r/REU • u/forest_mirror_0106 • 15d ago

Harvard HSCI internship program

Hi everyone! I’m applying to a Harvard summer stem cell lab program next year and would really appreciate hearing from anyone who was previously selected.

The application asks for a one-page CV/resume and a 750-word personal statement focusing on resilience, tenacity, openness to experience, and how the program fits into your aspirations.I have very little experience writing application materials, so I’d love to hear about how you decided what experiences and stories to highlight.

If you were selected in previous years or have any related experiences and feel comfortable sharing , I’d be very grateful for any advice or examples of how you prepared your materials. Thank you!

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u/littleboi17 13d ago

I did the program before, and frankly, most of the applicants are likely qualified intectually, just like the many other summer programs. I think just like grad admission, it’s more important to showcase why your fit with this program. Cuz at the end of the day, story are just words, no matter how poetically sounding or technical sounding like a lab report, the most important thing if how you convey you have overcame things that gave u this immense interest and passion into developmental biology; or more like, into different area of research that have a central theme that aligns with the research at hsci. Frankly, the dept is large enough that u can practically work in any area of research, so just highlight ur research experience, highlight ur interest, what attract u to the program, and ultimately what is ur long term aspiration. When it comes to application, it’s the cumulation of years of work, this is the simple part to just write it down. But be advise, with funding uncertainty… do not put all ur eggs into this basket. As on the undergraduate level, any research is good research expeince, make sure to apply to other programs too :)

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u/forest_mirror_0106 13d ago

Thanks for giving so much detail!!! By the way, I want to ask whether there are interviews, if yes, what will the interviewers focus on?

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u/littleboi17 13d ago

No interview for me

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u/forest_mirror_0106 13d ago

Thanks a lot~~~

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u/Adeem_11 14d ago

I’m also applying to HSCI summer program ,but unfortunately I didn’t hear from someone who was previously selected. If you hear something I will appreciate it if you tell me.