showcase how these make you a good fit for the program.

Who you talk about matters less than why they matter to you. There are wrong answers of course, but there aren’t any correct ones. You should be able to clearly articulate the values you learned from this person, and how that has impacted and bettered your own life and abilities. 

Final Thoughts

Welch Summer Scholars is an excellent program. While it isn’t right for all students (and isn’t available to students outside of Texas at all), it is an amazing opportunity for students within Texas who want to explore academic scientific research. If you fall into this somewhat broad category, then we recommend at least considering this program. It is quite competitive for admissions; Texas is a large state, but not quite as competitive as some smaller programs, having the advantage of multiple colleges being involved. 

If you are looking for help applying to this program, or finding a summer program which is more closely tailored to your exact interests, then ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø can help. Our team of mentors is skilled at helping students find and apply to the programs that best match their talents and interests, and which best support their eventual collegiate motivations. If you are looking for assistance with any of this, schedule a today to learn how we can make your life easier. We’re always happy to hear from you.

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In this article, however, we’re going to talk about how you can spend your summers, specifically by giving some options for summer programs designed for pre-med students to gain research experience at various medical labs. We won’t be able to list every program, nor are these the only ways to spend your summers, but we hope to give you a sense of the options that are out there, and a place to begin your own investigations. Let’s get started!

Summer Programs At Your University

The programs we are listing in this article are generally open to students across the country, regardless of what school you’re with. Your own university is likely to have its own programs, or you may continue research work begun with a professor or in a lab which you began during the school year. 

If you can parlay a part-time school year position into a full-time one during the summer, this is quite valuable. This might not always be possible; funding for these programs generally comes from research grants, and availability will depend highly on the lab you are working in and the work they are doing. Nonetheless, this should always be a starting point for your investigations. 

First, because you already know the lab and the people there, and are trained in necessary techniques. While it is good to gain experience in multiple disciplines at times, this does allow you to skip training and onboarding, and jump straight into doing work. 

Additionally, medical schools like to see devotion over time. They understand that this is not always possible of course, especially with funding as precarious as it is now, but dedicating yourself to a single lab over an extended duration shows the kind of commitment they like to see in students. 

Summer Research Opportunities for Pre-Med Students

We aren’t going to be listing these in any particular order. These opportunities all have their own strengths, and some may better fit your own interests, abilities, and ambitions. This is not a comprehensive list, but should give you a sense of what kinds of opportunities you can find.

These internships are run by various NIH offices around the country. You must be enrolled full time to apply, but college students and recent grads alike are eligible. The program provides a stipend, and free parking is available at all labs. Applications open in December and are due in February. 

Applications must be submitted . You will need a CV or Resume, a personal statement, and two references who can submit letters of recommendation. Note that applications are not processed centrally, instead the PI on each project reviews applications, and then chooses the interns they wish to work with for that summer. The exact start and end dates and length of the program varies based on the lab you are working in. You are expected to take the initiative when reading out to PIs; they provide a guide to doing this .

(SURF)

Around 180 students each year take part in this ten week program. You may apply to one of Mayo Clinic’s campuses, admissions are handled by each campus. You must have completed at least your sophomore year of college before you enroll in the program. You must also be considering a career as an MD-PhD, rather than simply intending to pursue a career as a practicing physician. They advise students interested in an MD alone to check out their .

The program runs from the end of May through the end of July. Applications open in November, and are due at the start of February. The application must be submitted . This requires a personal statement/cover letter, unofficial transcripts, and two references willing to write a letter of recommendation for you. If you are accepted, you will be matched with a PI in the research area of interest you indicated. A stipend is provided; there is some connected to the program for rent.

Run by the Cleveland Clinic, this is a ten week research internship open to current undergraduate students, though they have a for high schoolers. Applications open in December, and are due at the end of January; applications must be submitted online. 

The number of spaces available varies, and is dependent on the individual needs of each lab. In addition to the set summer internships, students may reach out to PIs directly to set up individual research internship placements. This is recommended for students who are not available during the summer internship period, or those who want to join a particular lab. This is also available during the school year, though that is only an option for students attending university within commuting distance of Cleveland Clinic. 

To apply for the independent internships, you must reach out to the PI you are interested in working with detailing why you are interested in working in their lab, an introduction of who you are, and your availability. You should include an updated resume and a list of academic contacts who can serve as references for you. 

