<p>I'll be attending the University of Miami this Fall as a freshman in Neuroscience. This summer, I was accepted and will be enrolled in a shadowing program at a hospital nearby for 5 weeks.</p>
<p>My question is: where can I find information on summer programs that I could possibly be eligible for next summer (2013)?</p>
<p>Also, I've been reading some posts on here and I came across a term: "REU" </p>
<p>What is REU?</p>
<p>REU = Research Experiences for Undergraduates</p>
<p>REUs are programs funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) at various colleges and universities all over the US. Some REUs aare extremely competitive; others not as much. The year-to-year availability of a REU depends upon the availability of NSF funding. There is a searchable database of REUs at:</p>
<p>[US</a> NSF - REU - Search for an REU Site](<a href=“http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm]US”>Search for an REU Site | NSF - National Science Foundation)</p>
<p>REUs are not the only national summer programs available. There are some privately sponsored summer reseach internships/fellowships. AMGEN is one program; SURF at CalTech is another. There are a number more. The NIH (National Institute of Health) in Bethesda runs a summer internship program for undergrads.</p>
<p>U of Rochester runs a neuroscience specific summer research program.</p>
<p>[The</a> Schmitt Foundation for Integrative Brain Research – Support Mechanisms: Summer Research Fellowships](<a href=“http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/nanat/schmitt/support/summerResearch.cfm]The”>http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/nanat/schmitt/support/summerResearch.cfm)</p>
<p>(There are others also.)</p>
<p>Be aware that most of the REUs and many of the other summer programs prefer upper classmen (rising juniors and seniors) because they already have some useful lab skills. Because a summer program only runs 8 weeks, profs find it difficult to get any results from their summer students if they come in knowing how to do nothing.</p>
<p>Usually it’s easier to get a first summer research position at your home school because you will likely be able to stay past just the summer.</p>
<p>As for finding other programs: Google is your friends. Also you can check out the summer program forum at Student Doctor Net. (But be aware that SDN is fulll of hysteria and hype–don’t get intimidated by some of the stuff you see posted there.)</p>
<p>thanks a lot for the information…am I on track right now for EC’s? or no?</p>
<p>You’re on the right track, but be aware that any activity done before the beginning of college typically isn’t included on your list of ECs on your AMCAS application. </p>
<p>The advantage of doing some shadowing early is that it will help you decide if you want to pursue medicine.</p>