High School Summer Program
Presenting the 60th Annual
Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences
sponsored by the School of Health Professions
Program is open ONLY to current Texas high school seniors that will graduate in Spring 2020 and enter college in Fall 2020
The program runs June 8-July 24, 2020.
The program introduces interested and qualified young Texans to a research environment and provides firsthand experiences in the varied career opportunities available at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, the nation's leading cancer research and treatment centers. A total of 10 students will be selected to participate in this seven-week program.
Students selected for the program are given a rare opportunity to participate in a research project in one of the biomedical disciplines under the guidance of a full-time member of the MD Anderson faculty. Emphasis is placed on the importance of the basic principles that form the foundation for scientific investigation.
During the program, students work in MD Anderson laboratories five days a week, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The majority of this time is spent doing actual hands-on work that provides the students with a clear knowledge of exactly what it means to be a biomedical researcher as well as an understanding of the discipline required.
The laboratory experience is supplemented by seminars presented by faculty on a wide variety of research topics and by activities exclusive to participants of all the Summer Programs.
At the end of the program, each student will prepare an oral and written report of his or her activities for presentation to fellow students and his or her research sponsors.
At the conclusion of the program, participants will share their experiences during a presentation and a celebration luncheon.
Participants will approach their upcoming college term with an increased awareness and confidence in allied health professions career fields.
Eligibility Criteria
Students applying for the Summer Program must meet the following requirements.
- Enrolled in a Texas public, private or charter high school as a senior-level student during the Spring 2020 semester.
- Will graduate from high school prior to the start of the SHP Summer Program.
- Accepted into a college or university as a college student during the Fall 2020 semester.
- U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, or F1, J1 Visa Holders.
- Able to attend the entire seven-week program; attendees may be excused up to three days to attend new student orientation at their college or university with permission from BOTH the School of Health Professions and the attendee's mentor.
- Previous laboratory and/or research experience is recommended, but NOT required.
The review committee will evaluate each application for a demonstration of
- Academic achievement
- Leadership
- Scientific Aptitude
- Service to community and/or school
Scholarship Award
Participants in the program receive a scholarship for the entirety of the program. This award is not a salary and is meant solely to subsidize cost of living expenses for students. The award is considered income and subject to all applicable taxes and fees.
Housing
All participants must secure their own housing for the duration of the program.
Application and Review Timeline
Friday, Nov. 1, 2019 Applications open.
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 Applications close - no new applications accepted.
*Monday, Feb. 3, 2020 Application review begins.
*Mid-February 2020 Invitee selection process.
*Late-Feb. to Early-March 2020 Invitations sent.
Monday, June 8, 2020 Summer Program begins.
Friday, July 24, 2020 Summer Program ends.
*Subject to change
Application Tips
Discover Application
New Summer Experience Account Form
- Use the first name and family (sur, last) that is on your driver's license, passport, or other government issued identification card.
- After submission, check your email for your verification email. Check your JUNK/SPAM folder and keep this email as a reference.
- Your will need your Discover ID and Password to login.
Discover Dashboard
- Click Step 1: Application Form then acknowledge and continue.
- Now you are ready to fill out the application and upload your documents.
You MUST complete the pre-application by the end of the day on Thursday, January 16, 2020; any applications completed after this time will not be accepted.
Pre-Application for a Research Appointment
- Biographical Information
- Fill out as required.
- Citizen Data
- If you select USA, then select "No" if you were born in the USA or its territories. Otherwise, select "Yes" if you were born in another country and went through the naturalization process to become a citizen.
- If you select another country, then you must also select your country of permanent residency.
- Fill out as required.
- Voluntary Information Enter your birthdate as we have to report any minors attending our program. All other information is optional, but we appreciate any data you can provide.
- Academic History
- Add each high school you have attended.
- For Academic Institution, select "Not Listed" and for Other, enter the complete school name.
- For Degree Type and Major Degree of Study, enter 'Not Listed".
- For Degree Awarded/Expected, select "Yes" and for Date Degree Awarded/Expected, enter your anticipated graduation date or GED certification.
- Employment & Training Experience You do not have to input information here as your curriculum vita (resume) will include this information. Type "YES" and hit Confirm.
- Academic Awards and Honors You do not have to input information here as your curriculum vita (resume) will include this information. Type "YES" and hit Confirm.
- Additional Demographics and Future Plan
- SECTION I: DEMOGRAPHICS
- This section is optional.
- However, MD Anderson collects data regarding students from disadvantaged nackgrounds and first-year college students.
- We appreciate if you answer Are you from a Disadvantaged Background and Are you the first individual in your family to attend college (answer "Yes" or "No").
- SECTION II: OTHER INFORMATION
- We understand this is still too early in the process for you to have made lodging and transportation arrangements (unless if you live in and around Houston).
- Select "Undecided" for now if you do not feel comfortable answering at this time.
- SECTION III: CURRENT & FUTURE ACADEMIC INFORMATION
- Your school registrar should be able to provide your most recent overall GPA on a 4.0 scale (some school provide it on their transcripts).
- Check "Fall 2020" for degree-granting program
- Select "High School Student" for SPRING 2020 academic designation.
- Select the appropriate Undergraduate designation for FALL 2020 academic designation.
- SECTION I: DEMOGRAPHICS
- Disclosure Statement Initial each box.
Submit the Pre-Application prior to the end of Thursday January 16, 2020 to be eligible to upload necessary documents to complete the formal application.
Discover Dashboard Click Step 2: Upload Documents.
- General documents instructions
- Save your CV and Personal Statement as .pdf documents prior to upload.
- If your school only provides a hard copy (paper) of your unofficial transcript then
- Use a scanner to save the document as a .pdf.
- If you do not have access to a scanner, then use a scanner app on your mobile device to create a .pdf document. Do NOT take a picture and upload the photo.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Résumé
- Should be as long as it needs to be, however, be mindful of formatting, grammar, spelling, and syntax.
- Do NOT include a picture.
- Include at least the following sections: academic history (school attended), employment (most recent first), membership/leadership in organizations, honors and awards, and volunteerism/service.
- Personal Statement
- Download and follow the provided instructions
- Step 1: Format
- We are strict on work count - stay within the requested range.
- Do NOT select a mentor. We will match our selected participants.
- Step 2: Personal Statement Topics
- Answer each of the questions within your statement.
- THE PERSONAL STATEMENT ELIMINATES MOST OF THE APPLICANTS FROM FINAL CONSIDERATION. Applicants that receive the lowest scores typically do not answer the six questions within their statement.
- Step 3: Mentor Choices Do NOT complete this section as it is for a separate program.
- Unofficial Transcript of Highest Degree
- Upload your most recent UNOFFICIAL high school transcript from your school registrar.
- We recommend you WAIT until your Fall grades post before uploading your unofficial transcript.
- We will not accept a transcript from the end of your junior year not will we accept a printout from your school account.
To complete your formal application, we require TWO (2) letters of recommendation.
Discover Dashboard Click Request Letters of Recommendation.
- You references MUST be educational or professional (NOT a personal reference).
- Although not required, at least one letter should be from a past mentor/supervisor/manager from a laboratory/research program OR a high school/dual-credit science teacher - either of which can speak to your science/laboratory/research skills and experiences.
- PRIOR to Adding Provider
- Ask your chosen references to write you a letter of recommendation.
- Send them your CV and transcript.
- Let them know they will receive an email with instructions and a link to submit their letter.
- Inform them the requirements of the letter, "must be on official letterhead with original signatures, reflect the relationship to the applicant, and speak to the applicant's experiences and abilities".