Frequenty Asked Questions

What is the timeline for the 2024 cycle of the program?

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

November 2023 - Applications open
December 2023 - Applications close
January 2024 - Notification of program acceptance
February-May 2024 - Didactics course
June-August 2024 - Internship at OHSU
mid-August 2024 - Poster symposium

When will the didactic course take place for the 2024 cycle?

Every Wednesday, February 7th to May 22nd, 2024 6pm-8pm PT on Webex.

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 are encouraged to apply. We are not accepting applications from students outside of the state of Oregon at this time.

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

No, we only accept students from Oregon.

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 1-5hrs 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. Times can range from late May to early August depending on your supervisor. Most internships will be in-person at OHSU; there are very limited virtual options.

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.

Is the poster symposium mandatory?

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

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.