Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, BU students can apply to the program. If you are participating in the Early Medical School Selection Program (EMSSP) at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, please check the EMSSP box on the application. 

No. Unfortunately our funding allows us to offer scholarships only to US citizens and Permanent Residents. However, we recommend that you look at the summer opportunities section of Boston University’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) to find out  about other programs which may not have this funding restriction.

No. Only US citizens and US green card holders can apply.

We may consider applications from students with exceptional circumstances described in their statement of barriers and hardships, first or second year students, community college students, or with a marked progression of improving grades on their transcript. 

Recommendation letters need to be submitted on or before February 1st to starsgms@bu.edu. They should come from research preceptors (if you have previous experience), faculty members, job supervisors or other individuals who know you well and can evaluate your academic potential and/or have supervised your involvement in research and/or work. Recommendations should communicate information about your academic achievements, potential as a researcher, general character, and work ethic.

Please notify your recommender to send the letter with the following subject line: student first name_student last name_recommender first name_recommender last name

We will only consider applications where the 3 letters of recommendation are received on or before February 1st.

Once you have submitted your online application, you will see a screen that states: “Thank you for submitting your application to the Summer Training as Research Scholars (STaRS) Program, sponsored by the Graduate Medical Sciences at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine”.

Your application will be considered complete once we have received the three letters of recommendation. Please, contact your recommenders to ensure that they have sent their letters per our instructions.

Last year we received over 150 applications to the STaRS program. We were able to admit 12 undergraduate students and 2 pre-health students for a total of 14 participants. 

Admission to the STaRS program is based on the applicant’s academic record, recommendations, personal statement, and academic and professional goals especially as they relate to future careers in biomedical research. All applications are reviewed by program staff; top applications are then forwarded on for review by faculty and potential mentors. 

All final decisions are made between March 31st and mid-April.

STaRS Undergraduate Scholar Program tentative dates are June 3, 2024 – August 9, 2024

If you have academic requirements (e.g., exams) to complete after the June start date, we will make arrangements to have the exams proctored on a case-by-case basis. 

STaRS is a 10-week on-site program.  Please, make arrangements to have your final exams done before the program starts. 

The program will cover round-trip travel to Boston, housing in BU dorms, and two summer courses (1 credit each). In addition, scholars will receive a stipend for their other expenses (food, laundry, social activities, etc.). 

You will book your travel via a Travel Agency that works with the university.  Look at potential flights for your travel (into Boston and/or out of Boston), but please do not book your travel on your own. You will be responsible for any fees derived from changing flights. 

You will need to tell us the start and end of your trip, approximate distance, and gas you will be using for us to make the appropriate refund.  

We do not recommend a car. Boston is a “walkable” city and has an excellent public transportation system.

Participants are provided with Boston University housing in an apartment-style double room for the duration of the program. These apartments house two students, include a living (common) room, kitchenette and bathroom. We do not have housing for married students or any other couple arrangements.

Limited units with AC are going to be provided, with priority to students with medical justification.  

All rooms are apartment style with access to a kitchen and refrigerator. Kitchen utensils are not provided.  

The STaRS program does not provide a meal plan to students. Participants have the option to purchase a university meal plan (note that the summer housing includes kitchenette facilities). All rates for meal plans will be included in the housing contract that students sign prior to entering the program.

You can choose the scholar you want to be placed with, but please disclose this information as soon as possible.  

You will need to write an email to lwolf@bu.edu (cc starsgms@bu.edu) in the department of Disability and Access Services with a detailed explanation of your accommodations. 

We do our best to match you with a faculty mentor whose research interests are similar to yours.  Please, make sure that you select the options that apply to you in the application.  If admitted, you will be notified of your faculty mentor in the weeks prior to the start of the program. We make every effort to arrange the best possible placement.

No. The primary focus of the STaRS program is research and skill enhancement for successful entrance and completion of a PhD or an MD/PhD program in the biomedical sciences.

No. STaRS is an intensive program, and scholars will spend their summer doing research in their teams, attending program activities and completing tasks. 

Students will have the opportunity to present their research at an oral STaRS symposium and at a poster symposium hosted by Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) during the last week of the summer program.  

The symposia showcase scholars’ accomplishments and professional development and will be attended by mentors, research teammates, faculty of GMS and campus schools, and families and friends of the scholars. 

Please visit the summer opportunities page at the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) site for more information about other STEM programs at BU. 

Please visit the summer opportunities page at the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) site for more information about similar programs.

We welcome any additional questions that you might have regarding the STaRS program. Please email us at starsgms@bu.edu.