Applications for 2024 SHE in Oncology are no longer being accepted. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status by MAY 15, 2024.
The Abramson Cancer Center welcomes applications from rising high school juniors and seniors to the Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology program, sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS).
SHE in Oncology is an introduction to cancer biology and the wide range of careers available in cancer research, clinical care, and patient support. This 2-week online program, designed by the ACS for students who identify as female, provides the opportunity to network with peers and faculty from our partner sites hosting their own SHE in Oncology programs: Universities of Texas at Austin, Kentucky, Chicago, and Michigan.
2024 Program Information
Activities
- Talks by national experts on contemporary challenges in cancer-related careers
- Interactive panels with clinicians, laboratory scientists, healthcare professionals and community ambassadors who discuss their cancer-related professions and the pathways taken to achieve them
- Live laboratory instruction with an at-home experiment kit for research on nutrition
- Small group sessions with peers from across Philadelphia schools and Penn graduate student mentors
- Large group sessions with peers and faculty from all 5 participating sites
- Small group collaboration and presentation of 2 projects
Schedule
Friday, July 12: Welcome Event | 10:00am-1:00pm
Students will meet each other and participating Penn faculty in person at the American Cancer Society in Philadelphia and receive their welcome package.
Monday-Friday, July 15-26: SHE in Oncology | 9:30am-1:00pm
Students will meet online on Zoom each day for the two-week program which will include lectures, small group projects, and a hands-on science experiment with fruit flies. Research scientists and clinical staff will speak about their experience working in a cancer-related career.
Monday, July 29: Closing Event | 10:00am-1:00pm
Students will meet in person at the Philadelphia Free Library Culinary Literacy Center to celebrate their success and apply their newfound knowledge in nutrition with an instructional cooking session.
2024 - 2025 School Year
Students will have various opportunities to meet virtually and in person to engage in cancer-related career exploration and network with undergraduates and post-baccalaureate scholars pursuing cancer research at UPenn.
Application
Application Deadline: April 3, 2024
Acceptance is limited to rising juniors and seniors, with priority given to students enrolled in the School District of Philadelphia. We encourage application from those who identify as female and members of other underrepresented groups in the U.S. NIH-supported scientific workforce.
Preference will be given to applicants who will:
- be available to participate in the 2-week program from start to finish, 4 hrs./day
- pledge to engage in online activities and group discussions with their cameras on
- demonstrate their interest in entering a profession in the biomedical sciences, especially cancer/oncology
- proudly represent Philadelphia and generously contribute to group work with peers in Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, and Texas.
A $500 stipend will be awarded to each participant upon successful completion of the full 2-week program.
FAQs
Can I still apply if…
- I am not female? The American Cancer Society has designed this program for high school students who identify as female.
- I do not live in Philadelphia? Yes. However, priority will be given to students who live in Philadelphia.
- I am in 9th grade? No. We accept students who will be juniors or seniors during the 2024-2025 school year.
- I will be graduating from high school this year? No. We accept students who will be juniors or seniors during the 2024-2025 school year.
- I will be on vacation or enrolled in another program during part of SHE? No. Each day of SHE, students will be collaborating in teams to create projects that will be presented to the entire group at the end of each week. An absence for even one day can have a negative impact on teamwork.
- I cannot make it to the in-person events? The Welcome Event and Closing Event are optional, but preference will be given to applicants who are able to attend.
- I cannot commit to the activities throughout the school year? 100% attendance is not mandatory, but preference will be given to students who are interested in being an active member of the learning cohort by attending most if not all the enrichment activities.
Will this program help me get into UPenn?
Admission to SHE does not guarantee admission to another Penn program. However, the SHE experience makes a great addition to any resume.
How are stipends awarded?
The American Cancer Society generously funds SHE in Oncology inclusive of a $500 stipend for each student. The Abramson Cancer Center will issue payment to students upon successful completion of the 2-week program via a prepaid virtual Mastercard.
Program Contact
Please send questions or requests for accommodations in completing the application to:
Rebecca Fairchild, M.Ed.,
Education Coordinator, Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC)
Abramson Cancer Center | UPenn