Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences

Grades: High school seniors only (current seniors during spring semester before program start)

Age: Must be 18+ years old by program start date (June 1 or June 8, 2026 depending on graduation date)

Citizenship: U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, or work-eligible visa holder

Prerequisites: Must have demonstrated interest in an ALLIED HEALTH career path (NOT open to general STEM; focuses on health professions like nursing, PA, PT, OT, respiratory therapy, etc.). Previous laboratory experience is NOT required.

Must be enrolled in a Texas public, private, or charter high school or homeschooled in Texas; must graduate spring semester prior to program start; must be accepted into a college/university beginning Fall semester immediately after program; must be able to commit to full 10 weeks (may substitute up to 3 days for college orientation with special permission); preference given to applicants planning to attend 2-year institutions with health professions programs

1. Review MD Anderson's School of Health Professions programs and their associated career paths to articulate genuine interest in allied health
2. Complete the official online application form on the MD Anderson website
3. Write personal statement/essay demonstrating: interest in allied health careers, leadership qualities, academic motivation, community service, and scientific aptitude
4. Secure 2-3 recommendation letters (ideally from teachers, counselors, or mentors who know your academic performance and character)
5. Submit official high school transcript
6. Provide proof of college acceptance letter (must be accepted to college before program starts)
7. Submit all materials by January 14, 2026 deadline
8. Participate in potential interview if selected as finalist (not explicitly stated but common practice)
9. Receive award notification by February 23, 2026
10. Accept or decline by March 4, 2026

Materials: Completed application form, Personal statement/essay (length not specified on website, likely 500-1000 words), 2-3 recommendation letters, Official high school transcript, College acceptance letter, Contact information and essay responses addressing selection criteria

Timeline: Applications open: November 17, 2025; Applications close: January 14, 2026; Review period: January 20 - February 23, 2026; Award notification: February 23, 2026; Response deadline: March 4, 2026; Program runs: June 1/8 - August 7, 2026 (10 weeks, full-time 8am-5pm Monday-Friday)

Cost: Free to apply; no application fee listed. Program provides $7,200 stipend ($6,480 for 9-week option) which covers living expenses, but students must secure and pay for their own housing and transportation to Houston. Meals and other expenses are student responsibility. Stipend is subject to federal and state taxes and deductions.

What judges look for:

• Demonstrated interest in allied health professions (NOT general STEM; must show career focus in health professions)
• Academic achievement (GPA, course rigor, academic awards)
• Leadership qualities (student organizations, leadership roles, initiative)
• Scientific aptitude and curiosity about biomedical research
• Community service and volunteer work
• Genuine motivation for healthcare career
• Ability to articulate why this specific program aligns with their goals
• Maturity and readiness for full-time laboratory environment

Scoring: Specific rubric not publicly disclosed, but review committee evaluates applications holistically across the five stated criteria. Given only 6 positions available, strong candidates likely excel in multiple categories, not just one.

Common mistakes:

• Applying without genuine interest in allied health (program is NOT for general STEM students)
• Not confirming college acceptance before deadline
• Failing to secure housing/transportation plan (logistical concerns may affect competitiveness)
• Generic application essays that don't demonstrate specific interest in MD Anderson or biomedical research
• Weak recommendation letters from teachers who don't know applicant well
• Not addressing the community service and leadership criteria
• Applying as a non-Texas resident (program is Texas-only)
• Applying if under 18 or not graduating in spring before program

Acceptance rate: Approximately 5-10% based on estimated 60-120 applications for 6 spots (highly competitive but not as selective as top national programs like RSI or TASP)

Applicants: Estimated 60-120 annually (exact numbers not disclosed by MD Anderson)

Winners/Selected: Up to 6 students per year (explicitly stated as 'up to 6 students will be selected')

This is a HIGHLY COMPETITIVE program within Texas. The 66-year history and MD Anderson's prestige as the nation's leading cancer center make this sought-after. However, it's less nationally competitive than programs like RSI or TASP because it's Texas-only and focused on allied health rather than pure research/STEM. Strong regional program with significant college admissions value.

