Cancer Research Internships for Undergraduate Students

In addition to completing a mentored research project, students will participate in professional development workshops designed to facilitate the preparation of competitive applications for graduate/medical school.  Workshops include:

• Preparing a personal statement, resume, and abstract;
• Research ethics and issues; and
• Preparing and presenting a scientific poster. 

Students will also attend weekly research seminars regarding a broad array of scientific topics. The program culminates with a competitive poster session.

The SURP program also sponsors a number of social activities to foster interaction among students and their mentors. Activities may include:

• Attending a Mariner's game at Safeco Field;
• Participating in a tour of Theo Chocolates;
• Making a meal for patients and caregivers at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) House; and
• Hiking the trails on Mount Rainier
  

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Enrolled at NMSU at the time of application submission.
• Undergraduate student of at least sophomore standing. The ideal candidate will be entering their junior year; however related science and/or research experience may be a substitute for academic standing.
• *Underrepresented student.
• Possess a strong background in the sciences.

*This includes racial and ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in health sciences, persons with disabilities, and persons raised in economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Cancer Research Internship for Undergraduate Students is fully integrated with the FHCRC’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP).  To submit an online application, please visit the SURP website. The application deadline is Friday, January 18, 2013.  Letters of recommendation for up to two references are due by Friday, January 25, 2013.  Notification of acceptance will occur in mid-March.  

If you have any questions or would like more information about the Cancer Research Internship for Undergraduate Students, you may contact Drs. Michèle Shuster at NMSU at: mshuster@nmsu.edu or Julian Simon at the FHCRC at: jsimon@fhcrc.org.

Due to the competitive nature of Cancer Research Internship Program for Undergraduate Students, the following suggestions should be taken into consideration when preparing an application; however adhering to these recommendations does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

1. Give yourself adequate time to complete the application. Responses to open-ended questions should have a thoughtful, detailed response that shows the applicant is: 1) interested in gaining research experience in a specific area, e.g. molecular or cellular biology, public health, etc., and 2) has reviewed the FHCRC’s Faculty Page (http://www.fhcrc.org/en/labs.html) and learned about the investigators who work at the FHCRC and the types of research conducted. Students should proofread their application thoroughly for accuracy and completeness before submitting.
2. Applicants are strongly encouraged to ask friend(s), professor(s), and/or faculty advisor(s) to review their statement of research interests and career goals.  When writing a personal statement, the author should respond to the following key points:
   • For what are you applying and why?
   • What are your academic and/or professional goals?
   • Why are you applying to the FHCRC’s Cancer Research Internship Program?
   • What qualifications do you bring?
   • How are you prepared to make a contribution to the prospective lab/research group and/or your own professional development? If you don’t have prior research experience, have you held a position of responsibility or previously worked in a team setting that would lend itself well to this program?
   • How will this opportunity further your academic and/or professional goals?
3. Request an informative letter(s) of recommendation. An informative letter will highlight the courses you have taken, your quality as a student compared to other students, accomplishments achieved, and how this program will further your academic and/or professional goals. When requesting a letter of recommendation, the applicant should:
   • Choose your reference(s) wisely – a letter(s) of recommendation from an individual(s) in a department or field similar to the program for which you are applying is viewed more favorably than a recommendation letter(s) from a former employer or teacher in a non-related field.
   • Give your reference(s) at least two weeks to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
   • Submit your letter of recommendation request in writing. Give your references a copy of your resume and/or the following information: a) the name of the program to which you are applying and a brief description of what the program entails; b) the name of the sponsoring institution; c) a brief description of how the program fits in with your career goals; and d) a brief description of what you will contribute to the program and how you will benefit from participating.  The last and possibly most important information to convey is: e) when the letter is due, to whom the letter should be addressed, and the options for submitting the letter, i.e. via email, fax, or mailing address.
   • Send your reference(s) a friendly reminder – preferably one week prior to the application deadline.
   • The last and most important gesture to consider when requesting a recommendation letter is often the most overlooked.  In short; send your reference(s) a handwritten NOTE OF THANKS!

A compilation of internships in scientific research and medicine offered nationwide for high school, undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and MPH can be found here. In addition, Pathways to Science hosts a website that enables users to search for undergraduate summer research opportunities, graduate fellowships, and postdoctoral positions. For more information, please visit: http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/Form.asp

The Guide to Life Science Careers helps you to explore and choose what career is best for you. Starting with an assessment of who you are and how you work best, this guide takes you on a journey that extends from a survey of possible careers through the steps necessary to get there. Interviews with professionals about how they chose their career paths are included so you can learn how others became successful and understand the positive and negative aspects of various career choices. Strategies for networking, overcoming shyness, and building your résumé are also discussed to help you lay the groundwork for success and present the best you to potential employers. This guide is a must read for anyone embarking on a career in the life sciences.

The Cancer Research Internship for Undergraduate Students is supported in parts by NCI grants: 5 U54 CA132381 (FHCRC) and 5 U54 CA132383 (NMSU).