Summer Internship Programs
2024 Program Dates:
May 28, 2024 – Aug. 2, 2024
Application Dates
Dec. 1, 2023 – Feb. 2, 2024
The Houston Methodist Academic Institute offers an unparalleled 10-week paid summer internship program designed to offer chosen interns with an extraordinary opportunity to collaborate with renowned research experts. Both high school and undergraduate interns are partnered with Houston Methodist leading faculty in translational research. Interns will be responsible for working on their own scientific research project. At the conclusion of the internship, interns will present their findings and compete in a poster presentation competition. Throughout the internship, students will attend weekly seminars focused on career growth and professional advancement. Additionally, interns will have the opportunity to engage in didactic lectures delivered by leading scientists and physician researchers from Houston Methodist.
Interns receive assistance and mentorship from leaders in their designated labs. They also acquire valuable professional exposure through a range of networking opportunities, leaving each student with a unique internship experience. Additionally, interns engage in diverse social activities that contribute to a comprehensive and enriching summer encounter. Some interns, in collaboration with their mentors, even have the chance to publish their work, and many are discovering career pathways at Houston Methodist. We encourage all prospective applicants to thoroughly review the requirements before applying.
Summer Undergraduate Research Internship
The Summer Undergraduate Research Internship is designed to enhance interns' comprehension and hands-on exposure in translational research. This program offers selected interns the opportunity to collaborate with some of Houston Methodist's leading faculty.
Fields Rosenberg Surgical Fellowship
Developed under the guidance of Wade Rosenberg, MD, this program is tailored to undergraduate students seeking a comprehensive physician shadowing experience. Rosenberg Fellows participate alongside experts in fields such as neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, and more.
Kadoorie Cardiovascular Internship
The Kadoorie Cardiovascular Internship program offers meaningful clinical exposure to second or third-year undergraduates who are ready to position themselves as strong candidates for medical school, proficient healthcare providers, and prospective leaders in the field of medicine.
Summer High School Research Internship
This internship program introduces translational research to high school juniors and seniors. Working alongside interns in the undergraduate research program, students will acquire valuable insights into the research process and develop an understanding of academic career paths after high school.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the internship?
What are the application requirements?
Application Requirements:
- Applications must be completed in full by 5:00pm (CT), February 2, 2024.
- Undergraduate students may apply to only one of the following programs:
- Summer Undergraduate Research Internship
- Fields Rosenberg Surgical Fellowship
- Kadoorie Cardiovascular Internship
- High school juniors and seniors may apply to the Summer High School Research Internship only.
- The link to the MERLIN application portal will be visible on the program webpages starting Dec. 1, 2023.
- The following items must be completed in the MERLIN application portal:
- Demographic information of student
- Short essay questions (see below)
- Upload of current resume
- Upload of current transcript (official or unofficial)
- Upload of two letters of recommendation
Note: Documents should be less than 4 MB each and in Adobe PDF format only. Remove hyphens, colons and other special characters ( “ - , : ; ) from all file names before uploading.
Application Essay Questions:
- Essay questions for Undergraduate Research and High School Research Internship (250-word limit):
- Explain why you would be a great candidate for the summer research program and how it would benefit your career goals.
- Please describe any previous research or laboratory experience you may have.
- (OPTIONAL) Please briefly explain any challenges you have experienced in your academic career and how you overcame them.
- Essay questions for Fields Rosenberg Fellowship and Kadoorie Cardiovascular Internship (250-word limit):
- Describe your career goals in medicine.
- How could you benefit from a hands-on surgical shadowing experience?
- Please describe any clinical or hospital volunteer experience you may have.
Is there a minimum age to participate in the high school internship?
Where does the internship take place?
What field or specialty will I be observing and working in?
Can I apply if I'm not a US citizen?
Is this a paid internship? Are there any costs to participate?
Does the program offer housing or transportation assistance?
Can I still apply to the programs if I will not be able to start on May 28th?
Can I apply if I was a previous intern in one of the programs?
If I’m graduating from college this year, am I still eligible to participate in the programs?
What if my items are not submitted by the Feb 2nd deadline?
How do I submit my letters of recommendation and what should they say?
Applicants should submit the letters of recommendation themselves in the MERLIN application portal. The reviewer should be able to speak about your academic and/or extracurricular activities and how those characteristics make you a favorable candidate for this internship. Letters must be submitted in PDF format with the application by the February 2nd deadline, so we recommend requesting them as early as possible to allow your reviewers time to complete them.
How will I know when my application is complete or if I'm accepted?
Are candidates reviewed and accepted while applications are still open?
What can I do to make myself a competitive applicant?
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AT HOUSTON METHODIST
Houston Methodist welcomes volunteers who want to offer their time, talent, and dedication. Volunteers provide a valuable service to our hospital operations. There are a variety of volunteer roles to fit individual time commitments, schedules, abilities and interests. Volunteers may work directly with patients or choose to work behind-the-scenes, providing administrative or customer support. Click Here to learn more about volunteering opportunities at each Houston Methodist location.
The Caring Teen Volunteer Program is a volunteer opportunity for high school students, ages 15-18, to serve at Houston Methodist during the summer or fall. A full description of the Caring Teen Volunteer Program, as well as information on applying, can be found at their site. Please note that the Caring Teens Volunteer Program is for non-research volunteers only.