Summer Opportunities at Johns Hopkins University in 2023
- Stephen Turban
- Jan 9, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 11, 2024
Founded in 1876, Johns Hopkins is a selective university focused on cutting-edge research across various fields, particularly medicine, engineering, and other science-related fields.
In this blog, we'll cover some of the best summer programs at Johns Hopkins for high school students. While precise acceptance rates may vary from program to program, an ideal profile of any participant usually includes a strong passion for research in STEM, a willingness to learn, and finally, a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
These programs range from pre-college programs to internships. Some have a fee associated with them and some pay you a stipend. Take your pick!
If you want to experience a rigorous pre-college program that's held on campus, Discover Hopkins also offers multiple in-person courses. These courses help you get a taste of college life while participating in university-level academics.
Classes are usually held for 2-4 weeks, 5 days a week, with a schedule that starts at 9:30 am and ends at 4 pm every day. While this schedule is the same for most courses, some of them have different schedules - make sure to check out their descriptions here. You can choose from 1-credit, 2-credit, 3-credit, and 4-credit courses for your in-person Discover Hopkins program.
A few of the courses you can take up at Discover Hopkins are
Anatomy, Physiology, & Disease: Core Systems
Exploring the Universe with Space Telescopes
Introduction to Digital Photography
Gateway Computing: Python
Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I
Linear Algebra
Medical School Intensive
Cost: Varies from course to course
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Homewood Campus
Application Deadline: You are encouraged to sign up for your course as soon as possible, keeping in mind its start date (available here)
Program Dates: Session 1 (June 26-July 7); Session 2 (July 10-July 21); Session 3 (July 24-August 4)
Eligibility: Open to all high-school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
If you would like to gain some experiences from the comfort of your home, then Discover Hopkins also has a virtual option for you! There are over 25 summer courses across different subjects, a few of which we will mention below. As part of this program, you are expected to dedicate anywhere between 2-5 weeks to a course of your choice which will be taught by some of the top faculty at JHU. Discover Hopkins Online also features some great, immersive workshops that you can sign up for if you wish to learn and engage more with a field you are passionate about.
These courses gently introduce you to college-level academics and let you interact with other students similarly passionate about the subject. This program will be budget-friendly since it is virtual.
Here are a few courses offered virtually. For the complete course catalog, click here. You can choose from 1-credit, 2-credit, 3-credit, and 4-credit courses from the online course catalog!
Creative Writing
Differential Equations with Applications
Elements of Micro/Macroeconomics
Calculus I/II/III
Advanced Spanish I/II
Anatomy, Physiology, & Disease
Cost: Tuition Fee varies from course to course
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: You are encouraged to sign up for your course as soon as possible, keeping in mind its start date (available here)
Program Dates: Session 1 (June 26-July 7); Session 2 (July 10-July 21); Session 3 (July 24-August 4)
Eligibility: Open to all high-school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
A program aimed at making the field of neurological sciences more inclusive and representative, the Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program is an 8-week, fully funded summer research program for bright high school students from underrepresented communities.
As part of the program, you are expected to participate in research under the guidance and mentorship of leading researchers in the field and will take part in hands-on projects, discussions, scientific seminars, weekly personal and professional development sessions, and interactions with leading neuroscientists at JHU.
The program is also offered virtually, for students who cannot attend the program on campus. The program is open to 5-6 students and provides them with an hourly stipend, and also covers transportation costs. At the end of the program, you will present your research via an oral or poster presentation. To get an idea of past projects, visit here.
Cost: Free of cost, in-person participants receive an hourly stipend (amount varies), while virtual interns receive a stipend of $500
Location: Virtual/JHU Campus
Application Deadline: March 1, 2023
Program Dates: June 2023 - August 2023 (in-person); July 2023 - August 2023 (Virtual program)
Eligibility:
Juniors and seniors from around the country are eligible to apply to the 5-week, virtual program.
Juniors and seniors residing in Baltimore City and the metro area, who have a strong passion and interest in science and medicine, are from underrepresented groups, and have an academically strong background are eligible for the in-person program.
