SMS Summer Research Program Information What is the Summer Research Program? The Summer Research Program is an 8-week summer program where high school students work in the lab of a Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) researcher. If hired, you would work directly on a project for 40 hours/week for the duration of the 8 week period. In addition to this, you would attend weekly Lunch and Learn sessions sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity & Community Outreach at BCM. At these sessions, you will learn about various aspects of research and professional development over a shared meal with your cohorts. As a participant in the Summer Research Program, you will be hired as a BCM employee under the title of Summer Project Intern. As a Summer Project Intern you will be paid the minimum wage for the state of Texas. In January, following completion of your placement with the Summer Research program, you will be required to present a research poster highlighting your work from the summer at the Annual Houston Premedical Academy (HPA) Research Symposium sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity & Community Outreach at BCM. Please note that placement in the program is extremely competitive from year to year due to limited availability of labs as well as funding. Some years we are able to place as many as 10 students, while other years it may only be half that. If you are not selected for an interview or for placement, please do not be discouraged! We encourage you to keep applying each year you are eligible. What are the dates of the Summer Research Program? The program typically takes place within a week of area schools letting out for summer break (typically early June), and continues for a period of 8 straight weeks. This year s program will take place from June 5 through July 28. Students must be available to work each Monday-Friday through those dates in order to apply for the program. What hours does a Summer Project Intern work? As a Summer Project Intern, you will work 40 hours/week, Monday Friday. This is a full-time job for the duration of the 8 week period. The actual start and end time each day is determined by the researcher you are assigned to, but the total hours each week will add up to 40 hours. If you plan to take a family vacation, take a volunteer trip, work another job that coincides with these dates, etc. you should NOT apply for the program. If you don t think you can prepare and present a poster in a symposium in January (during the school year, whether still in high school or a freshman in college), you should NOT apply for the program. What makes me eligible for the Summer Research Program? You must: Be 16 years of age by June 1 (no exceptions, in accordance with federal law) Be fully vaccinated, with vaccinations up to date (no exceptions this is for the safety of the student due to nature of lab work) Have a US social security card or a US permanent resident card Be committed to work 8 full weeks in the summer and complete all of the requirements of the program Be committed to presenting a research poster at the HPA Research Symposium at BCM in January 1 Page
How do I apply? In order to be considered for the Summer Research Program, you must submit ALL of the following in ONE APPLICATION PACKET no later than the deadline set for applications. Incomplete and/or late applications WILL NOT be considered: Complete the application (SEE ATTACHMENT 1) Have your school complete the School Form on your behalf (SEE ATTACHMENT 2) Write a biographical sketch in the format provided which includes EACH of the following (cannot be longer than 4 pages) the template is included in the attachments (SEE ATTACHMENT 3): o A statement outlining your research interests and/or career goals o Evidence of your scientific interest and/or achievement o A current resume of your activities, leadership experience, and current or past jobs if applicable o You must sign your biographical sketch Submit an transcript from your school unofficial transcripts WILL be accepted, such as those printed from your school s online parent/student portal Provide all completed materials to the SMS program NO LATER THAN MARCH 30, 2018 via email or US mail (we do not have a fax machine). If you send the materials through the mail, they need to ARRIVE to our office on or before deadline for full consideration NOT postmarked by the deadline. We are unable to accept any late submissions. To send your application by email: laura.perry@bcm.edu To send the materials via US Mail: Saturday Morning Science 1 Baylor Plaza BCM 119 Houston, TX 77030 Selected candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview after review of all applications. For questions about the program or about the application process, please contact Laura Perry Olilo at 713-798- 8646 or via email at laura.perry@bcm.edu. 2 Page
