High School Summer Internships

One of SEP’s longest-running programs is the High School Summer Internship Program in which high school students gain authentic research experience and sustained support with the college application process. While the application process for this program is rigorous, grades and test scores are not used as gatekeepers. Instead, primary importance is placed on whether this program will make a significant difference in the lives of the high school students.

The majority of high school interns do not have family members with college degrees; additionally, many of the interns are immigrants or the children of immigrants. Yet, nearly all UCSF high school interns go on to college. For the 2001 cohort, all have matriculated at a college:

53% at a UC,
21% at a community college,
16% at a private university, and
10% at a California State University.

In comparison, national data for students with similar backgrounds show that only 53% would be expected to attend college.

"It [being mentor] is a good teaching experience for my graduate students and postdocs.” – UCSF Principal Investigator

"We liked one of our students from the summer so much, we hired her as a lab assistant. –UCSF Mentor

“Before this program I didn’t really think about college. But after working in a lab and meeting adults who went to college, it inspired me to want to get my Bachelor’s degree and work in a lab.” – SFUSD Student