Eligibility and selection

Admission is competitive, but many different backgrounds and abilities are represented among the students selected.  Applications from minority students are strongly encouraged. 

Who is Eligible?
High School Students: At the time of participation in the program, a high school student must

  • have completed Grade 11 or Grade 12
  • be at least 16 years old
  • be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

College Students: At the time of participation in the program, a college student must

  • be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student; 
  • have at least one semester of undergraduate school remaining before graduation;
  • be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

How the selection process works:
Each mentor reviews the applications pool and selects the applicant(s) he/she wishes to have in his/her laboratory.
Attributes that mentors consider in selecting students include:

• an indication of a deep desire to conduct an independent research project
• academic achievement
• curiosity
• ambition
• aptitude for working independently and within a team,
• research interests that fit a project in the mentor's lab


The Laboratory gives final approval to the mentors' selections.

Notifications of decisions will be mailed in mid-March. Applications from minority students are strongly encouraged.