High-School STEM Internship

Grades

High school students (likely grades 10-12, though exact grade requirement not specified in accessible materials)

Age

Not explicitly stated; typically 14+ for paid internships

Citizenship

Not explicitly stated; likely US work authorization required

Prerequisites

Strong interest in STEM fields; likely some science/math coursework completed; GPA expectations typically 3.0 or higher for Baxter internships generally

Steps

1. Visit jobs.baxter.com or baxter.com/careers to locate high school internship posting
2. Create account in Baxter's applicant tracking system
3. Complete online application form with personal/educational information
4. Submit resume highlighting STEM coursework, relevant clubs, projects, and achievements
5. Write essay or cover letter explaining STEM interest and career goals
6. Potentially complete screening interview (phone or video)
7. Participate in final interview with hiring manager/team
8. Reference checks if selected

Materials Needed

• High school transcript
• Resume/CV
• Cover letter or essay explaining motivation for internship
• Contact information for references (teachers, advisors, or counselors)
• List of STEM projects, competitions, or relevant coursework

Timeline

Typically applications open December-January for summer internships; deadlines usually February-March; offers made April-May; internship runs June-August (12 weeks). Students should start researching and preparing materials 2-3 months before expected deadline.

Cost

Free to apply; this is a paid internship (exact hourly rate not disclosed in research but comparable healthcare internships typically pay $15-18/hour)

What Judges Look For

• Demonstrated passion for STEM fields through coursework, clubs, or projects
• Strong academic performance, particularly in science and math classes
• Leadership experience or initiative in school or community
• Clear understanding of healthcare industry and Baxter's mission
• Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities
• Communication skills and professionalism
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Curiosity about how medical devices/therapies work
• Career aspirations aligned with healthcare or engineering

Scoring

Not publicly disclosed; likely evaluated on: academic qualifications (25%), demonstrated STEM interest (25%), leadership/character (25%), essay quality and clarity of goals (25%)

Common Mistakes

• Generic application that could apply to any company—fail to research and mention Baxter's specific mission and products
• Poor writing quality in essays/cover letters with spelling/grammar errors
• Listing only grades without demonstrating genuine passion for STEM
• Weak explanation of why you want a healthcare internship specifically
• Failing to highlight any relevant projects, competitions, or leadership
• Submitting incomplete applications or missing deadline
• Not preparing adequately for interview—seeming unprepared about Baxter or the role

Acceptance Rate

Estimated 5-15% (Baxter is a Fortune 500 company; highly competitive but less selective than top tech internships; specific high school program data not publicly available)

Applicants

Not publicly disclosed; estimated 50-200 applications for high school program annually based on company size

Winners / Selected

Estimated 5-15 high school interns selected annually (varies by department and hiring needs)

• Research Baxter thoroughly—know their major product lines (IV therapies, renal care, medication management, clinical nutrition) and recent company news before applying and interviewing
• Emphasize any STEM projects you've completed: science fair projects, robotics, coding, chemistry experiments, or medical/biotech research
• Highlight leadership in STEM clubs (Science Olympiad, STEM club president, etc.) or volunteer work in healthcare settings
• Tailor your essay to explain specifically why you want to work in healthcare and how Baxter's mission resonates with you
• In your resume, quantify achievements: 'Ranked top 10% in AP Biology' vs. 'Got a good grade in AP Biology'
• Practice explaining technical concepts in simple, clear language—shows understanding and communication ability
• Prepare to discuss what you want to learn from the internship and how it fits your long-term career goals
• In interviews, ask thoughtful questions about their R&D process, product development, or how they innovate
• Mention any relevant summer courses, online STEM certifications, or self-directed learning projects
• Network if possible—if you know anyone at Baxter, an employee referral can significantly boost application visibility
• Submit early to show eagerness; avoid submitting on deadline day
• If given the opportunity, request informational interview with current Baxter employees to learn more and make genuine connections

How to Prepare

• Strengthen STEM grades: Focus on AP/Honors science and math courses; aim for A's and B's in these subjects
• Get involved in STEM activities: Join Science Olympiad, robotics club, Science Bowl, coding club, or math competitions
• Complete independent projects: Build something, design an experiment, code an app—anything showing initiative
• Volunteer in healthcare: Shadow a doctor, volunteer at hospital, work at urgent care clinic, or assist in dental office
• Learn about Baxter: Read company website, annual reports, watch company videos, understand their products
• Study current healthcare trends: Read about medical device innovation, precision medicine, gene therapy—show awareness of field
• Develop communication skills: Join debate team, presentation club, or public speaking group
• Prepare for technical interview: Review basic biology, chemistry, physics concepts you'll discuss
• Craft your narrative: Develop a clear story about why healthcare matters to you and what you want to achieve
• Mock interview practice: Have teacher or mentor conduct practice interviews with behavioral questions

Resources

• Baxter website (baxter.com) for company information and mission
• jobs.baxter.com for application portal and job descriptions
• Khan Academy—free STEM courses to strengthen foundational knowledge
• YouTube channels: Kurzgesagt (medical science), Crash Course Biology/Chemistry
• TED Talks on healthcare innovation and medical devices
• Science Olympiad official website for competition participation
• Local hospital volunteer coordinator for healthcare exposure
• LinkedIn—follow Baxter employees and learn about their career paths
• Glassdoor Baxter internship reviews for insights from past interns
• Your high school science teacher for mentorship and guidance
• College prep books on internship applications and essays
• Google Scholar for healthcare/medical device research papers to understand industry depth

Time Needed

6-12 months of consistent preparation recommended; students should ideally start junior year to build strong STEM record and gain relevant experiences; final application prep (essay, resume refinement, interview practice) requires 4-6 weeks before deadline

Successful applicants typically include: honor roll/AP students (GPA 3.5+) with strong science/math grades; students active in STEM clubs or competitions; participants in summer STEM programs or science olympiad; those with demonstrated medical/healthcare interest through volunteering or family background; students showing genuine curiosity about how things work; leaders in their schools or communities; students with thoughtful articulation of career goals in healthcare; those who've completed STEM projects beyond standard coursework (coding apps, engineering designs, etc.). Winners tend to be juniors or seniors seeking to confirm healthcare career interest, or motivated sophomores with exceptional credentials.

High school STEM internships at Fortune 500 companies like Baxter are viewed very favorably by college admissions officers. Admissions benefits include: demonstrates genuine commitment to STEM and healthcare fields beyond classroom; shows initiative and competitiveness (accepted to selective internship program); provides concrete evidence of work ethic and professionalism; helps differentiate applications from peers; particularly valuable for engineering, pre-med, biomedical sciences, or healthcare-focused college programs; strengthens narrative for STEM-focused students applying to competitive colleges; internship supervisor can write compelling recommendation letter; gives student substantive experience to discuss in college essays and interviews; on resume, Baxter name recognition carries weight at top universities. This internship is a significant plus factor, not a make-or-break element, but notably strengthens applications for STEM fields.

• Congressional App Challenge — Tier 3, competition
• ARML (American Regions Mathematics League) — Tier 3, competition
• AMC (American Mathematics Competitions) — Tier 3, competition
• National Science Bowl — Tier 3, competition
• Science Olympiad — Tier 3, competition