If you’re a student thinking about pursuing STEM in college and as a career, participating in a STEM-related program can be a great way to both explore your interests and significantly boost your profile when applying to college. These programs offer an opportunity to gain tons of hands-on experience and the chance to deep dive into STEM subjects — by engaging in intensive learning experiences, students demonstrate their commitment to their academic interests and their willingness to go beyond the standard curriculum. This kind of commitment is highly valued by college admissions committees! Additionally, STEM programs often offer opportunities for students to work on advanced projects, collaborate with peers, and network with professionals and experts in the field. One such program is the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Research Scholars program. 

What is the UCSD Research Scholars program? 

The Research Scholars program is a fairly prestigious summer program hosted by the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) designed for highly motivated high school students. The program offers participants the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research under the mentorship of UCSD faculty and researchers. Students will immerse themselves in real-world research projects and courses in fields ranging from bioengineering to design thinking. Some past student projects and papers include ‘Identifying endangered H.cracherodii, the black abalone, through environmental DNA isolation and COX1 DNA barcoding’, ‘Effects of Shell Fragments on the Surface Temperature of Aggregating Anemone’, and ‘Body Mass Index and Ankle Injuries: Does BMI correlate with Ankle Injury Among Athletes?’. You can check out examples of past projects here. 

How is the UCSD Research Scholars program structured?

Research Scholars courses are offered in-person, online, or in a hybrid format. There are 6 tracks students can choose from, each with its own set of available courses. The options include:

1. Bioengineering: This track is for students interested in bioengineering, designed to help students learn all about the field, engage in their own bioengineering research project, and more.

2. Design Lab: Design thinking is a way to identify and solve real-world problems. This program focuses on building skills such as creativity, teamwork, prototyping and testing, so students can reach the full potential of innovation and design. 

3. Life Sciences: This program involves field work, fundamental molecular biology, modern laboratory techniques, statistical applications, and more, designed to help students design and execute their own experiments. Final poster presentations will be attended by local scientists and industry leaders.

4. Marine Science: The marine science program is designed to help students develop problem solving, organization, creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and leadership skills while becoming environmental advocates. Students will gain a foundation in ocean science, design their own project, visit the marine ecosystems of San Diego, and more. 

5. School of Medicine: This program is perfect for students interested in the field of medicine. Students will actively participate in lectures from nationally acclaimed faculty, explore current research in medicine, and more. 

6. Business Research: The business research program is designed to prepare students for a future career in business innovation, entrepreneurship, and management. Students will learn about business, design, venture financing, growth strategy, and more. 

Once you’ve selected your track, you can apply for various courses within that. For instance, in the Bioengineering Program, students can choose the Bioengineering Broad Overview and Techniques course, where they’ll obtain an overview of bioengineering and learn techniques in specialty areas. Or, they might choose the Bioengineering Research Orientation workshop course, where they’ll explore an area of bioengineering in more depth through a guided research team project. 

Each course has different start dates, program lengths, fees, and teaching formats (in-person or remote). For instance, within the Life Sciences program, the summer 2024 course, Introduction to Bioinformatics is an online course, while Deep-Sea Fish Metagenomics is a hybrid course. Within the Marine Science program, Seafood Sustainability: Practices and Perspectives is a fall 2024 course that takes place online, while Advanced Marine Biodiversity: Life on the Edge is a summer 2024 residential course. Make sure you check the details on each program and courses here before you apply! 

Who is eligible to apply, and what’s the application process?

International and domestic high school students in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply for the UCSD’s Research Scholars program. 

Since each program has a different application dates and processes and program requirements, it’s important you check each program page before you apply. While some courses have rolling applications, some have a specific application deadline.

You can find details about the application process for each course and the links to apply here. 

Is the UCSD Research Scholars program prestigious?

The program is known for its engagement with top-notch research, lending it a fairly prestigious reputation. Students will have the privilege of working with expert professors and mentors on cutting-edge research. The opportunity to potentially write your name on a paper co-authored by well-known professionals is a valuable opportunity. Selection into the program is fairly selective. Most of the courses in the program have a limited number of spots. 

Pros & Cons of Applying to the UCSD Research Scholars Program

Pros:

1. Advanced research experience:
The Research Scholars program provides high schoolers with advanced educational opportunities, leveraging the expert researchers and resources at UC San Diego to give students the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research. Students will certainly gain invaluable hands-on experience, deepening their understanding of scientific concepts and methodologies. The skills one will develop, such as data analysis and scientific writing, will prove crucial for future studies and careers in STEM fields.

2. College preparation:
Attending the Research Scholars program will certainly enhance your college application. It demonstrates your commitment to scientific research, your passion for the field, and your ability to handle advanced coursework. Discussing your research with experts and professionals in bioengineering, marine biology, or medicinal fields will be fantastic additions to your application and resume. In addition, students are allowed to request a transcript from UCSD that displays the course(s) they took and their grades. If you do well, this can be another great boost to your college application. 

3. Mentorship: By participating in the UCSD Research Scholars program, you’ll get the opportunity to work closely with UCSD faculty and researchers, some of whom are world-class experts in their field. They will provide personalized guidance and insight into the academic and professional world of research. These are people you can turn to for any questions you have about the field, support for research projects, or recommendations for future internships or career opportunities. Your network will prove incredibly valuable both during and after the program.

Cons

1. Competitive admission: The program is highly selective, so gaining admission could be challenging, competitive, and time-consuming. Spots fill up quickly, so it’ll be important to have your application ready as soon as possible.

2. Attached costs: For students who do not live near UCSD, attending in-person courses may require relocating temporarily, which can be logistically challenging and costly. There is also a tuition cost for each course, which could be a financial burden for some families. Unlike certain research internships, the program does not pay students for their work. Students who are worried about cost but still interested in research might consider a different program.

3. Limited courses: The program’s list of courses is not as long as other programs. It focuses on research in specific fields and seems to lean more towards biological sciences. This might not align with every student’s interests, limiting the appeal for those with different academic or career goals. For students interested in chemistry, mechanical engineering, and other topics not included within UCSD’s programs, it might be better to look elsewhere. 

Final Thoughts

The UCSD Research Scholars is a prestigious program, providing students with advanced research experience and outstanding networking opportunities, while also preparing students for college and beyond. On the flip side, the program is known to be competitive and could prove too costly or limiting for some students. It’s important to consider the pros and cons when deciding whether or not to apply. Overall, we’d say that such a well-known, rewarding, and exciting program is worth considering! 

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 4000 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!

Image Source - UCSD Logo