Are you looking to pursue a career in biophysics? If yes, then the BRBT program offered by Johns Hopkins is a fitting addition to your resume. The program runs for 6 weeks in the summer, and lets you conduct scientific research in the field of biophysics in JHU's state-of-the-art lab, under the guidance of top scholars, doctoral researchers, and faculty in the field.
You will be trained in using lab equipment, conducting an experiment, and preparing and gathering materials for studies in biophysical studies. You will learn how to use microbiology techniques, and DNA and protein engineering, to prepare you for advanced molecular-level research.
Cost: Free of cost, stipend provided
Location: JHU Campus
Application Deadline: February 15, 2023 (based on last year's deadline)
Program Dates: June 26 to August 4, 2023
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors based in Baltimore can apply
A program aimed at supporting students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to learn more about research and careers in biomedicine. Participants of this program are known as SARE Scholars, and as a Scholar, you are exposed to modern scientific research, its methodology, lab skills, analytical and critical thinking skills, and overall, strong exposure to research in STEMM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math, and Medicine).
You are expected to engage in discussion sessions, hands-on activities, and mentorship sessions, as well as turn in assignments that assist with academic improvement over a period of 8 weeks.
Cost: Free of cost, fully funded
Location: JHU Campus
Application Deadline: December 16, 2022
Program Dates: TBA
Eligibility: High-achieving high-school students hailing from underrepresented backgrounds that reside in Baltimore City are eligible to apply.
If you're unsure (or sure!) about a career in STEM/majoring in STEM-related subjects in college, the ASPIRE High School Mentoring Program is a greatly beneficial experience. The program aims to provide a supportive and holistic atmosphere for STEM aspirants, with workshops, problem-solving in groups, mentorship sessions with top faculty, and hands-on projects. The program is completely beginner-friendly and has an acceptance rate between 15%-20%.
Cost: Free of cost
Location: In-person, Johns Hopkins University Campus
Application Deadline: February 15, 2023
Program Dates: The program begins in the last week of June 2023 and goes on for 6-9 weeks.
Eligibility: High-school juniors and seniors residing in the Washington-Baltimore Metro area and a minimum GPA of 2.8
At JHU, apart from the research-based internships, college-level academic programs and mentorship programs that we’ve covered in this blog, you can also apply for the Center Scholars Program, JHU’s STEM Academy, and the Engineering Innovation program!
If you're looking for a real-world internship that can help boost your resume while applying to college, we recommend Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective program equipping students with virtual internship experiences at startups and nonprofits around the world!
The startups range across a variety of industries, and each student can select which field they would most love to deep dive into. This is also a great opportunity for students to explore areas they think they might be interested in, and better understand professional career opportunities in those areas. The startups are based all across the world, with the majority being in the United States, Asia and then Europe and the UK.
The fields include technology, machine learning and AI, finance, environmental science and sustainability, business and marketing, healthcare and medicine, media and journalism and more.
You can explore all the options here on their application form. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship.
In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship - the Ladder Coach serves as a second mentor and a sounding board, guiding you through the internship and helping you navigate the startup environment.
Cost: $1490 (Financial Aid Available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: April 16 and May 14
Program dates: 8 weeks, June to August
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates and gap year students!
Additionally, you can also work on independent research in AI, through Veritas AI's Fellowship Program!
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI a suitable environment to explore their interests.
The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. These programs are designed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni and you can expect a great, fulfilling educational experience. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship.
The AI Fellowship program will have students pursue their own independent AI research project. Students work on their own individual research projects over a period of 12-15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. In the past, students have worked on research papers in the field of AI & medicine, AI & finance, AI & environmental science, AI & education, and more! You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost:
$1,790 for the 10-week AI Scholars program
$4,900 for the 12-15 week AI Fellowship
$4,700 for both
Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Applications for fall cohort have closed September 3, 2023.
Program dates: Various according to the cohort
Program selectivity: Moderately selective
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit past experience with AI concepts or Python.
Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions pertaining to the students background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs!
This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.
You can find the application link here
One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re looking for similar research opportunities in STEM, Lumiere Education’s research opportunities invite some of the brightest minds to conduct research, and develop their critical thinking and analytical skills.
To start your own research journey with 1-1 mentorship from a top PhD, check out the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students that I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, over 2100 students applied. You can find the application form here.
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.
