How do I contact BioTrain?
Applicants can contact BioTrain by sending an email to biotrain@hudsonalpha.org. Emails will typically be answered within 48 hours.
Who is eligible to apply to BioTrain?
Applicants are welcome from high school sophomores (10th grade) through Masters Degree students. Students in high school should be enrolled as a sophomore (10th grader) or above at the time of application. Only students currently attending school in Alabama or having a permanent residence in Alabama are eligible for a BioTrain internship. If the applicant is under the age of 18 at the beginning of the the internship program, the applicant must provide an Alabama work permit prior to the first day.
When are applications going to be available to fill out?
Online applications will be available at hudsonalpha.org/education/biotrain January 15 – February 15, 2015. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 PM CST on February 15. All application material must be submitted by this time. This includes 2 letters of recommendation, the personal statement, and online application form. Applications will not be available after this date, and no late applications will be reviewed or considered.
What happens to my application if it missing information?
Incomplete applications will not be considered for the BioTrain program. Please make sure that all application fields have been filled before submitting your online application. Hardcopy applications will not be accepted or considered. Please note that both (2) letters of recommendation also need to be submitted by February 15 in order for your application to be considered complete.
What is the time commitment for BioTrain?
BioTrain officially begins summer internships on June 1, 2015 at 8:00 AM at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama. The program is designed to last until July 31, 2015. Although specific weekly schedules will be arranged separately for each internship opportunity, all interns are expected to attend Biotech Boot Camp during the first week. After this initial week, interns will begin their weekly schedule as set by the intern and opportunity provider. As part of all weekly schedules, interns are expected to attend a weekly professional development meeting every Monday from 11:30-12:30 PM.
What is Biotech Bootcamp?
Biotech Bootcamp is a week-long basic training for new BioTrain interns. Biotech Boot Camp will run Monday, June 1 to Friday, June 5 and Monday, June 8. Biotech Boot Camp is scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM each day and last until 5:00 PM each day. This experience is a requirement for all new BioTrain interns.
Are the BioTrain internships paid?
Most BioTrain internships are paid internships. Pay is based on your educational level. Pay is standardized for all internship opportunities to alleviate competition for intern positions based solely on the pay. The pay scale is as follows:
- High School Student – $10/hour
- Undergraduate Student – $12/hour
- Graduate Student – $14/hour
We have intentionally made these wages as competitive as possible so students would not have to choose between a meaningful educational experience and a part-time job. The Sample to Sequence internship position is an unpaid internship that is available to both high school and undergraduate students.
What should go into a faculty letter of recommendation?
The two (2) faculty letters of recommendation should be from a high school or university faculty member that can speak to your ability to work in the scientific community. Faculty should address the following items in the letter of support:
- How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity?
- What are the strengths of the applicant that give you confidence that he/she will excel in the program?
- How do you see the internship benefiting the applicant both personally and academically?
- Any additional information that might be useful.
When must my letters be submitted?
All letters of recommendation must be submitted and received no later than 5:00 PM CST February 15, 2015. Any letters received after that time and date will not be included in the applicant's application packet and may disqualify an applicant from consideration.
Where do I have my letters of recommendation sent?
Once you have completed your online application, you will be given instructions and a web link to forward to those writing letters of recommendation on your behalf. Those writing the letters will need to upload the files directly online in .pdf, .jpg, .doc, or .rtf format using the instructions provided. Please be sure to send this to those writing letters as soon as possible. Note that letters of recommendation must also be submitted by February 15, 2015 in order for your application to be considered complete.
Is housing available as part of BioTrain?
BioTrain expects to have limited housing available for participants selected from outside of the greater Huntsville area. Housing will be provided at no additional cost to the participant. Participants will be housed at the University of Alabama Huntsville, however transportation to and from HudsonAlpha will not be provided. Although housing is expected to be offered on this limited basis, the availability is subject to change as funding permits.
Can I take summer courses and complete the internship at the same time?
If you plan on taking summer courses, internships that require 30-40 hours per week will be difficult to schedule. If you are interested in a 20 hour per week internship and would like to take summer courses, we have no objection to your doing so. We do request that you schedule your courses so that they do not coincide with either Biotech Boot Camp or with the professional development meetings on Monday from 11:30-12:30 PM. Please be advised that both of these are required activities of the internship, and scheduling conflicts with those events may impact your chances at receiving and/or retaining an internship at HudsonAlpha.
What transcripts do I need for the application?
Transcripts will only be required by those selected for a Summer 2015 BioTrain internship.
High school students need the most recent transcript from the school they are currently attending. If you have not been at the same school during your high school years, you do not need transcripts from all of the schools attended. If you are an undergraduate or graduate student, you will need to provide academic transcripts from any and all institutions of higher education you have attended. This should include your most recent transcript as well as transcripts from all other post high school institutions. You will not be required to submit a high school transcript. For the application process, you may submit unofficial transcripts. You will need official transcripts on file, however, if chosen for a position.
When and how can I expect to hear if I have been chosen for an internship?
All applicants will be notified of status via email or phone on or before March 20, 2015. Inquiries regarding acceptance of individual applications prior to that date will not be entertained. If you need to withdraw your application at any time, please email biotrain@hudsonalpha.org.