• START EARLY: Applications open November 17, 2025 - begin planning essays and securing recommendation letters by October 2025
• Research MD Anderson's School of Health Professions programs in depth (PA, nursing, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, etc.) and identify which career path genuinely interests you
• Take challenging science and math courses if you haven't already; demonstrate academic strength through transcript
• Seek leadership positions in school clubs or volunteer organizations to strengthen leadership criterion
• Volunteer in healthcare settings (hospital, clinic, nursing home) to demonstrate genuine interest in health professions
• Find recommenders who know you well and can speak to both academic ability AND scientific curiosity
• In your essay, explain specifically why allied health interests you more than pure science/engineering - this is a KEY differentiator
• Address how this program fits your college and career trajectory - show you've thought ahead
• Highlight any research experience, scientific competitions, or advanced projects (AP/IB science courses, science fairs, research clubs)
• Demonstrate awareness of MD Anderson's mission and cancer research importance
• Plan housing logistics and mention in application if you have concerns solved (family in Houston, pre-arranged housing, etc.)
• Apply by January 14 deadline - no extensions, and don't wait until last minute
• Be specific and authentic in application - avoid generic statements about 'helping people' or 'liking science'
• If you don't get in, consider other MD Anderson summer programs or similar programs at other cancer centers/research institutions

• Identify and commit to an allied health career path (research PA, nursing, OT, PT, respiratory therapy careers at MD Anderson's website)
• Build strong relationships with 2-3 teachers who can write authentic, detailed recommendations (ask by November at latest)
• Volunteer in healthcare setting starting in fall 2025 (hospitals, free clinics, nursing homes, research centers)
• Take advanced science courses if available (AP Bio, AP Chem, honors physics)
• Join or lead science/health clubs at school or in community
• Gather information about your college choice's health professions requirements
• Draft personal statement addressing: why this career, why MD Anderson, what you hope to learn, how it fits your goals
• Have trusted adult (teacher, counselor, parent) review and critique your essay
• Confirm you'll be accepted to college by application deadline (apply early if needed)
• Research housing options in Houston (dorms, airbnb, host families) and budget using $7,200 stipend
• Get copies of official transcript
• Complete application well before January 14 deadline

Resources:

• Official MD Anderson website: mdanderson.org/education-training (explore all 21 CATALYST programs to understand organization)
• MD Anderson YouTube channel - watch program videos and research faculty talks
• School of Health Professions programs page at MD Anderson (understand career pathways)
• College/university websites for their health professions program requirements (understand prerequisites)
• Local healthcare volunteer opportunities (hospitals, clinics, research centers in your area)
• Your high school guidance counselor for recommendation letter guidance and college acceptance support
• Practice application essays through Common App or college-specific prompts
• Healthcare career exploration websites (Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare career sites)
• Shadow healthcare professionals if possible to strengthen authentic interest
• MD Anderson faculty pages/research summaries to understand available labs and mentors

Time needed: 4-6 months of preparation recommended: Begin September 2025 with research and relationship-building, intensify in October-November with essay drafting, finalize by January 14, 2026 deadline. Healthcare volunteering should ideally start by summer/fall 2025 to show genuine interest.

Successful applicants typically have: 3.8+ GPA with strong science/math grades; meaningful leadership role in at least one school organization; volunteer experience in healthcare or community service; demonstrated interest in specific allied health field (not vague 'pre-med' interest); articulate communication about why this career path matters to them; strong relationships with teachers/mentors who write compelling recommendation letters. Winners show both academic excellence AND character/service orientation - they're not just smart, they're motivated to help others. Many have taken AP Biology, AP Chemistry, or IB science courses. They often have some exposure to healthcare environment (shadowing, volunteering) before applying.

This program has SIGNIFICANT positive impact on college admissions, especially for students pursuing health professions. Admissions officers view it as: (1) Evidence of serious commitment to healthcare career (not just saying it on applications); (2) Rigorous full-time research experience at a world-class institution (highly prestigious); (3) Demonstration of work ethic and ability to function in professional environment; (4) Validation by selective program that student has strong academics and character. The MD Anderson name carries substantial weight - it's the #1 cancer center nationally, so admission is impressive credential. Particularly valuable for PA, nursing, OT, PT, and other allied health program applications. Students can write about research experience in college essays, use mentor recommendation letters for grad school applications, and cite this on CVs for healthcare internships and positions. Program demonstrates initiative, as only Texas high school seniors can apply (limited pool). College counselors typically encourage applications if student meets criteria. NOT as prestigious nationally as programs like RSI or TASP, but within health professions and regional context, it's highly respected.

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