Applications for the 2010 year will be accepted starting December 1st. Please stop back to apply!

Who is the program for?

The SSP is aimed at college undergraduates between their junior and senior years. However, we also accept exceptional students in earlier years and beginning graduate students. If you think you would benefit from our program, you are encouraged to apply. The program is open to students from the US and from other countries. There are no restrictions on who may apply.

Our experience shows that upper division undergraduates gain the most from the experience. Ten weeks is a short time within which to complete a project, and we find that the following experiences or qualities can be helpful:

1. Hands-on experience with astronomical data and analysis.
2. The ability to work independently.
3. Confidence in one's own limits and knowing when help is needed.
4. A strong background in astronomy, mathematics, and/or physics.

None of these is in itself a requirement, and we welcome students without prior research experience. If this coming summer is your first experience with astronomical research, we hope to make it inspiring and enjoyable. We are looking for bright, motivated individuals who can take full advantage of an unusual opportunity.

How can I apply? What information is needed?

Please go to our on-line application submission web page (the link is at the bottom of this page). Your application will consist of three parts::

1. Basic information (name, contact information, academic background, etc.).
2. An essay of 500 to 1,000 words.
3. One or two letters of recommendation.

All of this information should be submitted on-line, including the letters, which should be submitted separately by the individuals who write them. The link to the application form is at the bottom of this page.

When is the application submission deadline?

For the summer 2009 program, the application deadline is February 28, 2009. All materials must be received at STScI on or before that date. It is the responsibility of applicants to ensure all materials have been provided.

What happens after I apply? How are interns chosen?

Once we receive all the required materials, we will send an e-mail to let you know. The selection process takes about three weeks and involves an assessment of the applicants and a matching of the skills and interests of candidates to the available projects and supervisors.

How can I check on my application's status?

Please be patient. We know that you may be anxious to find out how matters are progressing, but it takes some time to go through the selection process. Inquiries may be directed to summerintern@stsci.edu.

What happens if I'm accepted?

First, you've been chosen because we want you to come to STScI in 2009, and we hope you will accept. Sometimes accepted students wish to consider other summer internship offers that they may receive, but we will set a time limit on our offer so that positions do not remain unfilled for too long.

If you accept our offer, you will be asked to supply additional information to our Human Resources Department, and they will also provide you will any help you may need in preparing to come here.

What if I'm not accepted?

Each year we receive more than 300 complete applications like yours, and the majority of them are very good. There is simply more demand for the opportunities we offer than we can supply, despite this being a large program. If at all possible, you are encouraged to consider applying again in 2010.

To apply for a Summer Student position:

Applications will be accepted starting December 1st. Please stop back to apply!