<p>Hi!
I'm currently a sophomore in High School. I am looking for good summer programs that could help me gain a better understanding in scientific research, such as molecular genetics, neuroscience, and etc. I want to apply for programs that are that competitive, but would aid me in learning more and provide and hands-on experience for me. I was looking to NIH's summer internship even though that is pretty competitive without connections, so I was hoping that some of the experts out there could recommend some summer programs to me that were not too competitive! So, what are your suggestions?</p>
<p>There aren’t many options for sophomores, the field opens up a lot when you become a junior. There were a couple that closed down (due to funding cuts, I think) starting last summer. </p>
<p>A couple of questions – where do you live (some programs are only open to residents of certain states or regions)? Are you a racial minority?</p>
<p>Check out KEI. They have a research abroad program at Mahidol University in Thailand. I did it last year after my sophomore and it was AMAZING I learned so much about research (I was in an orgo lab) and also about Thai culture. PM me if you want to know more :)</p>
<p>@ inteparent, i live in New Jersey, do you know any good programs around there?</p>
<p>@Alwaysleah is KEI expensive? Did the professors there help you develop your own research ideas?</p>
<p>Yes it is expensive. I taught piano lessons for the year before and we used frequent flier miles for the airfare, but it cost around 4,000 plus airfare for the five weeks. if you’re diligent you could raise a few thousand (I raised 2500). </p>
<p>The professors do help you develop your ideas. If you get accepted, you’ll rank your preferences (like chemistry, biomedical, physics, environmental, math, computer programming, neuroscience, etc. basically everything) you’ll get matched with a professor in advance. I emailed mine before to develop a project and read some journals in advance so you know what you’re doing. I was paired with a masters student and we worked together everyday for the five weeks. By the end of the program I finished a project and presented it.</p>
<p>alwaysleah: I was looking the program and it said it was changed to a program in India? Do you by chance know which India program it is now? The website is kind of confusing.</p>
<p>Also is the program only for those who have a lot of research experience?</p>
<p>They change it around a lot. A few years ago it was in Puschino, Russia. KEI has multiple programs but high school students are only eligible for one. You should call Edward if you can find his number on the website and he’ll help you figure things out. A word of advice though, it’s a disorganized program and you will live on your own (with other high school/college students) so you have to be mature enough to handle whatever gets thrown at you in a foreign country. Of course there are on site Americans you can call and everyone will help if you need it.</p>
<p>If you live in close enough to NYC you can try applying to Rockefeller’s summer program. While they don’t take many sophomores they do take a few. It is free and you rank what areas of research you want to do. I did genetics and a couple of my friends did neuroscience so it definitely fits your interests. PM me if you have specific questions.</p>
<p>Nothing I am aware of in NJ. Here is one where you can apply as a sophomore. They give preference to students from that part of the country, but I know some kids get in from other regions. If you are female, your chance may be better, and they pay you:</p>
<p>[Wyoming</a> EPSCoR | University of Wyoming | Home Page](<a href=“404 - Page Not Found”>SRAP)</p>
<p>Here is one in Texas. I don’t think they provide housing, but you do get paid, so that would hopefully cover most of your travel & living expenses. You have to have completed bio and chem:</p>
<p>[UTMB</a> Office of Educational Outreach](<a href=“http://www.utmb.edu/oeo/students/srp.asp]UTMB”>http://www.utmb.edu/oeo/students/srp.asp)</p>
<p>You could email some professors around your area.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/summer-programs/1063234-how-apply-independent-research-internships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/summer-programs/1063234-how-apply-independent-research-internships.html</a></p>
<p>@ alwaysleah
What was the name of the program you applied for? They have a lot of different one, I’m not sure which one is for research?</p>
<p>I believe it was called the precollege research abroad program or something like that. I know, the website is really confusing. I’ll take a look and see if I can find you the link.</p>
<p>Okay it looks like they took the program off of the website. The one that they are saying is in India is a college program (I met a ton of kids doing it last summer). Maybe it’s cancelled? Or maybe it got moved to another country. Like I said, call Edward and he can clear all this up. Here’s his info: </p>
<p>Eduard Mandell
Managing Director
<a href="mailto:eduard@KEIabroad.org">eduard@KEIabroad.org</a>
1.800.831.5095 ext. 3</p>
<p>Okay thank you!</p>
<p>No problem! Be sure to PM me if you have any more questions. If you do end up going I would have tons of advice!</p>