Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan-Kettering Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program

This program is a summer program for underrepresented minority and disadvantaged college students who wish to pursue the combined MD-PhD degree.

Every year, 15 students embark on a 10 week intensive journey of learning about the challenging and gratifying road of becoming a physician-scientist. Over the summer, students will:

• Work independently on a research project at Weill Cornell Medical College, The Rockefeller University, or Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, all located across the street from each other on the Upper East Side of New York City
• Present and participate in weekly journal clubs
• Participate in a hands-on tour of the Gross Anatomy Lab
• Sit for a Mock MCAT exam
• Partake in a Lab Techniques Workshop and Clinical Skills Workshop
• Participate in Career Development Workshops (Presentation and Interview Skills)
• Scrub into surgeries at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital
• Give an oral, written and poster presentation of your research in front of your family, friends, and colleagues
• Have an ongoing mentorship by your "Big Sib" (a current MD-PhD student) as well as weekly meetings with the program's leadership

The Gateways to the Laboratory Program is highlighted by the NIH as one of the top ten summer programs for underrepresented and disadvantaged students.

Compensation

Realizing that this takes away from your summer vacation, students receive a stipend of $4,300 and are reimbursed for their travel expenses. In addition, one family member is flown out to NYC for the final presentations and accommodated at a high-end hotel in New York City.

Apply

Over 100 applicants compete for the 15 coveted positions in each Gateways class. Applicants should have a strong and readily apparent communicable desire to pursue the combined MD-PhD degree. This is NOT an appropriate summer program for students who wish to eventually pursue a MD or MPH degree. Previous research experience is encouraged, but not required. Applicants should submit a competed application (including a personal statement), two strong letters of recommendation from faculty members who can attest to your research experience, a copy of your SAT scores, and proof of citizenship. Completion of a college-level calculus class is strongly encouraged. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is strongly suggested.

Since the inception of the Gateways to the Laboratory Program, the typical Gateways applicant had an average college GPA (at the time of submitting an application) of 3.7, is self-motivated, disciplined, and driven. They have a desire to investigate the unknown and bring their research from the "bench to the bedside." These are the students who always go the extra mile. They are the next generation of physician-scientists who will become leaders in biomedical research.

The Gateways to the Laboratory Program is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are members of underrepresented minority or disadvantaged backgrounds.

Questions / contact

• Email: mdphd@med.cornell.edu
• Phone: (616) (212) 746-6023