A research hospital in Arizona, Barrow is the largest neurological disease research center in the world. Their summer internship is a paid ten week research program open to all undergraduate students, both domestic and international. Students spend their time working full time under a research mentor at Barrow, contributing to an ongoing research project. 

You must apply to this program ; the application opens in December, and is due in early February. You must choose which area you want to work in when you apply, there are numerous research areas of expertise, plus programs like publication and philanthropy. Housing is not provided. 

Run by UT Health, the BRAINS (Brain, Rejuvenation, Aging, Inflammation, Neurodegeneration, and Stroke) research group investigates a number of related diseases and medical issues. The summer internship is a paid ten-week program which pairs an undergraduate student with a researcher, allowing the student to assist in an ongoing research project. 

The program is designed to introduce students to the basics of neurology and neurological research. There are multiple projects ongoing at any given time. Applications open in December and are due in January; applications must be submitted online. Decisions come out in February, if you are admitted to the program you have a week to respond. 

The application is a form you must download, complete, and submit by email. In addition to demographic information and three short essays, you must also submit a CV and an unofficial transcript. You must have two recommenders send letters to the program by the application deadline. This is a paid program, though rate of pay depends on your prior research experience. 

(NURO)

Run by the University of Michigan’s College of Medicine, NURO is specifically aimed at students who attend colleges in Southeast Michigan. This is both a ten-week summer research program, and a year round part time research program; students begin in the summer, then continue working throughout the year. This is why the program is limited geographically, so that the only students who attend are the ones who can commit to the full year of in-person research. 

Students in the program join an existing neuroscience research project, working under a senior researcher. There is a stipend provided for the summer session, and work during the school year is paid hourly. 

You must have completed one year of undergraduate study already, be majoring in a related STEM field, and be a US citizen to apply. They prefer students with an interest in pursuing a PhD. Undergraduates at University of Michigan Ann Arbor are not eligible to participate in this program. Applications must be submitted online; applications open in December, and are due in February. Preference is given to underrepresented students, and those lacking other access to research programs. 

There are several research programs under this umbrella, but the ones that concern us here are a pair of neuroscience research programs. (Dynamic Experiences in Neuroscience to Diversify Research Internship Training Exposures for Students) and (Developing Access to Research in Neuroscience). Both of these are neuroscience research internships open to undergraduate students who do not attend UChicago. 

These are eight week programs, which pair students with research faculty to work on existing research projects. Both programs provide a stipend to participants. You must have completed at least one year of undergrad at the time you begin the program. Both programs are designed to help prepare students for future graduate studies. 

Applications to both programs must be submitted , they share a common application. This application requires a CV, a statement of your interests in this program and in research more generally, and an unofficial transcript. They ask that you list the names of three faculty members you wish to work with from their Department of Neurology. 

These are a collection of programs run by the Department of Biology and Biomedical Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. Some of these programs are open to undergraduates from across the country, while others are limited to just undergrads at WashU.

These are ten-week paid programs, where students join in research projects and work under faculty. You may apply for all of these programs online, though each has a separate application. Applications are due in early February. 

Run by a private non-profit research laboratory, this summer program admits approximately 20 students each summer. The program lasts for ten weeks, students join in the work of an ongoing research project, and also participate in the community at the lab, learning what life is like for a biomedical research scientist. The program also offers career development opportunities, aimed at helping students grow as professional researchers.

A stipend is provided. Unlike many other programs, the program also provides housing, with students residing on the lab’s campus and eating in the dining hall there. The application for the program must be submitted online, through their website. International students are eligible to apply if they are enrolled full-time at a US university. 

Current sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply to the program. Prior research experience is preferred, but is not required. The program emphasizes the biological sciences, but students majoring in other STEM fields may also apply. The application opens in December, and is due in January. The application requires two letters of recommendation, a personal statement on your research interests, and unofficial transcripts. 

One of the largest private investors into biomedical research, HHMI also runs the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience to train the next generation of scientists. This is a paid, nine-week program, hosted at labs associated with HHMI across the US, both within partnered universities, and at their main campus. 

Students work full-time on ongoing projects being undertaken by HHMI staff. Students have a chance to present their research at the end of the summer. The program is open to rising juniors and seniors only. You must be a US citizen or permanent resident. You are in charge of your own transit and housing during the summer program, though the stipend is intended to help you meet these costs.

