PennPREP Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program

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The University of Pennsylvania Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PennPREP) offers a one-to- two-year research experience for students who have completed college and are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in the biomedical sciences. The program provides a significant research experience and preparation for applying to and succeeding in graduate school.

The goal of the program is to increase understanding of the principles and practices of biomedical research.  The core of the program is a long-term research project conducted in the laboratory of a skilled faculty mentor.  PREP scholars will learn to devise hypotheses, plan experiments, analyze results, and consider the impact of their research on their scientific discipline.  Activities in the lab will be supplemented with opportunities designed to prepare PREP scholars for graduate school, such as:

  • Research seminars, retreats, and conferences
  • One academic course per semester
  • Workshops in scientific writing, public speaking, career advising, and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
  • Standardized test preparation courses
  • Application assistance, with a focus on the personal essay and interview skills
  • Social activities with other PREP scholars, program staff, undergraduate interns, graduate students, and laboratory associates
  • PREP scholars also receive a competitive stipend, including health insurance

Application Process

Applications will be accepted between November 1, 2015 and March 1, 2016

Applicants are required to submit:

  • The electronic PREP application form: application
  • An official undergraduate transcript (if still enrolled, a second transcript will be required with final grades and proof of degree)
  • Three letters of recommendation from academic faculty, research advisors, or relevant employers.
  • Statement of purpose. Your statement should include:
    • Personal statement. Your personal statement allows you to discuss your academic and career objectives. Be as specific as you can about the area in which you plan to study and your reasons as to why the PREP program will fulfill your goals. It should be approximately 500 words in length.
    • Research statement. Please provide a description of your research experience(s), including the goals of each project, approaches used, results obtained, and implications of the findings for the project and the field at large. You may choose to describe a single research experience or several experiences. It should be approximately 1000 words in length
  • A list of five or more prospective faculty mentors who are doing research of interest to applicant

Admission will be for one year, with the admission to the second (and final) year dependent on success in the first one. During the second year, scholars must commit to applying to PhD programs in the biomedical sciences.

Dates

Applications will be accepted between November 1, 2015 and March 1, 2016. We will start reviewing applications on or after March 1 and will continue notifications of admission until all slots are filled. The program will begin with orientation activities in the beginning of July.

Eligiblity

Only U.S. citizens or permanent residents may apply. Applicants must have a degree in a biomedically-relevant science from an accredited U.S. college or university and have graduated no more than 36 months prior to the start of the program. Applicants must intend to apply to a graduate program within two years of beginning the PREP program. Individuals who bring diversity to graduate study in the biological or biomedical sciences by reason of their culture, class, race, ethnicity, background, disability, work and life experiences, skills and interests are encouraged to apply for the program. Applications are especially encouraged from students who are Black/African-Americans, Hispanic/Latino/Chicano Americans, Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, and Pacific-Islanders.

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