NIH high school summer internship program (HS-SIP) status and fairness
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| Does anyone know or hear anything from the 2020 NIH HS-SIP? My child’s application was completed several weeks ago, but we have not heard anything. I heard people saying that if you do not have connections, your child will not get in. They also say a lot of NIH employees’s kids get in with lower credentials. Is this true? I know a lot of FEDs are here, including NIH. Please share your insights. TIA. |
Anonymous
| Yes I think that seems likely. Internships aren’t fair at all ever and it’s mostly who you know. That’s life. I am a teacher and have observed this in so many ways. Life isn’t fair though so figuring that out sooner is better. |
Anonymous
| There isn't much in the U.S. that is merit based; even things that are merit based aren't fair because some can afford to spend their way to better results. |
Anonymous
| Wow! Isn't that nepotism which is not allowed in the federal government? Surprise to see people think this is ok. |
Anonymous
It may not be OK but it’s the status quo. And as for the grades, they’re easily manipulated, especially on public charters. |
Anonymous
Of course it’s true. Did you really think it’s an open and fair competition? You and your kid should learn how real world works. |
Anonymous
| FWIW I choose interns from the general pool 80% of the time. The other 20% is when someone higher than me has a kid/nephew/friend's kid who wants an internship. |
Anonymous
| I did not even know this existed. I know it is probably too late for my DS. How and where does one apply? |
Anonymous
I heard the same about 25 years ago. I was a top science student in high school, ended up doing a PhD at Harvard and becoming a professor in the field, and I couldn’t get that NIH summer internship. Don’t feel bad. |
Anonymous
| Age requirement is 17 years old. WTF? Should be grade based. |
Anonymous
| Has anyone’s kid participated in this? I just heard about it and applications are closed for this year but would be interested to try next year. |
Anonymous
lol, can't tell if this is satire or not |
Anonymous
| I participated in the internship in 2008. I happened to meet someone who was the PI of a lab randomly and got an interview. The thing is each lab is very specific and they're not typically funded universally ie they have their own grant money etc so I'm not even sure who is actually in charge of triaging applications. I sent my resume directly to the lab PI. |
Anonymous
| I don’t know if that’s still true, but it was definitely true in the 80s and 90s. |
Anonymous
| I'm wondering if this is affected by the CR? I know my agency has cut all non essential stuff like this |