The application for this program is due in December, and must be completed online. Students are informed of admissions results in the spring. The application must be submitted online. 

This program is not aimed solely at biological research (though it supports it), but is instead intended for students of multiple academic disciplines to participate in high level research, and to prepare those students for graduate school. Students both work on a research project under the guidance of an MIT faculty member, and receive advising and counseling on applying to graduate school in the future. 

Many departments at MIT participate, everything from philosophy to biological engineering. They do have a for those students interested in the biological sciences however, due to the popularity of that field. The program offers housing and a weekly stipend to participants. 

Current sophomores and juniors majoring in a STEM field are encouraged to apply. You must have a GPA of at least 3.5 to be eligible. MIT undergraduates may not participate in this program. You must have prior research experience to apply. The application must be submitted .

Final Thoughts

There are many ways to spend your summers during college, and no matter what school you attend, they will have their own summer options, both set programs, and ones you can arrange through labs you encounter. These programs, however, show the range of other possibilities, ones which can give you novel experiences and connections, which are especially valuable for students considering pursuing research at a higher level.

Being a pre-med is both challenging and stressful, and some of that is intentional, to make sure students unable to handle the stress of being a doctor never need face it. If, however, you would like help with your own career as a premed, then schedule a free consultation with us today. Our mentors are experienced at keeping you on track, and helping you connect with the opportunities that best suit your wants and needs.

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What is JAX SSP?

Jackson Laboratory, often abbreviated simply as JAX, is an independent non-profit biomedical research laboratory. Such things are rare; most are corporate run or attached to universities, but JAX has proved quite successful in its research over the years (founded in 1929), and has made numerous contributions to the fields of biology and medicine. 

Their Summer Student Program is an outgrowth of their core mission, a way to give bright and talented students a taste of the research process, and give them proper hands-on experience working in a research laboratory. Students are paired with a research mentor at the lab, and join an ongoing project, while also having a chance to pursue independent investigations related to the overall goals of that project.

At the end of the summer, students are given a chance to present this research, both to their peers and researchers at the program, and to invited family members, in a mini-conference. The goal is to teach students what work as a professional scientist looks like, and to give a sense of the careers that are available in the sciences more broadly. 

JAX pirates numerous laboratories around the world, and this specific program is hosted by two separate campuses, with students attending one or the other: Bar Harbor, Maine, and Farmington, Connecticut. Room and board are provided by the program, and the entire thing is free of charge to students. Indeed, students who participate receive a $7,000 stipend. The program lasts for ten weeks each summer, and you must commit to all ten. 

How to Join JAX SSP

The program is for both high school seniors and current undergraduate students. The Bar Harbor campus accepts both, while the Farmington campus only admits current undergraduate students. High school students must meet the following criteria: 

• Be 18 years of age
• Have graduated high school prior to the start date of the program
• Be a US citizen or permanent resident

Students may apply to the program from states across the US without limit, and the program will subsidize your travel expenses to get there for the summer. They are looking to admit students who embody the following traits: 

• A deep desire to conduct an independent research project in the field of genetics and genomics
• Significant academic achievement, and a solid grounding in the sciences
• Demonstrated curiosity and passion for the sciences
• Maturity, resilience, responsibility, and the ability to work well both independently and as part of a larger team

All applications for the program must be submitted . Applications are due on January 26. The online application requires the following: 

• Demographic and academic information; who you are, the school you attend, etc
• Two letters of recommendation. These should come from people who know you well, and who can speak to the quality of your academic work.
• An informal or unofficial transcript
• A list of all science, technology, engineering, and computer science courses you have taken over the past three years
• Your current CV or resume
• A ranked list of your top three research interests or labs. They advise thoroughly reviewing their before composing this list
• A written description of your research itnerests and your top three choices form the above point
• Answers to the following short answer questions. Responses are limited to 3,000 characters, including spaces:
  • What questions in the field of biomedical science are you curious about and what do you know about JAX that makes it a good place to start answering those questions?
  • Describe your role in a recent research project you have done in your coursework, as part of a science fair, in a research position or a part of your work with a community organization. The project you describe need NOT be lab-based – you can describe a project in which you synthesized what others have said in answer to a question (as in a research paper/literature review), a survey you designed, a citizen science project, and/or an investigation to learn about school or community needs around an issue (playground, waste, climate action plan, etc.).
  • Discuss the personal qualities you bring to a team or project environment. Provide a specific example of a contribution you made to a collaborative project.  If applicable, please describe a collaboration with someone whose customs, habits, and/or traditions are different from your own. What did you learn?
  • Please tell us more about yourself by giving us information about what you do when you are not in classes or studying?  Are you a reader, a baker, a dancer a musician or something else? Do you play a sport? Do you have a job? Describe what you enjoy about this activity and what glimpse into who you are this activity shows. 

