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Boston University School of Medicine CityLab

Boston University School of Medicine

SummerLab: week-long summer programs in which students design and carry out their own investigations in biotechnology.

Who should apply

A strong fit for middle and high school students (and their teachers) who want hands-on biotechnology lab experience and exposure to biomedical science.

Eligibility

  • Designed for middle and high school teachers and their students

What you get

  • Hands-on biotechnology lab modules (DNA restriction analysis, PCR, bacterial transformation, ELISA, hemoglobin electrophoresis, and more)
  • Access to a MobileLab that brings equipment to schools
  • SummerLab and a Scholars Program option

What the application involves

  • Participation is typically arranged through schools/teachers; SummerLab and the Scholars Program have their own enrollment processes (see program pages)

Application tips

  • Ask your science teacher whether your school already partners with CityLab or the MobileLab, often the easiest route in.
  • For SummerLab or the Scholars Program, watch the CityLab site for the cycle's enrollment details and apply as soon as it opens.
  • Come prepared to engage with wet-lab techniques like PCR and bacterial transformation.
  • Use the Contact page to confirm current offerings and any costs before committing.

Good to know

CityLab was established in 1991 and focuses on increasing diversity in STEM and biomedical sciences. The homepage doesn't list eligibility cutoffs, costs, or formal application steps, confirm via Contact Us.

BiotechnologySummerBoston

Not eligible for this one? These are open anywhere in the U.S.

Being in the wrong state rules out a lot of programs and almost none of the good ones. Here are three you can apply to from anywhere, soonest deadline first.

Due February 5 · ~6 months

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Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)

Summer Health Professions Education Program

A free summer program to explore medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and more across 12 partner institutions, building applicant competencies, clinical exposure, and professional networks.

Who can apply: Anywhere in the U.S.

FreeVarious (12 partner institutions)

Due in February · ~7 months

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MIT Minority Introduction to Engineering and Sciences (MITES)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Five rigorous math, science, and humanities courses paired with lab tours, social events, and college admissions counseling, firsthand insight into the value of STEM degrees and careers.

Who can apply: Anywhere in the U.S. · grade 11

FreeCambridge, MA