Rice's PATHS-UP Young Scholars Digital Health Summer Internship Program—Should You Apply?
Summer research programs and internships are a valuable extracurricular option for any high schooler serious about pursuing a STEM degree. These programs can give you a significant advantage when applying to college. Summer internships offer hands-on experience, introduce you to advanced topics, and give you a chance to work closely with experts in the field.
With college admissions being as competitive as they are, admissions officers value students who go beyond standard coursework and show a commitment to learning through research. Joining a program like this also allows you to develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, which will benefit you no matter what career path you choose. Our blog today covers one such learning opportunity—Rice University’s Young Scholars Digital Health Summer Internship Program.
What is the Young Scholars Digital Health Summer Internship Program all about?
The PATHS-UP Young Scholars Digital Health Summer Internship at Rice University is a fully-funded, three-week internship program for high school sophomores and juniors from underserved households in the Houston area, made possible by the PATHS-UP initiative. PATHS-UP stands for Precise Advanced Technologies and Health Systems for Underserved Populations, and this program is designed to provide exposure to advanced topics like digital circuitry, engineering research, computer science, and physics for underserved populations. The program aims to encourage these students to pursue future careers in STEM and the healthcare sector.
Over the course of the program, you’ll be introduced to the science behind cutting-edge digital devices and wearables commonly used in healthcare. You will be mentored by university researchers and graduate students on how to construct your own device. This tinkering and experimentation will provide you with plenty of exposure and experience in modern research techniques, the fundamentals of physics and electronics, as well as soft skills like scientific writing and communication.
How is the program structured?
In 2024, the Young Scholars Digital Health Summer Internship took place in two cohorts. The next batch is likely to be similar. The dates were:
Cohort I: Mon – Thu | June 10 – 27, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cohort II: Mon – Thu | July 8 – 25, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m
The three-week program is highly selective, and you’ll be part of a batch of 12 students working closely with Rice faculty and graduate mentors on digital health projects. The curriculum covers a broad range of topics, from the fundamentals of digital health technologies to the practical aspects of conducting research and developing solutions for healthcare challenges. The program also includes seminars and workshops on topics like STEM career paths and the college admissions process.
You will be working at Rice University’s state-of-the-art research facilities, and since the batch is only 12 students, you’ll benefit from personalized guidance and instruction from the project mentors and assisting graduate students. By the end of the program, you’ll create a digital healthcare device that mirrors commercially available products, providing an opportunity to put your theoretical learnings to the test. The project provides plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your peers, preparing you for teamwork in college or professional research environments.
Is the Young Scholars Digital Health Summer Internship prestigious?
The PATHS-UP Young Scholars Program is selective, admitting only 12 students per year, but it is also a targeted program only for underserved students in the Houston area. Still, its exclusivity can add prestige to your profile and signal to colleges that you are capable of tackling rigorous research challenges. The blended pedagogy that offers both advanced theoretical training as well as hands-on experimentation work makes it a valuable learning experience. Additionally, the networking opportunities provided—both with peers and faculty—are valuable, helping you build connections that could support your future academic and career goals.
Who is eligible, and how do you apply?
Unlike many other summer research programs and internships, Young Scholars is a targeted program with a unique application process. Each eligible school in the Houston area has a Digital Health Young Scholars Summer Program representative who will be able to assist you with the application process. While applications are currently closed, they will open in Spring for the 2025 batch, and results will be announced by the third week of May.
Pros and cons of the program
Pros:
Unique focus on health disparities: The program specifically addresses healthcare challenges faced by underserved populations, giving you a chance to make a meaningful impact in communities through your work.
Strong mentorship: The small batch size provides excellent one-to-one interaction with faculty mentors, providing personalized guidance throughout the program and helping you develop both research skills and professional relationships.
You will get access to top-tier facilities: As a participant, you’ll have access to cutting-edge technology and research tools at Rice University, giving you exposure to professional research environments.
It is a fully funded program: The program is free to attend for underserved students in the Houston area, making it accessible to most families.
Cons:
Entry is competitive: With a limited number of spots available, the application process can be tough, so you’ll need to make sure you apply to other summer opportunities as well.
It’s a 3-week-long commitment: The program demands full-time commitment during the summer, which could limit your availability for other activities.
It’s a targeted program with limited eligibility: Since this is a fully funded program with a specific objective, you can’t apply unless you belong to the target population.
Is it legit?
The PATHS-UP Young Scholars Digital Health Summer Internship Program at Rice University offers valuable exposure to science and engineering in healthcare for underserved families in the Houston area. It’s a great opportunity to build a strong knowledge base in physics, electronics, and engineering research and learn how to apply it in a mentored setting. With its strong mentorship, access to top facilities, and focus on addressing health disparities, the experience gained here can set you apart in the college admissions process.
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 4,000 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.