Frequenty Asked Questions

Can I submit a late application after the EXTENDED DEADLINE of December 8th, 2024 11:59pm?

No. We will not accept any late applications for any reason - NO EXCEPTIONS MADE. We encourage applying the following year and staying updated with other OHSU's K-12 programs.

What is the timeline for the 2025 cycle of the program?

We keep the most updated information on our website. Below is a rough timeline:

September 2nd, 2024 - Applications open
September - November 2024: Information sessions once a month led by our TAs
November 24th, 2024 - Applications close --> EXTENDED DEADLINE: December 8th, 2024 11:59pm
mid-December 2024 - Notification of program acceptance
December 18th, 2024 - Onboarding session & PSI overview session (mandatory)
January 22nd, 2025 - May 28th, 2025 - Didactics course (Wednesdays 6-8pm PT virtually)
- We will not have class during spring break and AP/IB exam weeks
June-August 2025 - Internship at OHSU (minimum of 250 hours expected to be completed)
August 2025 - Poster symposium (virtual and in-person)

When will the didactic course take place for the 2025 cycle?

Every Wednesday, January 22nd to May 28th, 2025, 6pm-8pm PT virtually on Webex. We will not have class during spring break and AP/IB exam weeks.

What are the expectations of students enrolled in this program?

You are expected to attend all of the 2-hour lectures every week, complete assignments in a timely fashion, and be scientifically curious! Only 1 excused absence is allowed with enough anticipation during the entire term and associated make-up work will be assigned. Tardiness is not acceptable. Showing up late or missing classes will result in a dismissal from the program.

Can I attend the course even if I do not live in Portland, OR?

Yes! This course will be held virtually over Webex so students all over Oregon and in the Portland metro-area are encouraged to apply.

I am from out of state (not from Oregon), can I still apply?

Unfortunately, our admissions process is limited to students residing in Oregon and the Portland metro-area. We welcome applications from students within the Portland metropolitan area, extending to select counties in Washington state. We do not accept any applications from those outside of these regions.

I don't have any research experience. Do I still qualify for this course?

Yes! This is an introductory course to research and no previous experience is required or expected.

For the didactic course, what is the expected time per week for homework? What are the main outputs of the course?

It depends on the student and the assignment at task. In general, it ranges from 1-5 hours per week. The main outputs include learning the fundamentals of medical research, reading and analyzing scientific literature, creating and delivering a journal club presentation, and writing a research proposal.

For the application, how many teacher recommendations do I need? And which teacher should provide this?

You only need ONE teacher recommendation and it can be from any teacher or counselor.

Do I need to submit transcripts to apply to this program?

No.

I am a freshman in high school, can I still apply?

No, you may apply the following year(s) as we only accept sophomore, junior, and senior high school students.

I already did the program before, can I apply again?

No, you may only participate in the program once. However, there are other opportunities to network and stay connected with PSI and our affiliations such as OHSU. We encourage you to stay updated with OHSU's K-12 programs.

I have other commitments during the Wednesday 6-8pm lecture time. Can I still apply?

The expectation is that all students attend all of the lectures for their entirety. If there are other commitments, perhaps consider applying in a future cycle or rescheduling these commitments to another time. Showing up late or missing classes will result in a dismissal from the program.

I am not interested in doing a summer internship, am I still eligible?

Yes, you are still able to take the didactic portion of the program as the summer internship is optional.

I am interested in the summer internship, what are the expectations?

It is a 6-10 week internship where a minimum of 250 hours is expected. Students cannot exceed over 40 hours per week due to child labor laws. Times can range from late May to late August depending on your supervisor. Most internships will be in-person at OHSU; there are very limited virtual options.

What if I am 15-years-old or younger during the summer internship time?

PSI students must be at least 16 years old by the start of the summer internship (typically June) to participate in any in-person experiences, as per OHSU policy. If you are 15 or younger, unfortunately, you will not be eligible for the in-person summer internship. There are a few virtual options available on a case-by-case basis, but they won't provide the same level of hands-on experience as being on-site.

I have another summer internship lined up, can I do both at the same time?

No. The PSI summer internship is a rigorous experience, and your entire interest and time would be needed for that summer.

Do I get to pick which lab I work in during the summer internship?

We do our best to match students in labs of their general scientific interests, but this is not always guaranteed. If you have a specific OHSU faculty you would like to work with, please let us know early on once you are accepted into the program.

Am I guaranteed a summer internship?

We are committed to helping as many students as possible secure a research placement. However, a summer internship is not guaranteed. Mentor availability varies from year to year and depends on factors beyond our control, including funding and lab capacity. While we make every effort to match students with mentors, placements ultimately depend on how many labs are able to host students each summer.

Is the poster symposium mandatory?

Yes, it is mandatory for all PSI students irrespective of the summer internship participation.

If I did not do a summer internship, what would I present for the poster symposium?

You can present research you may have done at another internship or perhaps a literature review on a topic you are interested in.

I am interested in the PSI program and am applying, but I'm unsure about the question asking me to choose a research faculty member from OHSU for the summer internship. Where can I find information on potential mentors to request?

Since there isn’t a comprehensive list of all OHSU faculty, this question is designed to challenge applicants to actively explore OHSU’s research community based on their research interests. Here are some tips to assist you:

Search by Research Interest: Begin by searching for OHSU faculty in your specific field of interest. For instance, if you're interested in biomedical engineering, search for “OHSU biomedical engineering faculty.” This approach will lead you to web pages featuring researchers in that area, along with details on their work and lab members.

Explore Lab Websites: When you find a lab, explore its website to get to know the members, their research focuses, and recent publications. This can give you a deeper understanding of whether the lab aligns with your interests and goals for the summer internship.

Attend PSI Info Sessions: We host monthly information sessions to help guide applicants through the process. These sessions include tips on identifying research mentors who align with your interests. Find these on the Important Dates page.

Are there scholarships available for the summer internship?

Yes, limited financial-need-based scholarships are available to support students during their summer internships. Scholarship availability and amounts vary each year, depending on funding.