UCSF CURE Internship Program: A Comprehensive Guide

Embarking on the journey towards a future career is an exhilarating endeavor. For high school students in the vibrant Bay Area, the opportunities are as diverse as the landscapes that surround them. This guide delves into the UCSF CURE Internship Program, a gateway to real-world experiences, mentorship, and the honing of essential skills.

Introduction to UCSF and the CURE Program

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is renowned for its high-quality research and solid reputation in healthcare and biomedical sciences. The Community, Urban, Research, and Education (CURE) Internship Program at UCSF provides a unique opportunity for students intrigued by biomedical research. This program is designed to encourage students from underserved backgrounds to pursue careers in healthcare.

Program Overview

The CURE Internship Program focuses on biomedical research, training students in various types of research, including basic, clinical, behavioral, and population sciences. Interns work closely with UCSF faculty, post-doctorate students, and graduate students, conducting independent research projects. The program also includes field trips and workshops on topics like college preparation, financial literacy, and professional development. Participants may also get the chance to shadow a medical professional. The program concludes with a Research Symposium, where interns present their findings, ensuring a platform for both academic and professional development.

BE-STEM Partnership

In the summer of 2022, BE-STEM outreach leadership partnered with the UCSF CURE Program to offer exceptional high school students additional mentorship and exposure to the variety of scientific work at this institute. All students in the program identify as either Black or Latinx. As a student organization that supports the well-being and success of Black and Brown scientists, BE-STEM welcomed the opportunity to elevate these high school students' summer experiences. This year, BE-STEM additionally collaborated with the BAYS program to organize several joint in-person events for students in both programs.

Personalized Mentorship

This year, BE-STEM selected 11 mentors from the UCSF community to work one-on-one with students outside of their research labs in order to provide more personalized mentorship that focused on the students' individual goals. Students and mentors had total freedom to design short- and long-terms goals. Mentors and mentees reported working on a variety of topics including college and academic choices, scientific careers, mentor personal experiences, presentation feedback, learning new scientific concepts, and chatting about the students' lab experiences.

Read also: Navigating UCSF Graduate Studies

Program Structure and Activities

After the students' first Friday session hosted by the CURE program, BE-STEM hosted a social hour where the high school interns and their mentors could mingle with BE-STEM graduate students. The purpose of this event was to welcome the CURE and BAYS students to UCSF and introduce them to Black students at UCSF. Given the high level of science performed at UCSF, many of the students had not been exposed to some of the advanced scientific concepts they encountered in the lab or while shadowing medical staff. BE-STEM organized two sessions to give students a high-level introduction to some of the fundamental scientific fields such as biochemistry, genetics, physics, ecology, structural biology, and physiology.

Students in the program already participate in a variety of scientific and professional medical work, but some have likely never been exposed to all the basic scientific facilities, equipment, and lab techniques available at UCSF. This summer, BE-STEM once again partnered with the UCSF SRTP to organize a panel discussion on undergraduate experiences as underrepresented scientists. Panelists, which this year also included members of the UCSF PROPEL program, had many insightful comments and advice to the BAYS and CURE interns that they will carry over into their academic journey.

Independent Research Projects

As an intern, you will be partnered with a UCSF lab where you will work on an independent research project under mentorship from faculty, post-docs, and graduate students. At the end of the program, you will present your findings at a symposium. Previous students have worked on topics like “Creating A Cell Line to Study Chromosome Looping” and “Targeting Genetic Drivers for Treatment of HCC.”

Eligibility and Requirements

The CURE internship is open to current 11th graders who are at least 16 years old. Applicants must have completed Biology or Chemistry with a grade of B or better and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. The internship also requires a commitment of 40 hours a week during the entire two months of the program. Students who are first-generation, from underrepresented backgrounds, or from low-income families are strongly encouraged to apply.

