ASPIRE Internship at Johns Hopkins - 8 Reasons to Apply
The leap from high school to college is a crucial period filled with opportunities to build your academic and professional future. One of the most effective ways to prepare for this transition is by participating in pre-college internships, which allow you to build up your skill set and gain valuable exposure that sets you apart in the competitive college admissions process.
Internships in various fields offer insights and experiences that college admissions officers and recruiters alike use to gauge your commitment to academic excellence and career development. This is particularly true if you are able to secure a prestigious and selective internship, like the ASPIRE Internship at Johns Hopkins. This program not only immerses you in the professional and academic realms of STEM but also provides a substantial advantage in college readiness and future job markets.
What is the ASPIRE Internship?
Hosted at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), the ASPIRE Internship offers high school juniors and seniors a comprehensive 190-hour (6 to 9 weeks) internship in a STEM field of their choice. Under the guidance of APL staff and researchers, you’ll assist with ongoing projects ranging from aerospace engineering to cybersecurity and biological research. The internship can be completed virtually or in person, and you can even extend it into the academic year depending on your project and mentor! It’s a holistic learning experience that lets you contribute to scientific research, gain insight into STEM careers, and hone your own knowledge and skills. Alumni of this internship have seen their research work tested and used by NASA in their orbital flight missions, providing tangible contributions to the aerospace and scientific communities.
How is the ASPIRE Internship structured?
The core of ASPIRE is a summer internship program requiring a minimum of 190 hours of research work over 6 to 9 weeks, from late June to late August. Depending on your project and mentor, you can extend the internship into the academic year — committing to an additional 130 hours of research from September to May. Balancing educational and project commitments with your school responsibilities is entirely your prerogative.
While applying, you’ll need to state your preference for one of various labs depending on your interest. The mentors that get to see and judge your application will be based on this choice, so familiarize yourself with the options:
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Engineering (All)
Information Technology & Cybersecurity
Mathematics & Data Analysis
Physics
Planetary Science
You will also need to opt for one of the following two internship formats:
In-person – You’ll need to complete 90% or more of your internship work at the APL campus in Laurel, Maryland.
Virtual – Except for mandatory onboarding or other specific circumstances, your entire internship will be conducted virtually.
Interns spend up to 40 hours a week on research work during the summer (10 hours during the academic year). You’ll also need to submit a digital poster of your ASPIRE project at the end of the internship, summarizing your learnings, observations, and contributions.
Is it prestigious?
The ASPIRE program is highly competitive, with a stated acceptance rate of 15%-20%, making it one of the most exclusive pre-college internships in the United States. This level of selectivity adds significant prestige to your academic portfolio. You gain advanced, practical knowledge and skills, and your digital poster works as tangible evidence of your research contributions, enhancing college applications and future career prospects. The mentorship and networking opportunities provided by working alongside researchers at one of the foremost physics laboratories in the country further enhance the program’s prestige.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible for ASPIRE, you must:
Be a high school junior or senior at the time of the internship.
Be at least 15 years of age by June 1.
Be a U.S. citizen, as APL is a secure facility.
Have a minimum GPA of 2.8.
Be a permanent resident of the Washington-Baltimore Metro area. This applies even if you apply for a virtual internship!
How does the application process work?
Applications for the summer session open on January 1 and close on February 15 each year. The application process works as follows:
Submit the online application form.
Have your counselor, internship coordinator or principal complete the ASPIRE High School Internship Program School Acknowledgment Form.
Write two 250-word essays on the following prompts: (1) explain why you chose your area(s) of interest and/or why you chose APL, and (2) tell us about a project you are proud of.
Request at least one teacher to provide a recommendation letter after your application is submitted.
Key Dates:
January 1: Application period opens.
February 15: Application period closes.
March 1: Recommendation forms due.
March to April: ASPIRE eligibility confirmed or denied.
April to June: Mentors review applications and interview candidates.
Late June: Mandatory in-person onboarding at APL.
Late August: ASPIRE Student Showcase capstone event.
8 Reasons to Apply to the ASPIRE Internship
Targeted learning opportunities in diverse STEM fields: As an ASPIRE intern, you will engage in projects across disciplines such as engineering, cybersecurity, and planetary science, refining your interests before choosing a college major.
Mentorship by leading experts: You will be paired with and work alongside professional mentors at Johns Hopkins APL, gaining invaluable guidance and insights into real-world scientific research and development. This mentorship provides a deep understanding of professional standards and expectations in STEM careers.
Access to state-of-the-art facilities and methodologies: You’ll have access to some of the most advanced research environments and cutting-edge technologies pivotal in high-tech industries and academia.
Real-world project experience: The hands-on research work at ASPIRE pushes you to participate in actual ongoing research and development tasks. This real-world experience is critical for understanding the challenges and breakthroughs in STEM professions today.
Development of professional skills: Beyond technical skills, the internship focuses on cultivating your teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. This trial-by-fire in impactful STEM research is more substantial than any experience in a traditional high school curriculum
Great for college admissions – Participation in a prestigious and selective program like ASPIRE significantly enhances your college applications. This demonstrates early commitment and achievement which is particularly compelling in competitive STEM fields.
Solid networking and mentorship – The internship provides numerous opportunities to connect with like-minded peers and industry professionals. These connections can provide guidance and can be vital for future internships, research opportunities, and even career offers post-graduation.
Contribution to meaningful scientific work – You will contribute to projects that have real impacts on the scientific community, aiding both your personal and professional growth while serving as tangible proof of your achievement and contribution.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs!
This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.
You can find the application link here
One other option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in STEM, 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!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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