• Who is eligible to apply?

  Individuals who are eligible to apply are:

  • Recent baccalaureate graduates with a degree in a biomedically related science no more than 36 months prior to their selection for participation in the program.
  • U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
  • You are from one of the following racial or ethnic groups: Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
  • Or you have a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities
  • Or you are from a disadvantaged background, defined as those who meet two or more of the following criteria:
  • Were or currently are homeless,
  • Were or currently are in the foster care system,
  • Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years,
  • Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor's degree,
  • Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants,
  • Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as a parent or child, and/or
  • Grew up in one of the following areas: (a) a U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HSRA) Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer, or (b) a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas (qualifying zip codes are included in the file). Only one of the two possibilities in #7 can be used as a criterion for the disadvantaged background definition.

• Why should I choose DISCOVERY PREP?

  Participants in the Discovery PREP Program receive:
  

  • 12 month paid research experience with access to health and other benefits.
  • An intensive research experience in an active and dynamic laboratory.
  • Research mentoring by renowned leaders in their chosen field who are experienced with preparing individuals for Graduate School.
  • Access to state of the art facilities and the ability to perform research in a collaborative and open environment.
  • Practical exposure to two to three laboratories before selecting one to join for the remainder of the year.
  • Access to GRE test preparation services and tutoring opportunities.
  • Exposure to graduate level course work that supplements and reinforces information learned in lab.
  • One-on-One career counseling with support in resume and graduate school application preparation.
  • Access to Peer Mentors that can provide first hand advice on what it takes to succeed as a graduate student today.
  • Professional development workshops focusing on communication and writing as well as goal setting, motivation, and perseverance.
  • Participation in the Discovery PREP journal club and formal training in reading and presenting primary literature.
  • Ample networking opportunities including lab meetings, group journal clubs, presentation of research findings at the annual OSU Wexner Medical Center Research Trainee Day, and support to attend a National Meeting and present research findings.

  The biomedical research environment at OSU is an excellent location to attain the experiences and skills necessary for graduate school. Research within the Medical Center is openly discussed and highly collaborative with over 260 principal investigators performing research in the Biomedical Sciences. The medical campus is well concentrated with most research labs accessible by a short walk or shuttle bus ride. The facilities at OSU are state of the art and many core services are available to expand the expertise available to individual researchers. Collaborations between laboratories are highly encouraged and many research programs cross disciplines to involve multiple investigators across campus. This provides an exceptional environment for training for scientists and affords ample opportunities for networking.

Additional Requirements

• Letters of Recommendation

  We request that three letters of recommendation be included in your application package. Letters of recommendation should be from previous professors, research mentors, or individuals who can comment on the applicant's passion and commitment to research and pursuing a graduate degree in the biomedical sciences. If you have any research experience, we kindly ask that you submit a letter of recommendation from each of your research mentors.
  

   

• Transcripts

  Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended will need to be sent to the DISCOVERY PREP office only if you are accepted into the program.