Important Dates

Here are some important dates to keep in mind (these are tentative, based on the 2024 program):

Applications open: December 4, 2024
Applications close: March 1, 2025
Program begins: June 10, 2025
Program ends: August 2, 2025

Financial Aspects

Attending high school students are paid for their work during this internship. While the stipend details are undisclosed, the paid stipend ensures you don’t have to bear any financial costs while attending this program.

Prestige and Selectivity

While there is no information available about the program’s acceptance rate, each cohort accepts only 10-11 interns, which makes admission quite selective. UCSF is known for its high-quality research and has a solid reputation in the field of healthcare and biomedical sciences in particular. Combined with the unique hands-on nature of the internship and the fact that it offers a stipend, the CURE internship is a fairly prestigious program that could enhance your academic profile.

Benefits of the CURE Internship

Academic Rigor: The program exposes you to advanced scientific concepts and equipment, enhancing your knowledge and understanding of complex subjects.
Hands-on Experience: Working at a renowned research institution like UCSF provides practical experience in lab techniques and research methodologies.
Independent Project: An independent research project offers tangible proof of your knowledge and skills, which can boost your college applications.
Personalized Mentorship: UCSF mentors provide guidance outside of the research lab as well. You and your mentor can set your own goals for the mentorship, giving you the freedom to decide what area you want help and advice in.
Stipend: The paid stipend ensures you don’t have to bear any financial costs while attending this program.
Prestige: CURE is a fairly prestigious opportunity that displays your caliber and determination to go above and beyond to pursue your interest in medicine.

Potential Drawbacks

Time Commitment: The CURE internship requires you to commit 40 hours per week for two months, like a full-time job. This could be a challenge for students who have other commitments.
Competitive: As a relatively competitive program that only accepts 10-11 students per year, the application process can be challenging and time-consuming with a low chance of success.
Geographical Limitation: The internship takes place entirely in UCSF and is not easily accessible to students who reside outside San Francisco.

Is the CURE Internship Right for You?

UCSF’s CURE internship is a great opportunity for high school students seeking healthcare and research experience. The program exposes interns to university-level academics, complex scientific equipment, advanced research techniques, hands-on lab work, and even field trips to other research institutions. Additionally, you get to work on an independent project and receive personalized mentorship from a UCFS faculty member.

Considerations Before Applying

Interest in Healthcare: This internship is solely focused on healthcare and can only be a good choice if you’re interested in the field.
Geographical Feasibility: Consider whether it is feasible for you to move to San Francisco for two months.

Ideal Candidates

If you are interested in healthcare and live near San Francisco, this internship is the ideal summer program for you. Not only will you leave with enhanced knowledge and skills, but you will also have a mentor relationship that could benefit you in the long term.

Alternative Programs

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. 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.

Other Internship Opportunities in the Bay Area

The Bay Area offers a plethora of internship opportunities for high school students. Here are a few notable programs:

Asian Art Museum's Art Speak Internship: For students fascinated by art and culture, this internship offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into museum operations.
Inspirit AI Scholars Program: This intensive two-week project-based learning experience focuses on computer science and artificial intelligence.
Work-Based Learning Summer Internships at SFUSD: This program provides sophomores and juniors with hands-on experience and professional development in various industry sectors.
Ladder Internships: An exclusive program for high school students interested in working with startups, offering remote flexibility and mentorship.
High School Intern Program at UCSF with the Science and Health Education Partnership: This prestigious opportunity is for students with a keen interest in biomedical science.
Norman Mineta Bay Area Summer Academy, MTC: This program offers a unique window into metropolitan planning for Bay Area high school students.
California Academy of Sciences' Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program: A transformative, multi-year experience for high school students with a passion for STEM.
Neuroscape Summer High School Internship at UCSF: This internship merges science and technology to explore translational neuroscience.
High School Explainers Program at Exploratorium: This program offers a unique paid opportunity for students to become ambassadors of science.
Kaiser Permanente's High School Internship Program: For students fascinated by the healthcare industry, this program provides an immersive experience.
Student Interns at Sandia National Laboratories: This program offers high school students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a cutting-edge research environment.

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