Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) - Should You Apply?

Internships are a great way to gain hands-on work experience in the field of your interest. Especially if you’re in high school, pursuing an internship early can help equip you with essential skills and practical exposure. For instance, your proactiveness and drive are something admissions committees notice when reviewing your college applications, not to mention your readiness and understanding of the field.

Internships can also connect you with professionals who can guide you and help grow your network. Additionally, by the end of the internship, you will have a solid and completed project to add to your resume and college application.

If you are considering a career in healthcare, particularly the neurological sciences, opting for a prestigious and comprehensive internship can help you get closer to your goals. One such internship is the Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS), which we will explore in detail in this blog.

What is the Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)?

The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a summer research internship program for junior and senior high school students interested in a career in the neurological sciences. Students will get the opportunity to spend their summers at one of the top universities for health careers.

JHIBS seeks to provide hands-on mentoring and exposure for an effective pre-college experience. In particular, it aims to offer this opportunity to academically bright and intelligent students from communities underrepresented in this field.

How is the program structured?

The JHIBS offers two tracks for high school students, with students residing and studying in Baltimore City eligible for the 8-week in-person internship and students from other parts of the U.S. eligible for the 5-week virtual internship. Take a look at each track in detail below.

• In-Person Experience: This experience is for high school juniors and seniors studying in Baltimore City public schools. Held at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology on the East Baltimore campus, it is a chance for selected students to complete a research project under the mentorship of faculty, staff, and Johns Hopkins students. You can expect activities like:
  - Clinical rotations with Johns Hopkins neurologists
  - Weekly lectures and seminars
  - Professional development sessions
  - Scientific seminars
  - College prep classes
  - Networking events
  - One-on-one meetings with Johns Hopkins faculty to select mentors
  - Final oral or poster presentation on the research project and its findings and results
  

• Virtual Experience: The virtual experience of the JHIBS takes place over 5 weeks in the summer and is open to high school juniors and seniors across the U.S. Programming includes the following activities:
  
  - Professional development workshops and training sessions
  - Educational presentations and talks from professionals and students
  - Sessions on learning basic laboratory techniques and experiments
  - College prep classes
  - Mentorship training
  - Networking events

Is it prestigious? What’s the acceptance rate?

The JHIBS is a fairly prestigious opportunity. The Johns Hopkins Hospital, where in-person interns will spend most of their time, is a top-ranking hospital and is considered one of the best of its kind, according to the U.S. News and World Report.

Johns Hopkins University and the JHIBS are also highly selective and competitive. The JHIBS only accepts 8 students for its in-person program. Although the virtual experience is open to more students, it is also quite selective and requires a strong application. Past interns have gone on to become neurologists and researchers. You can take a look at some of their past projects here.

Eligibility

Rising high school juniors and seniors with a strong academic background in the field are eligible to apply. Note that the in-person program requires students to be from a Baltimore high school. Virtual program participants must be from high schools in the United States.

The program specifically seeks students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds in neuroscience. These include:
- Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders
- Blacks or African Americans
- American Indians or Alaska Natives
- Hispanics or Latinos
- Individuals with disabilities
- Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds

Application Process

If you are eligible for this internship, make sure you fill out the in-person application form or virtual application form. Include and submit the following in your application:
- Completed essay questions (as asked in the form)
- Basic background information
-Resume with work history, research experience, and interests/hobbies
- Copy of unofficial transcript
- Copy of official transcript sent via guidance counselor to Dr. Asante Kamkwalala at akamkwa1@jhmi.edu
- 2 letters of recommendation

Make sure you submit each of these documents by the March 1 deadline to be considered for the program. Note that if you are not selected for the in-person program, you may be offered a chance to attend the virtual program instead.

You can find more information about the application process and contact details of the relevant faculty/staff here.

Dates and Deadlines

Application Opening Date: December 1 every year
Application Deadline: March 1 every year
In-person Program Dates: 8 weeks in June-August every year (exact dates may vary)
Virtual Program Dates: 5 weeks in July-August every year (exact dates may vary)

Cost and Stipend

There is no cost to participate in this internship. In-person interns will receive an hourly stipend over 8 weeks, although the exact amount is not mentioned. Transportation is covered but housing is not provided.

