<p>I really want to get in, but I personally know crazily overqualified candidates who get rejected. What are they looking for? I'm currently a sophomore, so I guess I would have time to work on it. But, did any CCers actually make the cut? I must have viewed hundreds of profiles without seeing a single one listing NIH as an EC.</p>
<p>It's not very competitive, from what I know. Also, the deadline has passed, I believe. It was a week or two ago. </p>
<p>It is not very competitive, and it really isn't that great of an experience, from what I have heard from friends I have met. It really depends, though, on the location and mentor you end up. It's luck, I guess. Also, I know plenty of people who decided not to go just because they have to provide their own housing, etc.</p>
<p>I must disagree with Optimization...and it may be because I am doing NIH this summer.</p>
<p>Being selected by a lab at NIH is competitive. There is only about 1 slot for every 10 applicants because the labs take in limited number of students each year. Once there you are working at the foremost research institution in the country alongside researchers, postdoctorate fellows, the whole nine yards. There is the prospect of becoming published which is amazingly impressive if you are only 16 or 17. Every medical student or biomed undergraduate would kill for a chance to have worked at NIH as a high school junior or senior. It is just a great opportunity to become immersed into the research field at such a "young" age. It is also great if your research mentor can write a glowing recommendation that could help with college admissions and really show your passion for research and science. For those interested in the biomedical field and research, there is nothing better than to work at NIH. The name alone carries so much prestige. I have no idea what Optimization is saying. You can also use your work at NIH for Siemens, ISEF, Intel Talent, etc...</p>
<p>Where is this located?</p>
<p>I got a spot at NIH but only because my father is best friends with someone who works there.</p>
<p>when did you guys get information regarding when you were selected, smder99 and brosfam</p>
<p>I was not fortunate enough to have connections at NIH like brosfam. I had to apply through their conventional online application, send in recommendations, transcripts, etc...</p>
<p>I was contacted by two labs for an interview and traveled to NIH to do so. Ultimately, one of the labs selected me and now I am working there this summer!</p>
<p>i applied to nih too, although i submitted my application feb 28th...
for yall who got in already, did you send in your apps really early? and when did nih contact you?</p>
<p>also, for the coursework and grades, do we put our transcripts? and for this year, can we put our current grades?</p>
<p>NIH is pretty competitive if you don't have any connections. The "admissions" process at NIH is nonexistent--applicants are selected by individual principal investigators who have access to a database of applications. High school students generally have to contact quite a few PI's through email to have any shot at an internship (again, unless their parents have strong connections with principal investigators). I submitted my application on February 9 and so far have only gotten one offer as a volunteer, which would be an unpaid position with no opportunity for any individual research. And I have connections (although very weak ones--my mom doesn't work in intramural research, but in scientific writing). The deadline for receiving responses is May 1 so I still have some chance, although at this point it's very likely I'll be doing something else this summer.</p>
<p>Ruella76, didn't you get into SSP anyway?
why worry? :-P</p>
<p>Hahahahaha exactly. That's why "it's very likely I'll be doing something else this summer." :)</p>