Answering These Questions

As with most summer programs of this kind, your answers to these short answer questions are the most important part of your application. You need high grades to be qualified of course, as a demonstration that you have a solid academic grounding in order to tackle the material you are faced with, but it is through these essays they will determine your passion and drive for the subjects at hand. 

When answering these questions, you should be both very specific, and try to demonstrate your passion for the sciences. Your answer to the second question, on a research project, need not be related to genomics research. Indeed, they welcome students who have never done any genetics or genomics research before. The point is to showcase your experience with research as a process, and to show off your enthusiasm for it.

The first question is about demonstrating your interest in the fields of genetics and genomics as a whole. This is especially important for students who are not majoring in biology. Students from all scientific disciplines are welcome to apply, but you should use this essay to explain how this program, and the research opportunities it affords, will support your own scientific goals. 

The third question seeks to understand how you operate in a collaborative environment. You will have the chance to pursue independent research, but lab work is done as part of a team, and they are looking for clear indications of your maturity and ability to function as part of a team while working towards a larger goal. They look for a previous time you have done this, as past experience is the best possible indicator for how you will handle similar issues in the future.

The final question is a chance for you to introduce yourself, and to show off your passions. What these passions are matters less, and they do not have to be related to the field in question. There are other questions for that, this one seeks instead to understand what drives you, and to see how you will fit into the environment of the lab. Answer this question honestly and earnestly; what they are looking for is genuine passion and excitement for what you do, and you should let that shine through your writing. 

The Purpose of JAX SSP

JAX SSP is different from most other summer programs we’ve talked about, in that in most cases it will have zero impact on your college admissions journey. This is a program you can only apply to as a graduating senior, most every student who participates will have already accepted a place at a college by the time they set foot in a JAX lab. There are rare exceptions of course, those students who decide to take gap years, but on the whole, this summer program won’t impact your odds of getting into college at all, and indeed cannot.

This doesn’t make it worthless, far from it, but does recontextualize it, compared to so many of the other programs we discuss on this blog. Summer programs in high school have their own merits, and plenty of them, but the real reason students attend many of them is for the college application benefits. College applications are a looming and inescapable thing, dominating all thought during high school for many students, and this extends to how you spend your summers. 

Many students therefore take the last summer between high school and college as a break, hitting a wall and stopping entirely for a spell, a last hurrah. This is an understandable impulse, though we do advise at least some structure, even if you are relaxing the whole time. A summer spent traveling with friends, even within your own city, will bring more joy than one spent solely on your phone. 

A program like this, however, is far more forward looking, and far more work. The truth is that getting into college is not the end of your educational journey. It can certainly feel like it, especially with the amount of emphasis put on college admissions, but for many students it is simply an intermediary step. An important one, and a big one, but not the last one. 

This program gives you the kind of lab research experience it’s hard to get in high school. Other summer programs do this as well of course, but more experience is more experience, and since it happens after high school, it can stay on your resume for longer. Thus, when you apply for future lab positions, in college and beyond, you have something to point to.

Lab work is a complicated thing, with many safety and protocol steps that must be learned. Research is similar; it is something that sounds easy in theory, but the practice is complicated and fiddly. Getting experience with both now, before you ever set foot on a college campus, gives you a major leg up for all of the work you will be doing at college, and beyond.

This isn’t the right program for everyone, and we fully understand why you may not want to spend your summer after high school doing something like this. It is a valuable opportunity however, the kind of thing which can prepare you for future success in scientific endeavors.

Final Thoughts

How you spend your summers matters in high school, but this remains the case, and indeed becomes even more important in college. The internships, jobs, and experiences you get during your summers at college are what prepare you for your next steps, in education and career. The JAX SSP program is one example of what these look like, and one that allows high school students to get a jump on this next step of their journey.

