UFlorida Health's Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship—Is It Worth It?
When it comes to preparing for college, participating in STEM-focused internships can give you a strong advantage. Such internships offer valuable experiences in science at an advanced level, teaching you practical research skills in a modern lab setting. These experiences can help set you apart when applying to competitive universities. In today’s blog post, we cover one such research opportunity—the Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internships at the University of Florida.
What are the Kenan Fellows Internships all about?
The Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internships, hosted by UFlorida Health, are designed to give high school students early exposure to biomedical research and related fields. The program provides full-time, nine-week summer internships at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute laboratories in Jupiter, Florida. It gives you the opportunity to work in a commercial laboratory directly under the supervision of a UF Scripps scientist.
The program targets highly motivated students with a strong interest in science and medicine. It allows you to learn research methodologies, develop problem-solving skills, and gain insights into professional STEM fields. By participating, you can expect to learn not just technical skills but also teamwork and communication, all of which are critical in both research and the health industry.
How are the internships structured?
The Kenan Fellows Summer Internship is held over nine weeks from June 3 to August 2. You will work at the UF Scripps Biomedical Research campus, one of the nation's top biomedical research facilities, giving you access to state-of-the-art labs and resources. You will be paired with a UF Scripps research scientist, contributing to ongoing research projects in areas such as biochemistry, molecular biology, and neuroscience.
On an average day, you will spend time in the lab, attending lectures or seminars, collaborating with your fellow researchers (including current STEM graduates), and receiving one-on-one guidance from your mentor. The first week of the program is an introductory course that introduces techniques and applications that are standard in biomedical research.
Is it prestigious?
The Kenan Fellows Internship is a prestigious program. While eligibility is restricted to Palm Beach or Martin County high school students, acceptance into this program is still highly competitive and requires a 3.0 GPA to apply. This selective nature ensures that you are part of a small group of students who have demonstrated significant academic potential. The opportunity to work with a senior scientist on real research projects is the key advantage. By interacting with UF faculty, researchers, and fellow interns, you can build relationships that may benefit you in your future academic and professional pursuits.
Who is eligible to apply?
To apply for the Kenan Fellows Internship, you must:
Be currently enrolled in a high school in Palm Beach or Martin County
Have a GPA of at least 3.0.
Be 16 years of age or older by the start of the program
Are there any costs or stipends involved?
The program is fully funded, so there are no fees involved. However, you must cover your transportation and living costs if you are not local to the area. Unfortunately, no financial aid for living expenses is provided.
Since you will be working and contributing to real research, you will be paid a stipend of $4,480 for the summer.
Pros and cons to consider
Pros:
Hands-on research experience: You get direct experience in cutting-edge biomedical research, which is rare for high school students.
Excellent mentorship opportunity: Working closely with accomplished scientists gives you guidance and insight that textbooks can't provide.
You receive a stipend: The internship offers a stipend of $4,480, which you can save for future academic costs or opportunities.
Boosts college applications: Having a prestigious internship like this on your resume demonstrates a strong commitment to STEM, making your college application stand out.
Cons:
Limited eligibility: If you’re not studying in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school, you are unfortunately not eligible to apply for the program.
Location-dependent: If you don’t live near the UF Scripps campus, the cost of living and transportation may be a barrier since no financial aid is provided for these expenses.
Time commitment: The program runs for nine weeks, which might conflict with other summer plans or responsibilities, limiting your flexibility.
Our review
The Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship is a prestigious opportunity for Palm Beach-area students interested in a future in STEM research. The program is competitive and requires a time commitment but offers a significant boost to your academic profile and provides valuable research experience. If you're passionate about science and looking to get a head start in biomedical research, this program is definitely 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!
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.