Programs Similar to SIMR

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
1

<p>This summer I plan on applying to Stanford's SIMR program. However, I know that this program is highly competitive and has a very low acceptance rate, so I would like some programs similar to it which I can applying to as well in case I am not accepted. I am looking for programs with focus on medicine, science, and research. They should be fairly prestigious and not BS. Thanks for any help!</p>

2

<p>Hey Skarlo, a while back I did the NIH summer internship program. Basically, it’s an 8-10 week biomedical research internship at the National Institutes of Health in Washington DC, and they pay you approximately a $4,000-$5,000 stipend to cover costs (commuting, etc). It’s a very prestigious program (even more so that SIMR in my opinion :slight_smile: ). However, you NEED to spend a lot of time working diligently on the application. The key to getting in is really just submitting an early application and then emailing prospective Principle Investigators (PI) for lab positions. On the NIH website, there is a database of available PI’s and their labs, which is easily accessible by Google. </p>

<p>For the application, you have to fill out your basic information, like your coursework, GPA, etc. You also have to fill out a cover letter, and sample cover letters are available on the website. There’s also a video on how to apply somewhere there too. It is a competitive position, and there are around 8,000 applicants every year for only 700 spots, so APPLY EARLY! Lab positions are taken up pretty quickly, although the submission deadline is sometime in March. After submitting your application, you should email SEVERAL (I did like 30) principle investigators expressing an interest in their lab and how you would like to contribute to their work. Basically just look them up on the NIH database, read a synopsis of their work, and then tell them why you’re interested. Not trying to dissuade you from SIMR, but NIH is just as noteworthy on an application and has a slightly more forgiving acceptance rate, so if you’re serious about NIH, you should focus on perfecting the application, which isn’t too difficult. The link to the program is right here: <a href=“Summer Internship Program (SIP) - Training Programs in the Biomedical Sciences - Office of Intramural Training & Education at the National Institutes of Health”>https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;