An Ultimate Guide to the Scripps Medical Internships
If you’re a high school student interested in the medical field, participating in a high-quality internship can be a big step forward for your education and future career. Programs such as the Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI) Student Research Internship provide valuable opportunities to gain hands-on experience, establish a robust foundation in medical research, and strengthen your college applications. The connections you establish and the skills you develop can differentiate you from other students applying to top-tier universities and medical schools.
In this blog, we’ll deep dive into the Scripps Medical Internship, how it works, and what makes it a valuable internship opportunity for motivated high schoolers.
What is the Scripps Medical Internship?
The Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI) Student Research Internship is a 10-week summer program designed for highly motivated students, including high schoolers aged 16 and above, interested in health sciences, statistics, and computational sciences. The goal of this program is to develop future leaders in translational medical research, which focuses on applying scientific discoveries to improve patient care. As an intern, you’ll get to work on such revolutionary fields as genomics, bioinformatics, digital medicine, and community engagement, understanding the nitty-gritties of what it takes to provide more personalized and data-driven treatment.
You will engage in real research projects under the mentorship of leading scientists at the Scripps Research Translational Institute. In addition to building your technical skills, the program also provides experience in study design, data analysis, and scientific communication. By the end of the program, interns are expected to have worked on an independent research project and present their findings at an end-of-program poster symposium.
How is the program structured?
SRTI takes place in two batches: June 2 – August 8 OR June 16 – August 22. The program’s curriculum includes both structured learning opportunities and independent research experiences, ensuring that interns gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills. Here’s what you can expect:
Mentorship: Each student is paired with a primary mentor who specializes in their area of interest. This mentor will guide you throughout your research projects, offering expert advice and professional insight.
Research Projects: Interns are expected to develop and execute an independent research project, starting with a one-page research proposal that must be vetted by your mentor. These projects contribute to the broader mission of SRTI in advancing personalized medicine and digital health solutions.
Seminars and Lectures: You will have to attend two weekly seminars covering a range of topics related to translational research. These lectures provide excellent exposure to the latest advancements in genomics, bioinformatics, and other related fields.
Journal Club: Interns work in teams to review and present scientific journal articles, helping them develop critical thinking and communication skills.
Research Presentations: Close to the end of the internship, you’ll have to present your findings at institute-wide research meetings, a good opportunity to sharpen your presentation skills and benefit from the experience of academic conferences.
Final Poster Symposium: The program concludes with a poster symposium, where you will showcase your research to faculty, scientists, and peers.
Is it prestigious?
The SRTI Student Research Internship is highly regarded in the field of translational medicine and is associated with one of the most prestigious research institutes in the country. While the specific acceptance rate is not publicly available, the competitive nature of the program and a batch size of only 40 students suggest a highly selective admission process.
The internship's networking opportunities with leading scientists and researchers can potentially lead to future research opportunities, medical school admissions, and career advancements in biomedical research. The research experience gained through this internship is sizable in itself, providing tangible proof of your STEM knowledge that can strengthen your profile. Alumni of similar high-caliber research internships often go on to publish papers, present at national conferences, and gain admission to top medical and graduate programs.
Who is eligible to apply?
To apply for the SRTI Student Research Internship, you must:
Be a highly motivated high school student aged at least 16 years before the start of the internship.
Demonstrate a strong interest in genomics or health translational research.
Be able to commit to the full 10-week program.
While no specific GPA or prior experience is listed as a requirement, the tiny batch size of 40 students across high school, undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels ensures that the application process will be incredibly selective.
How does the application process work?
The application process for the Scripps Internship involves:
A complete online application.
Your unofficial school transcripts.
A statement of purpose.
A 1-minute video highlighting your passions and strengths.
A letter of recommendation from a trusted adult who is not a family member, like a teacher, coach, or mentor.
The two dates to keep in mind are:
Application Deadline: March 31
Notification of Acceptance: May 2
Pros and Cons of the program
Pros:
Provides hands-on research experience: Interns work on real-world research projects, gaining skills in study design, data analysis, and scientific communication.
One-to-one mentorship from Scripps scientists: Each student is paired with an experienced mentor who provides guidance throughout the internship, actively involved in your research proposal and day-to-day activities.
You will benefit from the prestige of the program: Being affiliated with Scripps Research, especially in such a highly competitive internship, enhances your academic and professional profile.
Excellent networking opportunities available: The program facilitates interactions with leading scientists and peers, fostering valuable professional connections.
Exposure to scientific seminars, presentations, and symposiums: During the internship, you will fully experience scientific seminars and research symposiums and learn what it takes to present research in a professional setting.
Cons:
Highly competitive: With only 40 spots open at such a prestigious internship, securing a spot is extremely challenging.
The time commitment is significant: The 10-week full-time schedule may conflict with other summer plans.
Financial Considerations: While stipends and housing are available for a select few of the 40 interns demonstrating financial need, others may need to manage their own expenses.
Our review: Should you apply?
The Scripps Research Translational Institute Student Research Internship is an excellent opportunity for highly motivated high schoolers passionate about medical research and translational medicine. While it’s incredibly selective and requires serious commitment over the entire 10-week period, it is ideal if you want to achieve a deeper understanding of medical research and are considering a career in healthcare, biomedical research, or computational sciences. If selected, you will gain invaluable experience, mentorship, and networking opportunities that can set you apart in future academic and career pursuits.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!