In order to be eligible for the Summer Research Programs at UCSF, students must:
- Be a currently-enrolled undergraduate student. (We cannot accept students who will have earned their bachelor's degree by the end of the spring 2025 quarter.)
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. We cannot accept international students. Applicants with DACA or AB540 status may also be eligible and should contact [email protected] for more information.
- Have a desire to pursue a PhD in one of the disciplines offered by the UCSF Graduate Division in life/health sciences listed in the program description.
- Have completed at least four semesters or six quarters of undergraduate study prior to the beginning of the Summer Program.
- Be able to participate for the entirety of the program and commit to up to forty hours per week of research and programmatic activity.
Preference will be given to students who have:
- at least one year of research experience at your current institution
- a GPA of at least 3.0
- excellent letters of recommendation (at least one should come from your faculty research mentor/supervisor)
- demonstrated a commitment to pursuing a PhD or MD/PhD in the health sciences
Many of UCSF's most successful Summer Research students:
- Are looking for an opportunity to demonstrate that they have desire to conduct graduate level research and a willingness to learn new and challenging techniques and concepts
- Are adaptable and make a demonstrable effort to fully engage in the summer experience and the opportunity to become part of a lab group
- Are timely, communicative, and participate fully in all aspects of the program
- Are team-players
- Come from various backgrounds and draw upon their experiences in participation of the program
We encourage applicants NOT to apply if:
- You are an international student
- You are primarily interested in pursuing an MD or other non-PhD degree
- UCSF does not offer a PhD program in the subject you are interested in pursuing
- You believe you will not be able to navigate all of the different factors that are a part of living in a large, metropolitan city on your own, with minimal supervision
- You are looking for a free summer vacation (We have high expectations of our students! This is a challenging program, which will require your full-time attention and a lot of hard work.)
- You cannot fully engage in programming and research due to distractions such as a cellphone, tablet, or laptop during a seminar or lecture
- Note: If your parent/guardian contacts UCSF about the status of your application, SRTP admissions may interpret this communication as a sign that you may not be prepared to participate in this program.
Commitment to Diversity
The UCSF Graduate Division advocates and works for diversity and equity—in the many senses of the word—and recognizes that the inclusion of students with a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives improves both the practice of science and the educational experience for everyone in our programs. Underrepresented, socioeconomically disadvantaged, first-generation college students, students with disabilities, and students with limited access to research laboratories are encouraged to apply.
