Please keep in mind that research experience is any laboratory experience outside of a high school or college course lab and is required of freshmen.
Letter of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are very important. Choose people that know about your potential in a lab setting and who will be able to articulate your skills and other qualities in the letter. We do not accept letters from coaches, high school teachers, physicians you shadow, faculty in liberal arts courses or politicians. A letter from a Post-doc., who was your direct supervisor, will be accepted only if it is co-signed by a faculty member. Contact your prospective recommenders well in advance and allow them plenty of time to prepare the letter. The letters should be specific and provide examples of your strengths and comment on areas you need to strengthen. Once you click save and submit on your completed application, an email with a link will be generated to your recommenders requesting the submission of a letter for you.
Essays
SMART Program applicants submit an essay describing prior research or, if you have not done research, the areas in which you are interested. Please include the information requested on the application. You may also submit an optional personal statement describing your interest in science and your motivation to pursue a career as a research scientist. Please do not reuse general personal statements from other summer program applications.
These essays provide us with a unique perspective that helps us understand applicants. We suggest that you write several drafts and have a mentor, faculty, career center, and/or lab co-workers critique your essay.
Transcripts
You will be required to upload an unofficial transcript in your application. You must submit an "official" transcript from your undergraduate institution with grades through the current fall term if you are selected to participate in the program. You must request the official transcript to be sent electronically from your school to smart-program@bcm.edu. Electronic transcripts emailed directly from the applicant are considered copies and will not be accepted.