Undergraduate Student Scholars Program
Are international students allowed to participate?
International students are welcome to apply to our program provided they have a visa that allows them to be paid to work in the United States. All students must be paid a stipend for their work during their summer with USSP. If you have any questions regarding eligibility to work in the United States, please contact your university's Office of International Program's advisor.
May I forgo the stipend and participate in the USSP as a volunteer?
Unfortunately, we are not allowed to accept volunteers into our program. All accepted students must receive stipends.
How much is the stipend?
The stipend varies from year to year; the stipend for 2023 was $5,000, and all students receive the same amount.
May I have the transcript faxed to you?
In order to be considered an official transcript, a transcript must come from the Registrar's Office. Some universities offer an option to directly email transcripts to the Lashay.Copper@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu email address. This will be accepted as an official transcript since it is coming directly from the university. All transcripts sent as PDF files from individual applicants will not be accepted. Other acceptable means of submitting your official transcript is by filling out a form at your Registrar's Office and having them directly mail the transcript to our mailing address or receiving a sealed and signed envelope from the Registrar's Office and mailing it to our address.
I have attended multiple colleges/universities; do I need to send a transcript from each school, or just the one I am currently attending?
We must receive an official transcript from each college and/or university you have attended in addition to the one(s) you are currently attending. If you took college courses as a high school student through a dual-enrollment program, we will need an official transcript from that college, as well.
How will I know when all of my application materials are received?
You will be sent an e-mail once all components of the application are received. Notifications will be sent out one week prior to the deadline to let you know of partial applications. Please realize that in order to be contacted about a partial application, you must have at least submitted an application a week before the deadline in order for us to have an email address to contact you.
When will I hear about an interview?
Notifications about interviews are typically sent out mid/late March through early April. Applications that do not garner acceptances are also sent out during this time period. Depending on the number of applications and the results of the interviews, this time frame may be extended.
If my application is not accepted this year, may I apply again next year?
Absolutely; we encourage all students to re-apply the following year if they were not successful this year.
I participated in the USSP last year and want to participate again this year. Do I have to reapply to the program?
All former USSP students looking to take part in the program for a second year must resubmit a full application before the deadline. We highly recommend you have your former mentor submit a letter expressing their interest in having you work in their lab again this summer.
Would I be able to continue working in my lab after the summer is over?
Sometimes a student will continue to work with their mentor following completion of the USSP, but that is something each student must discuss with his/her mentor individually. Not all labs will have the room or funds available to hire additional personnel.
Can I pick the lab I will work in and/or the project I will work on?
Unfortunately, due to space issues in each laboratory, we cannot allow students to select their lab and/or project. If you have a specific area of interest, you should highlight this in your application, and we will make every effort to address this in your placement. The specific research project will be determined by the student’s mentor.
Does the USSP have set start and end dates, or are the program dates flexible?
The program does have set start and end dates that everyone must follow. The dates for 2024 will be June 3rd - August 9th. In rare cases, we might adjust the dates for an individual student due to extenuating circumstances. If for some reason, you will not be able to start on June 7th, please submit another letter with your application stating the reason you will be unable to attend orientation and your expected date of arrival.
Will the USSP provide housing?
We will assist students in obtaining on-campus housing, but students are responsible for all housing expenses. We are unable to assist with off-campus housing. Please view the following information regarding summer housing. https://residential-services.business-services.upenn.edu/summer-housing
How much does it cost to live on-campus?
Room costs for on-campus housing typically range from approximately $300 - $500 per week. Students in the program can also arrange for off-campus housing on their own.
Do I have to live on-campus?
Students are under no obligation to utilize Penn’s housing facilities.
Are meals included in the program?
Students are responsible for their meals, although a lunch is provided at the weekly seminars.
Will students have access to a gym while at Penn?
Students in the program are eligible to purchase a membership to the David Pottruck Health and Fitness Center which is located at 3701 Walnut Street, on the Penn campus.
Am I allowed to participate in the USSP for more than one year?
Certainly; we have had many students participate in our program for multiple summers.
How many hours a week are students required to spend in the labs?
Students are required to work at least 40 hours each week in their respective labs.