If you are looking for advice on applying to college in the first place, or on how to spend your summer, regardless of where you are in your own academic journey, then ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø can help. Our mentors have a depth of experience in helping students make the most of their limited time, and connecting you with the opportunities which will best support your needs. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help you.

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Why did this happen? What changed? And what does this mean for you, and your plans for summer? In this article we’re going to explore what this program was, and what changed with it recently. Finally, we’re going to explore some alternative ways you can spend your summer gainfully. Let’s jump right in!

Why Did Bank of America Student Leaders End?

This is a difficult question to answer, especially because if you go to the , it indicates that the program is ongoing, speaking in the present tense. Once you actually begin your application, however, you are greeted by this message: 

• We are looking for the next generation of community leaders. If you are a freshman (rising sophomore) enrolled at an accredited post-secondary educational institution with a passion for improving your community, we want to help you turn that passion into action.

College freshman and high school students are generally mutually exclusive categories, a fact driven home by the list of eligibility requirements the program provides on the application itself (though not one the website): 

• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application
• Have achieved your high school diploma or equivalent within the last 2 years (24 months)
• Have earned at least 25 hours and no more than 60 credit hours of post-secondary credit

This has been reported, but primarily by . While this is not always the most reliable news source, they have it right this time, and are clear in their consternation and frustration. This is unsurprising; this was done without any advance warning, and many students who were planning on participating in the program have now been left to find alternatives to apply to instead.

But Why is it Ending?

This is the question we have been unable to answer, and Bank of America has been mum on the subject, even when called for comment. We can make guesses, but these will be no more than speculation. This was a clear pivot, even if the program itself hasn’t made any announcements on it. 

Our best guess is that the program, for one reason or another, no longer served the purpose that Bank of America had for it. This may have come from reports from partner organizations, or from changing internal priorities. 

What Can You Do Instead?

This is the problem many students are facing right now, since in many ways the Bank of America program presented a somewhat unique suite of opportunities. There are many chances to volunteer in your local community, but these sorts of paid structured internships are much harder to come across, especially with the added leadership opportunities the Student Leaders program afforded.

This is especially true given how opportunities differ across different fields of interest. There are far more structured research internships in STEM fields, for instance, than in business, and for a long while the Student Leaders program has been the premier opportunity for students who are interested in pursuing a business major.

There are other programs of course, but few structured ones which provide the same kinds of hands-on opportunities that Student Leaders afforded. These opportunities are far more valuable than the ones that offer coursework alone. Learning is good, colleges know that, but learning paired with doing is more impactful, even for theory-focused schools like UChicago.

To that end, here are some options which can provide a similar sort of opportunity, though they may take more work to arrange on your part. Part of the appeal of Student Leaders was the structured nature of the program, though the flexibility of other approaches can have advantages, if you work for them.

Individualized Internships

We’ve written about finding internships before, and these can very much take the place of Student Leaders, as that is itself an internship program. You can find your own internships, (as we outline in the article) while this does take some doing, these often allow for more work down the road, and don’t necessarily end when summer does. This is an approach we often recommend for students interested in business, as the task of finding an internship is in itself good preparation for what you’ll be doing in the future. 

High Level Volunteering

Certain volunteering opportunities just require you to show up and work. This is fine and helpful, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done, and it requires hands to do it. Some volunteering, however, is more structured, and lets you use your talents at a higher level. Building a website for a non-profit. Helping a charity organize its data so it can evaluate its effectiveness. Creating a marketing campaign for a student outreach program.

By doing these things, you are able to work on and build real skills, and in so doing also advance the mission of the non-profit you are working with. Universities often look for students who actively seek to give back to their communities, and volunteering conscientiously in this manner is one of the best ways to do so, especially for students with an interest in business.

Final Thoughts

Programs like this are often somewhat inscrutable, even when they do communicate clearly, which Bank of America very much hasn’t in this case. We are disappointed that this program is ending; many students we’ve worked with in the past have benefited highly from it, as have the organizations they’ve partnered with. It’s not the only option for your summer of course, but it was a great one.

We hope this article has given you insight into how else you can spend your summer constructively, especially if you were one of the students who most stood to benefit from the Student Leaders program. Finding the best ways to spend your time is a constant challenge for high school students, but one you don’t need to deal with alone. At ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø, our mentors are well experienced at helping students find the best ways to spend their summers, and to explore their passions fully, wherever they may lead. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more, we’re always happy to hear from you.

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