How to Apply for a Research Internship

Have you always known what career you’d like to pursue? Or do you feel completely clueless? Do you have too many interests to narrow down? Or does nothing sound appealing — at least not yet. No matter where you are in your career exploration journey, a research internship is a great investment in yourself and in your future.

In addition to bolstering your resume and college applications, research internships teach you valuable skills, such as critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, time management, communication, and organization. Research internships also give you career insights so you can gauge whether or not you’d be interested in pursuing a specific field. 

In this article, we’ll go over all of the logistics of finding and applying to high school research internships. So if you’re wondering how to apply for a research internship​, don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place!

What Is a Research Internship?

Internships aren’t just for seasoned professionals. High schoolers can have meaningful internships, too. And “research” isn’t just limited to STEM internships, either. You can conduct research in any number of fields, including history, art, literature, economics, and more. 

One of the key factors that distinguishes research internships for other internships is that research internships emphasize hands-on learning experiences and mentorship. In other words, a research internship won’t just stick you behind a desk to file paperwork. Instead, a research internship will invest in your personal growth and focus on making the experience a valuable learning opportunity for you. 

So whether you’re interested in pursuing neuroscience internships, political internships, or literary internships, there’s potential to gain practical research experience, regardless of the field. 

Benefits of Research Internships in High School

Developing research skills in high school is a worthwhile endeavor. After all, engaging in research requires creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills, both of which are valuable lifelong skills. Throughout the research process, you’ll learn how to take initiative, examine the reliability of your sources, and organize your research materials. Engaging in researching is also a great way to bring learning outside of the classroom. Not only will participating in research increase your overall sense of confidence, but it will also demonstrate the complexity and interdisciplinary nature of your work. 

Overall, there are lots of benefits of research internships in high school. From gaining college-level learning experiences, to developing critical thinking and data analysis skills, research internships will help you challenge yourself, as well as stand out in college applications. 

How to Find the Right Research Internship

Before you can find the right research internship for you, you’ll need to engage in some self-reflection. What are you passionate about? What are some of your strengths? Are there any careers you’re interested in exploring? Do you have any goals for your internship? 

Remember, the best high school internships aren't necessarily the most prestigious. Rather, the best internships are the ones most suited to your individual needs and interests. 

1. Explore Programs by Topic and Location

As you start exploring potential high school internships, you’ll want to search for science labs, universities, and nonprofits. These organizations often have the most internship opportunities available, so they’re great places to begin your research. Then, once you’ve done some self-reflection and know what topic you’re interested in exploring during your internship, you’ll need to consider logistics like location, schedule, and eligibility requirements. While some internships are local, others may require you to travel and find temporary housing (often on college campuses). And of course, there are plenty of online internships to consider. 

2. Look Into High School-Specific Opportunities

Before you get your heart set on participating in a particular internship program, you’ll need to verify whether the opportunity is actually open to high school students. In some cases, internships are open to high schoolers, but only juniors and seniors, so you’ll want to look at the eligibility requirements carefully, especially if you are a high school freshman or sophomore. 

Perhaps the best approach to finding a high school research internship is to seek out programs that are specifically tailored to high school students, such as those offered through Stanford University, MIT, Brown University, the Research Science Institute, Polygence, and RISE. 

3. Use School Resources or Link to Mentors

Finding a research internship can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry! You don’t have to do it alone. Ask your teachers and high school guidance counselor for help finding opportunities. You can also seek out mentors by emailing professors or lab coordinators at nearby colleges. A thoughtful email expressing your interest in their work and your desire to learn can open doors to informal or formal opportunities. Just remember to be polite and concise in your correspondence. In other words, be respectful of their time!

How to Apply for a Research Internship

While each application may vary, typically, you can expect a written application to include a personal statement, resume, and one or two letters of recommendation. For some internships, you’ll be able to use your personal statement as a cover letter and attach your resume and letters of recommendation to your email. 

Before you get too ahead of yourself, though, you’ll want to start by carefully reviewing the program’s website and application instructions. Take special note of deadlines, required materials, and eligibility criteria. After all, you want all of the important details and deadlines readily accessible so you can stay on track during the application process. 

