University of Rochester Medical Center Summer Scholars Program
Opportunity Description:
The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry continually strives to diversify student populations and thus to increase the number of graduate students currently underrepresented in the biomedical and health sciences. The Summer Scholars program is designed to encourage students from historically underrepresented minority groups in the STEM fields interested in a PhD degree in the Biological or Biomedical Sciences and for students with a potential interest in attending graduate school at the University of Rochester.
The Summer Scholars program is a 10-week research intensive program that includes working under the direct mentorship of one of our many research faculty members, as well as participation in research/educational seminars and presentations on applying to graduate school and career development. The program is designed for students from populations underrepresented in the School of Medicine & Dentistry who are interested in a PhD degree in the Biological or Biomedical Sciences and for students with a potential interest in attending graduate school at the University of Rochester.
Each summer program lasts for a 10-week period. Summer trainees will work under the direct supervision of a participating faculty mentor or post-doctoral student. All summer trainees will be responsible for constructing a poster outlining their research at the conclusion of the program and presenting their research at a final formal symposium. Summer trainees will also participate in research/educational seminars and presentations on graduate school and careers. Luncheons, group trips to area attractions and various social activities are organized for the chance to interact with University of Rochester graduate students and other summer trainees.
Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
- Undergraduates from US local and national colleges and universities.
- Undergraduates that are US citizens, permanent resident aliens or students with current F1 Visas from their host institutions in the United States.
- Matriculated college sophomores or juniors with strong academic backgrounds (applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.00).
Student applications from populations underrepresented in research as defined by the NIH and described below are especially encouraged to apply:
- The following racial and ethnic groups have been shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research: Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.
- Individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, as described in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended.
- Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, defined as:
- Individuals who come from a family with an annual income below established low-income thresholds. These thresholds are based on family size, published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census; adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index; and adjusted by the Secretary for use in all health professions programs. The Secretary periodically publishes these income levels at http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/index.shtml.
- Individuals who come from an educational environment such as that found in certain rural or inner-city environments that has demonstrably and directly inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career
Application Process:
The 2022 online application will open November 1, 2021. To apply, please complete the following steps:
- Create an account to start a new online application.
- Create a new password.
- Select: 2022 School of Medicine & Dentistry
- Select: SMD 2022 Summer Scholars to create an application
- Open: SMD 2022 Summer Scholars
- Enter the required application information.
- Sign and submit the completed application.
The application deadline is February 28, 2022. Each applicant must fill out and submit a completed online application.
The applicant will be asked to provide names for two recommenders. When the application is submitted, the recommenders will receive an email request asking them to upload a letter of recommendation for the applicant.
The applicant will be asked to upload scans of their transcripts as part of the online application. Applicants do not need to mail official transcripts to the program unless specifically requested by a program representative.