I am an international student, can I apply?
Possibly! You must be currently attending a two or four-year degree program at a university or college in
the US or US-territory. We cannot sponsor a visa, so you must already be enrolled in sponsored by your
host institution throughout the entire duration of the summer program.
I am at a two-year community college, soon to be a transfer student, can I apply?
Yes! Although, it would be expected that you are transferring into a four-year program in the fall of 2025.
I don’t live in Missouri, do I need to cover travel expenses to Saint Louis?
No, we will cover the expense of one round trip flight to/from Saint Louis, MO.
I don’t really know what ‘doing research’ means?
Then this program might be for you! One of our goals is to help students with limited opportunities to
engage in academic research to get that experience at a world-class scientific institution in a supportive
environment to see if they think scientific research might be of interest to them after college.
Are there specific courses you expect students to have taken?
No, but we will use your unofficial transcript to ensure your well-matched in terms of the project or lab
you end up pursuing.
Does it matter where I am currently a student?
No. We require you to be enrolled in a tertiary education institution located within the US or US territory,
be that a four-year college or two-year community college, but the perceived prestige of your current
institution and its geographical location will not be used in selection.
How will applicants be selected?
Selection will be based on identifying students where we feel that the program could be most impactful to
a student’s career. Therefore, selected students do not necessarily have the most experience, the most
rigorous course load, or come from the most prestigious schools. Instead, we want to identify students
where this experience could be transformative in their academic trajectory. In addition, GPA will not be a
major determinant of selection.
Where will the research take place?
All research experiences will take place in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Where will I stay during the research experience?
All students will live in furnished dorms at Washington University in St. Louis, just a short Metrolink ride
from the medical school, with free public transit provided. Each student will have a private bedroom,
shared bathroom, and kitchen access. The program offers a $6,000 stipend, which can be used for
discretionary meals both on and off-campus.
How many students do you expect to enroll?
We plan to enroll 6 students for the summer.
Who should write my letter of recommendation?
We suggest having a faculty member who can speak on your drive to succeed, your strengths in scientific
areas, or provide a compelling narrative for why this would be a good opportunity for you. Please allow
them 3-4 weeks of notice for a strong letter.
I’m not the strongest in math, but biochemistry & biophysics sounds like a lot of math…?
Yes and no – this depends a lot on where you focus to do research; don’t be put off because these areas
sound hard! You will receive all the support and training you need to succeed in your research program.
Can first-year undergraduate students apply?
We strongly encourage students to have completed their sophomore or junior year of their undergraduate
degree.
I will finish my undergraduate degree by summer 2025, can I apply?
No, unfortunately this opportunity is limited to students who will be currently enrolled in an
undergraduate degree over the summer of 2025.
I want to go to medical school, should I apply?
Possibly – This program is designed to serve students who are planning to apply for graduate school in the
biomedical sciences (broadly), or for students who are interested in learning about academic research to
guide that decision.
How are lab placements made?
Lab placement decisions are guided by the students’ research interests and background.
Do my course/research topic rankings guarantee me placement in certain labs?
Your ranking list is to gauge interest. Not all faculty will be participating in the summer program, and no
lab placement is specifically guaranteed. If accepted to the program, our program faculty will attempt to
place you in a lab that best suits your overall profile.
What is the time commitment?
This is a full-time (40/week) rigorous research experience. Students are unable to take summer classes,
nor work additional jobs during the summer.
Can I come for part of the program?
Unfortunately, no. 8-weeks is a short period of time for research and reducing that further would make
achieving the goals of the program highly unlikely. Students must commit to being in St. Louis between
May 29th and July 27th, 2025.
What if I need accessibility accommodations?
If you require accessibility accommodations during the application process or while participating in the
program, please contact us at bmbsummerprogram@wustl.edu. We are committed to providing the
necessary support to ensure an inclusive and accessible experience for all applicants and participants.
I have never been to Saint Louis, what is there to do during our off time?
There are many activities to do in Saint Louis! Please visit this webpage of Washington University School
of Medicine’s favorite activities in STL. https://sites.wustl.edu/diso2023-24/life-in-st-louis/