College

Project Success for
College Students

Opening the Door to Biomedical Careers

A "hands-on," paid, ten-week summer internship program for college students who have participated in Project Success/High School Program.

Program Description

College applicants must have participated in Project Success while in high school in order to be eligible to apply.

Project Success/College is a "hands-on," paid, four-week summer internship program for college students who have participated in Project Success/high school. Students are matched with basic science or clinical investigators in settings within Harvard Medical School and the medical community—basic science laboratories, teaching hospitals, community and biotechnology sites. This year we are expanding the program to include Health Policy research labs that may include the opportunity to conduct clinical research using human subjects or a chance to select a research topic, collect data and conduct the analysis using statistical methods. Students have a variety of laboratory experiences, acquire state-of-the-art scientific knowledge and technical skills, and increase their understanding of how to conduct scientific research. The students are assigned mentors, either Harvard Medical School faculty or staff, who provide guidance and career counseling. Students who return to Project Success as college students are given the option of continuing the research they started in a previous summer (if that lab is available) or choosing a new direction or research area.

Students are exposed to a variety of other educational opportunities, such as a summer discussion series; seminars with researchers and physicians; site visits to hospitals and biotechnology firms; and academic year seminars and special programs.

Program Goals

The goal of Project Success/College is to continue to challenge and nurture talented students, particularly students from groups underrepresented in medicine and/or disadvantaged students, who are interested in pursuing biomedical careers.

In linking students with scientists and physicians within various clinical and research settings, it is hoped that students will:

  • Continue to assess their interest in and aptitude for biomedical careers;
  • Engage in hands-on research to enhance their technical skills and scientific knowledge; and
  • Be encouraged to become critical thinkers.

Eligibility

Eligible students must:

  • Have previously participated in Project Success while in High School.
  • Be presently enrolled in a college.
  • Have demonstrated an interest and ability in science or an interest in pursuing a biomedical science or health-related career.
  • Have maintained a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least B-, and have taken science courses including at least one laboratory course.
  • Be willing to complete all required formal oral and written reports; attend all Project Success-sponsored seminars; and maintain good attendance and performance on required research projects.
  • Be willing to complete all required formal oral and written reports; attend all Project Success-sponsored seminars; and maintain good attendance and performance on required research projects.

Application Process

The application selection process includes:

  • Completion of the formal application.
  • Submission of a letter of interest written by the applicant.
  • Written recommendation by a college science teacher.
  • One copy of the applicant's most recent college transcript.
  • A personal interview (if requested by the Advisory Committee)

For applications and more information contact:

E-mail: robert_simpson@hms.harvard.edu
Tel: 617-432-1557