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Writer's pictureStephen Turban

Coriell Institute's Summer Experience for Students—8 Reasons to Apply

If you’re a high schooler working to enhance your candidacy for a college degree in STEM, you should already be considering summer research and internship programs. Not only do these programs expose you to advanced scientific concepts, but they also provide you with valuable real-world exposure to STEM careers. 


Colleges look for applicants who have gone beyond the classroom to engage in hands-on learning. A program like the Coriell Institute's Summer Experience can help you build skills, connect with experts, and stand out in a competitive college admissions process.



What is the Coriell Summer Experience?


The Coriell Institute's Summer Experience is a four-week-long paid internship opportunity for high schoolers to work with scientists in medical research and biobanking systems. The program will introduce you to real-world lab work in a biobank, giving you firsthand experience of what professional research is like and various fields contributing to biobank operations. 


You will learn how to conduct experiments yourself, record and analyze data, and learn practical research skills like DNA extraction, chromosome characterization, and even genetic disorder identification. The program is intended for students with a strong interest in biology, chemistry, and other related fields. By the end of the program, you will have a much deeper understanding of the scientific method and how biomedical research impacts healthcare and society.



How is it structured?


The Coriell Summer Experience runs from July 17 through August 19 at the Coriell Institute’s state-of-the-art research laboratories in Camden, New Jersey. You will first have to choose which area you want to intern in:

  • Production Laboratories: In this area, the focus is on learning and supporting core biobank operations like generating, freezing, and distributing samples. There’s also exposure to techniques like karyotyping and the exploration of pluripotent stem cells. You will be spending six hours a day in Coriell’s Molecular Biology lab, performing DNA extractions and chromosome analysis.

  • Research & Development: As the name dictates, this is the more research-focused half of the program. You will work with Coriell’s lab technicians and scientists to understand the various services provided by their laboratories and the science behind these efforts.


Regardless of which area you choose, the internship involves plenty of hands-on research and experimentation work in Coriell laboratories under the guidance and personalized instruction of their research staff, technicians, and senior scientists. 


To help round out your learning, the program also includes various seminars to help you develop important professional skills like resume-building, interviewing, public speaking, and formal presentation. There are interactive sessions with scientists and researchers to help you understand potential future career paths in biomedical research. The internship ends with a formal presentation of your learning to a gathering of Coriell staff and your peers.



Is it prestigious?


The Coriell Summer Experience offers limited spots each year, making it quite selective. The program is known for attracting top-tier participants with a passion for science. Being part of this program gives you access to a network of accomplished researchers and professionals with whom you’ll be working in close-knit groups for the entirety of the internship. If you want to pursue advanced degrees in STEM fields and careers in medicine, genetics, and biotechnology, this program can help prepare you for that. Overall, we would rate it as quite prestigious and worth applying to if you’re serious about biomedical research.



Who is eligible, and how do you apply?


To apply for the Coriell Summer Experience, you need to:

  • Be at least 17 years old by July 1 of the year you’re applying in

  • Have a strong interest in science (Coriell recommends that you have attended advanced science classes)

  • Be available to participate in all four weeks of the program

  • Be a resident of the United States


While there is no stated GPA requirement, given the nature of the program, entry is quite competitive, and it would help to have strong academics before applying.


The application itself requires filling out an online form and is due by May 15.


It’s important to note that there is no fee to apply or participate in the Coriell Summer Experience! The program is fully funded by the Coriell Institute, making it a highly accessible program.



8 reasons to apply to the Coriell Summer Experience


  1. You will get hands-on experience in an advanced laboratory environmentYou’ll work in a professional lab environment, conducting experiments and learning lab techniques that most high school students don’t get the chance to try.

  2. Mentorship opportunities from leading scientistsYou’ll be guided by experts in genetics and biomedical research, giving you insight into potential career paths and research opportunities.

  3. The small batch size provides exclusive networking opportunitiesWith only a few spots available each year, you’ll have the chance to connect with accomplished peers in the field of biomedical science.

  4. Chance to work on independent research projectsYou won’t just be shadowing scientists—you’ll be conducting your own research and presenting your findings, which is a valuable experience for future college and scholarship applications.

  5. A solid way to boost your college applicationParticipating in such a selective and prestigious program will make your application stand out to admissions officers, especially if you plan to major in a STEM field.

  6. Experience with cutting-edge research methodologies and technologiesThe program teaches advanced research techniques and provides exposure to highly advanced biomedical technology, which is typically only available to college or graduate students.

  7. You’ll be taught critical skills in addition to STEM educationBeyond science, you’ll develop important skills like problem-solving, data analysis, teamwork, and presenting your research to an audience.

  8. It’s a fully funded programThere’s no cost to participate, making it an accessible opportunity for all students who meet the eligibility requirements. You will also be given a stipend, though the amount is not specified. 


One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program


If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.


Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!


Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.



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