Hi guys! I’m new to this too. @IDnurse how long were your emails to the PIs? Mine are about 350 words and it seems like a lot, not sure if they have time to read that much 
@ambitiousgeek I didn’t take any standardized tests when I applied so no they are no required, but if yours are high it doesn’t hurt to put it on your resume
Sorry guys I’ve got another question-- is it recommended to email PIs before submitting your app and getting teacher recs in, even though they cannot access your application? I’m still currently writing my app but haven’t asked for any teacher recs yet, and am worried that by the time my teachers finish writing my recommendations and the PIs can access my application, it will be too late for me to start sending emails.
They were approximately 270 words. Three paragraphs. @chelliosiro
I’m also curious whether or not we should email PIs before our application is completed?
Hey guys, I just want you guys to know that nih is literally all connections. My fathers a PI and he literally doesn’t care about the summer students – and if he does accept interns, they either come from prestigious colleges and or his friends kids. Not to discourage you guys, just to give you a heads up :^)
@mischiefmaker Yup, I’ve come to this conlusion. Thanks for the heads up though =((
Hey! I submitted my application about a week ago and I’m just starting to try and look up PI’s and draft emails :-S
I feel so behind! Im a college freshman and I’m currently involved in research, I just have no clue how to fid out which PI’s are accepting students
@deeeznuts Don’t worry!! There’s hope! I finally got an offer today, although the PI initially told me she had no paid positions, so I offered to take an unpaid position and it worked out! I did not have any connections, and perhaps even if I did, that would put me at a disadvantage, since whoever he/she is would know that I am socially awkward.
Congrats! @SearchForGenius How did you do it? How many emails lol?
@deeeznuts I looked through the research topics that I was interested in, and picked out a few PIs whose research I was interested in. My emails were fairly short – I just mentioned what school I go to, a general idea of my interests (since I have no solid research experience), what paper from them I have read, and a sentence or two about what I thought was interesting about their research/paper. I also attached my cover letter, like everyone else. Surprisingly, I only sent 9 emails. Like I mentioned before, though, the PI rejected me at first, but she specifically said she had no paid positions, so I went back and emailed her again, and she said that I could take an unpaid position. So go back to your rejection emails I guess, and maybe check if they mention anything about stipends, or payment?
I think the FAQ said that if the lab has no funding for interns, they may offer you a training volunteer position, which is basically the same thing, but no pay.
Would anyone here be willing to give me(high school junior) any tips or helpful info about getting a position, such as reviewing a letter or something?
I am a high school junior applying right now (I know I’m late) and wondering what to put in my resume. I have no research experience or honors/ awards. What should I put?
@Alana888 I’m in the same boat. I live in a really small town so my school doesn’t offer AP courses or Olympiads or research. I have quite a few medical related ECs though and that’s what I’m stressing in mine. I also put my standardized test scores bc they’re pretty good.
Also, to anyone who’s already been accepted/has been accepted in the past, should I go ahead and send my letters to PI’s before my application is completed? I’m waiting on my teacher rec’s. Or should I just wait for those rec’s and then attach them to my emails? (I anticipate them to be strong letters.)
@cook10 Same here! I am currently living in Canada and I can’t take AP, I haven’t taken the ACT/SAT and there’s no science clubs or research programs nearby. I have volunteered at a charity for people with Parkinson’s for three years and my intrest is in neurological disorders. Should i put my volunteering in resume or just my cover letter?
@Alana888 Yeah, include it in your resume! I put my volunteer experience in my resume. For my medical EC’s (which is basically why I’m so interested in science/why I’m qualified), I included them in my resume and then reiterated that again in my cover letter. I bet you could do the same thing with your volunteering, since that is what sparked your interest in neuro. Also, I kinda hinted that my town didn’t offer much in my cover letter. I think I said something along the lines of, “I need something that my small town of _______ can’t offer me.”
Is everyone who is applying close to the NIH campus? I’m hesitant to apply because I live in New York and I’m worried about housing/transportation. Any advice from CC’ers who have done this program in previous years?
I just got scheduled for an interview by Skype! I’m kind of nervous but also excited, any tips from someone who’s done this before?
@marccoreus11 Umm what about tips from you? How many emails? How’d you find a PI?