George Mason University's Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) - Is It Worth It?
An interesting and valuable way to build your STEM knowledge and gain important skills as a high schooler is by pursuing research programs. Apart from enriching your knowledge and practical skills in various scientific fields, these programs can also help distinguish your profile in the competitive college admission process by indicating your ability to work with advanced material and your dedication toward your field of interest.
Today’s blog will focus on the Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University, what it’s all about, and whether or not it’s worth participating in.
What is ASSIP?
The ASSIP is an 8-week full-time internship program that offers high school students a rigorous hands-on research experience with faculty researchers at George Mason University and other collaborating institutions, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and technologies. This program is designed for students passionate about STEM, providing you with the opportunity to conduct real-world research on significant scientific challenges, learn scientific writing, explore career options, and even stand to get your work published in scientific journals or presented at major conferences.
What areas of research are available in ASSIP?
ASSIP offers research opportunities in several areas of scientific focus such as astronomy, proteomics, molecular medicine, chemistry, biochemistry, drug discovery, bioengineering, business/finance, sustainable botany, spatial sciences, environmental science, neuroscience, physics, climate change, STEM education, renewable energy, cybersecurity, data science, women's health issues, game design, robotics, psychology, and more! You can check out the complete list of available research topics and mentors here.
How is ASSIP structured?
ASSIP usually takes place for 8 weeks between June and August in one of three participation formats: fully remote, fully in-person, or a hybrid of both, depending on the project's needs and mentor preferences. The 2024 program ran from June 18 to August 9.
During the program, you will be engaged in hands-on activities using cutting-edge technologies and equipment to address hypothesis-driven questions across various scientific disciplines such as biochemistry, environmental science, neuroscience, and more.
You’ll typically work from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, totaling around 30 hours per week, except for federal holidays. The program starts with an orientation session and culminates in a research symposium where you will present your findings to a quorum of researchers as well as your peers.
Throughout the internship, you will not only develop your research skills but also attend workshops and seminars aimed at enhancing your scientific communication abilities. Many distinguished mentors are working with ASSIP, across a truly massive breadth of research interests. If you have a specific interest in STEM research, chances are high that you can find a mentor who shares that interest and may be willing to hire you as an intern.
Is it prestigious?
ASSIP boasts a rigorous selection process, though its intake is naturally limited by the fact that many of the internships on offer are in-person, and therefore only those who can commute to those locations can apply. Alumni of the program often continue to prestigious careers and further education in STEM fields, with many having their research published in scientific journals or presented at conferences. The program’s networking opportunities and the mentorship from esteemed faculty can be pivotal in shaping your early scientific career.
Who is eligible for ASSIP?
The eligibility criteria are quite straightforward:
Minimum age: 15 years for remote and certain in-person labs, 16 years for wet lab settings.
You should not have completed your university education by the time of the internship.
There are no specific GPA requirements, but a strong academic background in STEM is beneficial.
How does the application process work?
Currently, applications for ASSIP are closed. The application deadline for the 2024 iteration was February 11, so the dates for next year might be similar. When applying, you will have to shortlist three mentors from the prospective list whom you would like to work with. If you’re shortlisted, you will then have interviews with them, and clearing the interview will be the final step to getting selected for the program. The interviews are generally conducted in March. You’ll be notified of mentors who select you as interns by early April and you will be expected to accept offers by mid-April.
Note that the application for ASSIP only involves a non-refundable $25 fee and absolutely no tuition fee! It is completely free of charge, and there are waivers available even for the application fee for those who qualify for financial aid. You do not need to submit a transcript or a letter of recommendation with your application.
Pros and Cons to consider
Pros:
One-to-one mentorship from real scientists and researchers: You’ll be working directly with research faculty, and gain valuable insights and guidance from these leading scientists. Your work will contribute to their research.
Excellent real-life learning opportunities: You’ll be working on real, scientific challenges and using advanced technology and the latest in research techniques to try and solve them.
Career exploration: You’ll get rich, in-depth exposure to the STEM field of your choice and an up-close look at how work is done in it. You’ll also receive professional advice from your mentor, which can be invaluable on its own.
Cons:
Highly competitive: Limited spots make the selection process very competitive.
Intensive commitment: While not strictly a con, the full-time nature of the program requires a significant time commitment during the summer.
Accessibility: The program requires physical presence for some projects, which might not suit all applicants.
Our review - is it worth it?
ASSIP offers research opportunities in varied fields allowing you to gain hands-on experience in a specific field or explore new avenues in STEM. Although the program is competitive and not easily accessible to all the students primarily due to geographical constraints, it’s still a solid research internship opportunity for academically motivated high school students. Overall, ASSIP at George Mason University offers a rich, immersive experience that can significantly boost your research skills as well as academic STEM knowledge. If you are passionate about science and ready for a challenging summer, ASSIP might just be the stepping stone you need for a successful career in STEM.
Bonus - 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 in 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
If you’re looking to gain research experience alongside your internship, 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 would like to participate in a rigorous research program open to high schoolers, you should also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program 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.
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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