Find out more about applying to the Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program.
Q: Who is eligible for the Gateways to the Laboratory Program?
A: College freshmen and sophomores who are US citizens or permanent residents and are from racial or ethnic backgrounds shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research, individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, and/or individuals with disabilities, as described by the National Institutes of Health (NIH): https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-18-210.html
This summer program is for students who are seriously considering pursuing a career as a physician scientist. This is not an appropriate summer program for those students who know they only wish to attend medical school in the future.
Q: How should I submit my application?
A: The Gateways to the Laboratory Program offers an on-line application through The Leadership Alliance.
Q: Will you accept letters of recommendation that are emailed to you?
A: All letters of recommendation must be submitted through The Leadership Alliance application online.
Q: What is considered proof of citizenship/permanent residency?
A: Only the following documents will be accepted as proof of US citizenship/permanent residency:
- A valid U.S. passport; or
- Certified U.S. birth certificate; or
- Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240); or
- Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization from USCIS.
Please note, a copy of a social security card is not considered proof of citizenship.
Q: How do I choose a Research Field and Area of Interest on my Gateways application?
A: With labs spread accross the Tri-Institutional Campus, Gateways offers a wide variety of research areas.
In the Life Sciences field, we have labs in:
Bacteriology
Behavioral Genetics
Biochemistry
Bioinformatics
Biomedical Imaging
Biophysics
Cancer Research
Cardiovascular Research
Cell Biology
Chemical Biology
Computational Biology
Developmental Genetics
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Gene Expression and Regulation
Genomics
Immunology
Infectious Disease Research
Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Molecular Genetics
Molecular Signaling
Neuroscience and Physiology
Parasitology
Pathobiology
Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences
Stem Cell Biology
Structural Biology
Systems Biology
Virology
And in Physical Sciences, we offer research opportunities in Biophysical Sciences.
Q: I identify as a student with a disability. How do I indicate this on the Gateways application?
A: While the Leadership Alliance application does not explicitly ask for this, if you would like to include information about a disability in your application, it can be incorporated into your Personal Statement when addressing the prompt "How do you understand the Leadership Alliance goal of developing a diverse research workforce?".
Q: From whom should I ask to request my letters of recommendation?
A: If you have research experience, it is expected that one letter will be from your research mentor. Your letters should be written by faculty who can speak to your potential for doing research, your interest in pursuing the dual MD-PhD degree, and your accomplishments.
Q: I am a junior or senior in college. Can I apply to Gateways?
A: No; Gateways to the Laboratory is a program only for those students who are finishing their freshman or sophomore year of college.
If you are looking for other summer opportunities on the Tri-I campus, you can look into: