First-Year Medical Student Program

• The laboratory and clinical environment at MD Anderson provides a broad range of challenging basic research and clinical projects. First-year medical students learn lab safety practices and techniques for gathering, analyzing and presenting scientific data.
• Emphasis is placed on the importance of basic principles that form the foundation for scientific investigation and the analysis of clinical problems that are unique to the field of oncology. Students will learn to formulate scientific research questions and how fundamental questions in bench research are applied to clinical problems in cancer.  
• An interview workshop focuses on developing the confidence and intellectual tenacity that are fundamental to the successful articulation of viewpoints and ideas in a pressurized scientific environment. Scientists rely on these critical core skills when responding to challenging questions that may be asked during an interview.
• At the conclusion of the program, participants present their summer research project as an academic poster. Students also are eligible to participate in an elevator speech competition.

• Students in good academic standing who have completed their first year at an LCME- or COCA-accredited US medical school are eligible to apply.
• Students should demonstrate an interest in and aptitude for scientific investigation.
• Applicants selected for the program must commit to the full 10 weeks and must not have other summer employment. Partial participation is not allowed.
• Participants must comply with all institutional policies regarding conduct, academic honesty and lawful behavior.
• The program is unable to accept international students.

• Summer Experience 2022 will take place June 6-Aug. 12, 2022.
• MD Anderson's normal hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Exact work schedules are subject to the mentor’s needs and expectations.

Students who have interest in a specific scientific research project should include this information in the Personal Statement area of the application. While we attempt to match students with mentors in accordance with declared interests, this is based on faculty availability and may not be feasible in all circumstances.  

First-year medical student trainees receive a stipend of $6,000 for the 10-week program.  The stipend may change based on actual days worked in a week.  Students are expected to pay for housing, living, and travel expenses from these funds.  Paychecks are issued on the 5th and 20th of each month, deducting required federal tax.

Students are expected to secure their own room and board. Our website includes general information about traveling to Houston and finding lodging. Additional information will be made available to students accepted into the program.

You may apply starting Nov. 1, 2021 through Discover. Applications will be accepted through Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. CST.

The following information will be required on the application:

• Personal information, including contact information and address
• Transcripts from undergraduate universities and first semester of medical school
• Personal Statement
• Two letters of reference with contact information (At least one reference should come from a science or math professor. The other may be from an advisor, counselor or health care advisor/mentor with whom you worked in a prior program during the past four years.)

2019 First Year Medical Students Program

2018 First Year Medical Students Program