MSTP Summer Scholars
The 2025 Summer Scholars application is open!
The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the University of Rochester is pleased to continue the Summer Scholars Program for Summer 2025. In direct collaboration with Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) and the Office of Medical Student Inclusion and Enrichment Programs (OMSIEP), this is a unique program offered to those undergraduate individuals interested in pursuing combined MD/PhD training.
The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry continually strives to diversify student populations and thus to increase the number of students currently underrepresented in the biomedical and health sciences. The MSTP Summer Scholars program is designed provide research, clinical exposure, and professional development opportunities to students from groups historically underrepresented in biomedical fields, with a potential interest in the combined MD/PhD Program at the University of Rochester.
Program Details
The MSTP Summer Scholars program is uniquely designed for undergraduate students interested in both the MD and PhD degrees in the Biological or Biomedical Sciences at the University of Rochester. The MSTP Summer Scholars participants work in close collaboration with the Graduate Education Summer Scholars, the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship students (SURF), as well as many other research-based programs on our undergraduate and SMD campuses. A small group of trainees are selected from a large, national pool of applicants to participate in this 10-week, hands-on experience. Some of the specific aspects of the program are:
- The MSTP Summer Scholars 10-week program, taking place this year from Monday, June 2nd through Friday, August 8th.
- The 10-week independent research project is under the supervision of a faculty mentor and current MSTP graduate student, with oversight from the Program Director. You can check out Graduate Education's list of potential Program Mentors here. You can also see which mentors current MSTP students are working with here.
- 20-30 hours of clinical shadowing experience with a University of Rochester physician-scientist throughout the 10-week timeframe.
- MCAT preparatory sessions in collaboration with the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF) to help you prepare for the exam.
- Attendance at weekly research seminars with the Graduate Education Summer Scholars Program on a wide range of topics such as ethics, graduate school, career issues and more.
- Opportunity to present final research results in poster form at the Graduate Education Summer Scholars Mini-Symposium, as well as to the entire MSTP community (students, faculty, and mentors) at the MSTP Annual Retreat.
- Stipend of $660.25 per week.
- Campus housing, transportation and social events with the Graduate Education Summer Scholars and Kearns Center, which give students a chance to form relationships, and to explore Rochester and nearby area attractions.
- Invitation to participate in all MSTP functions.
Program Eligibility
- Matriculated college sophomores and juniors from U.S. colleges and universities with strong academic backgrounds.
- US Citizens and permanent residents.
- GPA of at least 3.0.
- Interest in pursuing both a medical degree and graduate research.
- Available to participate for the entire duration of the program, from June 2, 2025 through August 8, 2025.
- Meets one of the following criteria:
- can describe how their educational and socio-cultural experiences or geographic background can enhance the diversity and inclusion mission of the School of Medicine & Dentistry
- can describe their sustained commitment to diversity and inclusion in the academic, professional, or civic realm through their work experience, volunteer engagement, or leadership of student or community organizations in a way that directly contributes to the quality of the intellectual environment of the university;
- hails from a financially disadvantaged background
- is a non-native English speaker
- Is a first-generation four-year college student
- self-discloses in their application a disability defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
Application Process
- Applications are open beginning October 1, 2024, and are completed online through the Graduate Education online application portal.
- Create an account to start a new online application.
- Create a new password.
- Select: 2025 School of Medicine & Dentistry.
- Select: SMD 2025 Summer Scholars to create an application.
- Open: SMD 2025 Summer Scholars.
- Enter the required application information.
- *For the question on the 'Interests and Intentions' page which asks, "Which Summer Scholars program are you applying to?" choose the MD/PhD option.
- Sign and submit the completed application.
- Deadline to submit is February 28, 2025 with priority application review for those submitted before February 1, 2025.
- Two letters of recommendation and a copy of your transcript must be included (unofficial is okay).
- Early applications are encouraged, as applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- It is suggested to express your interest in the MD/PhD combined degree in your personal statement.
Learn More
The MSTP Summer Scholars Program is a collaborative effort, facilitated through many different departments. You can find more information about the program through Graduate Education website:
Contact Us
For information or help with the online application process please contact:
MSTP Administrator, Alysha Taggart
Or, MSTP Administrative Coordinator, Nicole Cupp