High School Summer Internship Program

Grades

Graduating high school seniors (12th grade)

Age

Age 18 or minimum 17 with parental consent (typical for paid internships)

Citizenship

Not explicitly stated on official page; likely requires US citizenship or work authorization

Prerequisites

Interest in biomedical research or clinical practice careers; strong academic standing assumed but not explicitly stated

Steps

1. Visit Cincinnati Children's Hospital education website
2. Locate High School Summer Internship Program application
3. Complete application form (likely online)
4. Submit required materials (see materials_needed)
5. Await notification of acceptance

Materials Needed

• Completed application form
• Resume or CV highlighting academic achievements and STEM interest
• Transcript or proof of academic standing
• Essay or statement of purpose explaining interest in biomedical research/pediatric medicine
• Teacher or counselor recommendation letters (typically 1-2)
• Contact information for references

Timeline

Exact deadline not publicly detailed on fetched page. Typical for summer internships: applications likely due February-April for June-August internship. Students should check cincinnatichildrens.org/education/research/high-school/ for current year deadlines.

Cost

Free to apply; program is paid (compensation amount not specified in available materials)

What Judges Look For

• Genuine interest in biomedical research or pediatric medicine careers
• Academic achievement and strong GPA
• Leadership potential and initiative in STEM activities
• Communication skills and ability to work in team environments
• Demonstrated commitment to serving others (for hospital setting)
• Prior research experience or science club/competition involvement
• For minority-focused track: commitment to diversity in STEM fields

Scoring

Not publicly available; hospital likely uses holistic review process considering academics, essays, and recommendations

Common Mistakes

• Generic essay not specifically addressing why Cincinnati Children's or pediatric research
• Overstating experience or making unsupported claims
• Poor communication in application materials
• Missing or late application materials
• Failing to highlight relevant science coursework or projects
• Not demonstrating understanding of what biomedical research entails

Acceptance Rate

Not publicly disclosed; estimated moderate to selective (likely 20-40% based on competitive hospital internships)

Applicants

Not publicly available; likely 100-300+ applicants annually based on program prominence

Winners / Selected

Exact number not specified; appears to be multiple positions offered, likely 10-25 interns per summer

• Research Cincinnati Children's Hospital and its recent breakthroughs in pediatric research to demonstrate genuine interest
• Highlight any prior laboratory experience, science fair participation, or research projects
• If applying to minority-focused track, authentically discuss your background and commitment to diversifying STEM
• Emphasize curiosity about medicine and research, not just prestige-seeking
• Connect your academic interests (biology, chemistry, health sciences) to specific hospital research areas if possible
• Get strong recommendations from science teachers or mentors who know your work ethic
• Demonstrate maturity and reliability—hospitals need responsible interns who follow protocols
• Start preparing application materials 2-3 months before deadline
• Contact the program directly if application details are unclear
• Apply early to avoid technical issues and show genuine interest
• Tailor each essay to this specific hospital rather than using generic responses

How to Prepare

• Maintain strong grades in science and math courses (especially biology, chemistry, AP Bio/Chem)
• Pursue lab-based experiences: science fair projects, school lab courses, community college classes
• Volunteer at local hospitals, clinics, or research facilities to gain healthcare exposure
• Read recent research articles or medical news to understand current breakthroughs
• Join or start STEM clubs at your school
• Develop written and oral communication skills
• Identify potential recommenders (science teachers, research mentors) early
• Study the hospital's research areas and pediatric specialties
• Practice explaining complex scientific concepts in accessible language
• Build a strong resume highlighting relevant achievements and activities

Resources

• Cincinnati Children's Hospital website (cincinnatichildrens.org) for program details and research focus areas
• Khan Academy and MIT OpenCourseWare for STEM background
• PubMed (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) for recent pediatric research papers
• Science magazines: Scientific American, Nature News, Science News
• Local library resources on biomedical careers and research
• Your school's college/career counselor
• STEM mentorship organizations like SHPE, AISES, or local STEM networks
• YouTube channels: Kurzgesagt, Veritasium for science communication examples

Time Needed

Start preparing 3-4 months before application deadline. Immediate prep (essays, recommendations): 4-6 weeks. Long-term prep (building academic record, gaining experience): ideally ongoing throughout 11th and 12th grade

Typical successful applicants are high-achieving students (3.7+ GPA) with demonstrated STEM engagement through AP/IB science courses, science clubs, research fair participation, or prior volunteer experience in healthcare settings. Many have taken initiative in their communities, such as starting STEM clubs or mentoring younger students. For the minority-focused track, successful applicants often articulate a specific connection between their background and desire to address health disparities or encourage diversity in research fields.

High impact for college admissions, particularly for students pursuing pre-med, biomedical science, or healthcare careers. Admissions officers view paid research internships at respected medical institutions as strong evidence of serious commitment to these fields. This experience demonstrates: (1) Real-world scientific experience beyond classroom, (2) Ability to work in professional medical settings, (3) Maturity and responsibility, (4) Genuine passion for the field. It's particularly valuable for schools like Johns Hopkins, Northwestern (Feinberg), Duke, and other research-focused universities. For minority students, this also shows proactive engagement in STEM equity initiatives, which many colleges prioritize. However, any research experience is stronger than none—don't view this as a make-or-break opportunity, but as an excellent add to a strong application.

• 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