Virtual interns will receive a $500 scholarship or honorarium once they successfully complete the program.

Pros and Cons of the JHIBS program

Pros:

1. You will get to pursue an independent research project: The JHIBS gives you a splendid opportunity to pursue your own research project. Through this internship, you will be able to formulate a research plan, read all the latest scientific literature, work in labs, execute and test your plan, and analyze the findings of the project. Completing this project will give you an edge in your college applications as it will give you a full and well developed scientific project to highlight in your portfolio.
   

2. You will receive mentorship from professional researchers: Johns Hopkins University (and its hospital) has some of the best researchers, faculty members, doctors, and scientists not only from the United States but also from across the world. If accepted into the program, you will receive regular one-on-one mentorship and guidance from these experts and professionals, allowing you to improve your skills and discover new aspects of your project. Importantly, you will receive plenty of advice about your career and the field so that you know what to expect moving forward.
   

3. You will obtain hands-on clinical experience: If you participate in the in-person program, you will get the full clinical experience by shadowing Johns Hopkins neurologists and seeing them in action. This will give you hands-on exposure, especially since admissions committees often look for shadowing experience from their applicants. You will also get an idea of how doctor-patient interactions work and how clinics and hospitals operate on a regular basis. You may also get a chance to assist neurologists in some tasks.
   

4. You will develop professional development and career-oriented skills: Whether you attend the in-person or virtual experience, you will get the chance to develop your professional and career-oriented skills. Apart from the lab work, seminars, and mentorship to develop your industry-specific skills, you will also be able to attend workshops and training sessions that will allow you to improve your professional skills, such as public speaking, professionalism and confidentiality, ethics, presentations, interacting with patients, and lots more.
   

5. You will build a strong network: Since you will have frequent contact with professionals like researchers and neurologists, you will be able to build a strong professional network that will come in handy if you need career advice. Such professionals will also make for excellent recommenders for your university applications and will give you an edge in the application process as they will be able to speak to your skills and attitude in the field. In addition, contact with other staff members and like-minded peers will help you learn new skills and how to work collaboratively.
   

6. You can access cutting-edge resources: Johns Hopkins University and Hospital are both equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, facilities, and resources that you will be able to access during your in-person internship. By working in labs and clinical settings, you will be able to use these resources and become familiar with them, making it easier for you to utilize them during your university projects or your subsequent career.
   

7. You will receive a stipend: An important bonus of this internship is that it recognizes the hard work you will put into it and pays you for the same. You will receive hourly wages for the in-person internship and a fixed honorarium for the virtual experience, allowing you to cover some expenses on your own or save them for your education.

Cons

1. The program is extremely selective: Despite being extremely useful, this internship program is also highly selective and competitive. The in-person experience only selects up to 8 people annually, making it extremely difficult to get into. The selection process is also highly rigorous, so you will need to work particularly hard on your application despite the low acceptance rate. Make sure you have some good backup options in case you do not make the cut.
   

2. There are location-based restrictions for the in-person program: The in-person internship is only open to students residing and studying in Baltimore. This closes up the opportunity for students across the country to apply to such a prestigious program despite the option of the virtual experience. Moreover, even if you live in Baltimore, you will need to commute to the program on a daily basis or find nearby housing on your own.
   

3. It is a challenging and intensive program: The JHIBS is bound to test your skills and challenge you till the very end, making it an intensive and difficult experience. You will need to attend all days of the program and display commitment in order to complete the program with good results. You will also need to work full-time, deliver presentations, and meet professionals, so make sure you prepare yourself for the internship before it starts.

Our Review - Should You Apply?

The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a competitive and prestigious summer internship opportunity for high school students interested in neurology and neuroscience. If selected, you will get the rare opportunity to work under the direct guidance of professional neurologists, doctors, researchers, and scientists, all while you are still in high school!

While it is tough to get accepted into the JHIBS, we would highly recommend applying to the internship and trying out the process. If you have strong academic qualifications and come from an underrepresented background, you will definitely benefit from this immersive and intensive internship, which will undoubtedly open up multiple avenues for you in terms of college and your career.

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