As we head into the holiday season, summer seems far away. However, many highly competitive summer camps have applications that open as early as November, with deadlines in the winter. It is advisable for the serious student to plan ahead and start thinking about productive ways to spend their summer.
Medical Focused Camps
Medical school is a time of learning and hands-on experience that prepares medical doctors for a career of caring for people. Although the knowledge gained in medical school is vital, people who pursue medicine are typically driven from a young age to pursue every opportunity they can to learn more about the field. An essential criterion of getting into almost any medical school is gaining exposure to the medical fields. This is especially true for ambitious students who are pursuing direct medical program (BS/MD). These programs want to see that you’re serious and willing to go the extra mile to acquire the knowledge and experience that will help you to be successful in school. Summer camps are a great way to gain some of this experience and learn vital skills at the same time.
Summer research camps are an excellent option for future medical doctors, and some of the most prestigious summer camps are free for participants. The lack of a price tag creates a highly competitive application process for admission to these programs. However, if you can get into one of these programs, it will look a lot more impressive on a direct medical program or university application than a summer camp you had to pay for because anyone with money can attend. In addition to being free, some of the programs offer participants a stipend for participating and doing the work.
The Simons Summer Research Program
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University gives highly motivated and academically gifted high school juniors the opportunity to participate in hands-on research in science, math, or engineering. Simons Fellows, as participants are called, team up with Stony Brook’s distinguished faculty mentors, who will guide them as they become part of a dynamic research team or even assume responsibility for a research project. For students interested in pursuing a career path in medicine, this is a great opportunity to gain valuable research experience, learn about laboratory techniques, and get the overall feel for life at a research university. Simons Fellows also attend weekly faculty research talks and are given access to other special workshops, tours, and events. At the end of their apprenticeship, Simons Fellows will write a research abstract and produce a research poster. At the closing poster symposium, they are presented with a $1,000 stipend award.
Originally established as an outreach program for local high school students in 1984, the Simons Summer Research program has expanded its reach to applicants all over the country. To be eligible, students must be interested in science and demonstrate independence, creativity, and an aptitude for hands-on work. Applicants must be in their junior year of high school, be a US citizen and/or permanent resident, and meet the age minimum of 16 years at the start of the program.
Because the Simons Research Program is financially supported by the Simons Foundation and individual faculty grants, students who are accepted don’t have to pay a fee to participate. Students may choose to live on campus or commute. Campus housing and dining are not covered and will be at the student’s expense.
The deadline to apply is January, and notifications are sent out in April.
Research Science Institute
The Research Science Institute assembles together 80 of the world’s most accomplished high school students. Each summer, these gifted students gather at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for five weeks to gain experience in the entire research cycle from start to finish. RSI is cost-free to students admitted and is the first to combine on-campus course work in scientific theory with off-campus work in science and technology research. Program participants will read the most up-to-date literature in their field, and then they’ll draft and execute a detailed research plan before delivering a conference-style oral and written reports on the research findings.
RSI Scholars begin the program with a week of intensive STEM classes taught by some of MIT’s accomplished professors. Then, students conduct individual projects under the mentorship of experienced scientists and researchers. They’ll prepare oral and written presentations on their research project during their final week at RSI.
To be eligible, applicants must be high school graduates and can apply as either a US Citizen/Permanent Resident or as an International applicant. Applications open in mid-November.
The Clark Scholars Program
The Clark Scholars Program is designed for highly qualified high school juniors and seniors. This intensive seven-week summer research program at Texas Tech University gives students practical hands-on research experience as they work alongside some of the most distinguished and experienced faculty members. In addition to the valuable research experience provided, students will also participate in fun activities, weekly seminars, and field trips. Scholars who are accepted into the program will receive a $750 tax-free stipend and room and board for the duration of the program. Scholars may pursue research in any of the university’s academic areas.
High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply but must be 17 years of age by the program start date. The program is free to participants. Applications are due in February, and the program runs from mid-June to early August.
Gaining The Experience Necessary To Be Successful
If you’re serious about pursuing a career in medicine, don’t wait until college to start thinking about what experiences you need to have to set yourself up for future success. The application process for each of these summer camps is highly competitive, so make sure you’re giving your high school work your best effort and demonstrating the drive and determination medical schools are looking for.