ATTACHMENT 1: APPLICATION SMS Summer Research Program Application Name of Student Address City Zip Please check any of the categories below that apply to you: Underrepresented group (see info sheet) Disability (describe your disability in a written attachment) Low Income (per Federal guidelines see info sheet) Age School Grade UNWEIGHTED GPA Name of Parent/Guardian Occupation of Parent/Guardian Parent/Guardian s Contact Number Student s Contact Number Alternate Contact Number Cell Cell Cell Home Home Home Student s Email Parent s Email In Case of Emergency, please contact: Name Relation to student Phone Number(s) Email: Is student fully vaccinated, with vaccinations up to date? Only vaccinated students can be considered due to nature of lab work. Yes No Please provide the NAME, PHONE, and EMAIL for an advisor, principal or teacher as a reference: By signing below, I am stating that all of the above information is true and I understand that if I am selected to participate in the SMS Summer Research Program, I am expected to complete an uninterrupted 8-week assignment in a research lab at Baylor College of Medicine between June 2018 and August 2018, depending on the availability of the Principal Investigator. I understand that I will not be allowed to commit to other programs, camps or activities during that time. I understand that as a condition of this position, I am required to prepare and present a research poster in the Annual Houston Premedical Academy Research Symposium at Baylor College of Medicine in January of 2019. Student s Signature Parent/Guardian Signature (if under 18) Date
DEFINITIONS Underrepresented Groups: The AAMC definition of underrepresented in medicine: "Underrepresented in medicine means those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population." You are considered an underrepresented group if you are Black, Mexican-American, Native American (that is, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian), or mainland Puerto Rican. Disability A disability will not bar a qualified applicant from selection for the Summer Research program if the applicant is able to perform the essential functions of the lab assignment. If you have a disability you wish to let us know about on your application, please describe your disability in a written attachment. Low Income If your family s income is at 200% or below of the 2017 Federal Poverty Guidelines listed below, please check the Low Income section on the application. 2017 Federal Poverty Guidelines Household Size 100% 133% 150% 200% 250% 300% 400% 1 $12,060 $16,040 $18,090 $24,120 $30,015 $36,180 $48,240 2 16,240 21,599 24,360 32,480 40,600 48,720 64,960 3 20,420 27,159 30,630 40,840 51,050 61,260 81,680 4 24,600 32,718 36,900 49,200 61,500 73,800 98,400 5 28,780 38,277 43,170 57,560 71,950 86,340 115,120 6 32,960 43,837 49,440 65,920 82,400 98,880 131,840 7 37,140 49,396 55,710 74,280 92,850 111,420 148,560 8 41,320 54,956 61,980 82,640 103,300 123,960 165,280
ATTACHMENT 2: SCHOOL FORM To Whom it May Concern: (name of student), a student at (name of school), located at (school address), would like to participate in the Summer Research Program, a part of the Saturday Morning Science program at Baylor College of Medicine, for the summer of 2018. I understand that said student will be working in a research lab under the direction of a Principal Investigator at Baylor College of Medicine. I approve of s (name of student) participation in this research program, and I attest that their participation will not detract from or interfere with the student s regular course of studies. Name of school official completing document: Role of school official: Phone #: Signature of school official: Date: Please affix school stamp or seal in the designated space below:
ATTACHMENT 3: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH DO NOT EXCEED FOUR PAGES. NAME ADDRESS EMAIL EDUCATION/TRAINING INSTITUTION AND LOCATION - i.e. school (add additional page if more space is needed) TYPE OF EDUCATION/TRAINING (IF OTHER THAN HIGH SCHOOL) A. Personal Statement In this section write an essay that gives evidence of your scientific interest and/or achievement and also explain your research interests and/or career goals (you can copy and paste your essay). OMB No. 0925-0001/0002 (Rev. 08/12 Approved Through 8/31/2015) Page Biographical Sketch Format Page
B. Positions and Honors List in chronological order any previous positions, concluding with the present position. List any honors. Include present memberships (you can copy and paste your resume details). OMB No. 0925-0001/0002 (Rev. 08/12 Approved Through 8/31/2015) Page Biographical Sketch Format Page
OMB No. 0925-0001/0002 (Rev. 08/12 Approved Through 8/31/2015) Page Biographical Sketch Format Page