1. Write a Strong Personal Statement

Your personal statement is your chance to show who you are and what you care about. Be sincere and specific. Avoid generic statements and focus on your unique perspective. In other words, don’t just tell them what you think they want to hear. Instead, focus on what interests you about the internship and how participating could help you reach your larger goals. You’ll also want to describe any relevant experiences — like classes, clubs, academic competitions, or independent projects — and how they’ve prepared you to contribute to the duties outlined in the internship description.

If you’re applying to multiple internships, make sure that you tailor each statement to the particular focus of that program. No one wants to read a generic statement, especially if it’s obvious that you just copied and pasted the essay from another application but changed one or two details. 

2. Prepare a Resume with Academic Achievements

Even if you haven’t had a job before, you can still build a strong resume — one that highlights your academic strengths, extracurricular involvement, and personal projects. Be sure to include honors or AP courses, science fair participation, academic clubs, leadership positions, relevant volunteer work, passion projects, your high school GPA, academic awards, and  anything else that might showcase your dedication and curiosity.

Next, make sure that your resume is clear, concise, and easy to read. Use a standard font and standard resume headings, such as “Education,” “Extracurricular Activities,” “Awards,” etc. Include your contact information (phone number and email) and use bullet points to describe your achievements. You’ll also want to include dates whenever possible. 

3. Secure Recommendations

Choose people who know you well and can speak to your academic ability, work ethic, and passion for learning. Ask them well in advance — at least three weeks before the deadline — and provide any necessary information, such as a link to the internship opportunity to make their job easier. And remember to explain why you're applying for the internship and how it relates to your larger goals. This will help your references include relevant information and insights in their letters of recommendation. 

4. Submit Early and Prepare for Interviews

Applying to high school internships is a great opportunity to work on your organizational and time management skills. Make sure you complete your application materials early so you can proofread them for errors. There is nothing worse than scrambling to meet a deadline — except for missing a deadline! And remember, submitting everything on time is also a great way to communicate responsibility and maturity. 

After you submit your application, you’ll want to start preparing for interviews. It can feel awkward to talk about yourself, which is why practicing is so important. Review common interview questions — such as “tell me about yourself,” “why are you interested in this internship?” and “what is your greatest strength?” — and brainstorm answers. Practice answering these questions by yourself and then have a friend or family member ask you these questions as a mock interview. 

How to Apply for a Research Internship: Extra Tips for Success

Methods of Applying for Research Internships

When applying for a research internship, students typically follow one of two primary methods: applying through structured programs or directly contacting professors for opportunities. Each approach has its advantages, and understanding both can help you navigate the application process more effectively.

1. Apply Through Structured Programs

Many universities and organizations offer dedicated programs specifically for research internships. These programs often streamline the application process, provide support, and offer opportunities for high school students to engage in research. These programs can provide more structure and support, which may be beneficial for students new to research internships. They also offer valuable networking opportunities and connections with leading experts in various fields.

2. Cold-Email Professors for Research Opportunities

Another method to secure a research internship is by reaching out directly to professors in your area of interest. While this approach requires more effort and persistence, it can be an excellent way to gain unique opportunities, especially if you are passionate about a specific research topic.

How to Cold-Email Professors:

• Step 1: Research professors who work in the field you’re interested in. Visit their university website, look at their publications, and find out about their research projects.

• Step 2: Craft a polite and professional email introducing yourself, explaining why you’re interested in their work, and expressing your desire to work with them on a research project.

• Step 3: Include your resume, a brief explanation of your relevant academic experience, and any achievements related to your field of interest.

Take Initiative to Explore Academic Passions

Research internships teach high school students valuable skills, such as critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, time management, organization, communication, data analysis, and more. Not only do these skills prepare students for their future studies, but they also increase confidence and show students how to apply knowledge in real-life scenarios. 

Here at Polygence, we believe in the power of research, mentorship, and following your curiosity. By pairing students with PhD-level research mentors, students receive one-on-one support and guidance as they design and produce an independent research project on a topic of their choosing. Interested in creating your very own passion project? Peruse our database of completed student projects to get an idea of what’s possible! You might also want to check out our college admissions results and student testimonials.