If you’re a high school student who is interested in data science, chances are you’re looking for programs to add to your portfolio. One program that should definitely be on your radar is the University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute (DSI)’s Summer Lab. This 8-week internship is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience in data science research, benefit from the guidance of mentors that are leaders in their field, and produce tangible research projects!

In this blog, we delve into the structure, the timeline of the program, the eligibility, prestige and discuss pros and cons so you can decide whether you should consider applying to this program. 

What is UChicago's DSI Summer Lab?

Hosted by one of the world’s premier academic institutions, the University of Chicago’s DSI Summer Lab is an 8-week paid research internship, where Chicago high school students are paired with a data science mentor (who is either a faculty of a post-graduate fellow from UChicago), and they have the opportunity to explore data science research methodologies, apply these methodologies to their specific research project and learning how to present their research findings in a conscience and effective way. 

Although the DSI Summer Lab is primarily based on data science, the research conducted through this program intersects with other fields such as computer science, social science, climate and energy policy, public policy, materials science, and biomedical sciences!

The program culminates with a symposium where each student presents their final videos on their research findings in a professional conference style, where they can field questions and share the results and learnings of their final projects. 

Apart from the regular track, students have the opportunity to pursue the social impact track where students work as a part of a team on a data science project with a social cause, such as energy, food and agriculture, human rights and more! These projects are in coordination with organizations who have been awarded grants by the 11th Hour Project (a grant making foundation for nonprofits). In this track, students will also serve as a “centralized hub” for any software and data science requirements from the non-profit. 

Do note that this is a paid research opportunity where you will receive $4,800 upon successful completion of this program!

Is it prestigious?

Although there are no official statistics, the prestige of the DSI Summer Lab stems from its affiliation with the University of Chicago, known globally for its strong emphasis on research and innovation. 

Additionally, this program is also run for both high school students and undergraduates, so gaining admission into this program is a clear signal of your academic caliber and your ability to cope with undergraduate-level research projects. 

What is the structure of the program?

There is no set structure for the program, as your primary focus will solely be on conducting research which can be done in your own timeline within the frame of the program dates. However, here are a few major aspects of the program that you will experience as a DSI Summer Lab Intern: 

1. Conducting Research - This is the primary focus of this internship and you are expected to attend from 9am to 5pm, everyday, most of which will be spent with your mentors working on your research work, whether it be refining and exploring methodologies or learning how to present your final findings.

2. Weekly Speaker Series - This series features esteemed data science researchers who cover topics such as their own paths to pursuing data science, or developing innovative research methods, and challenging innovative and important research questions that can be used to positively impact society. This speaker series is a great opportunity to understand the ins and outs of the industry, and you can always utilize these speaker sessions to develop a connection with esteemed figures in the industry! 

3. Socializing - Although a slightly minor aspect of the program, DSI does organize weekly events such as basketball games, trivia nights, concerts, picnics, mini gold and more! This is a great opportunity to network with your peers who are as passionate about data science as you are, and you can even use these connections to develop your own projects in the future. 

What is the timeline and application process?

Although there is no information as to when the application opens, the deadline is typically in mid-January (based on the 2024 cohort’s deadline). Your application will include a resume, a research keyword/description of interest, personal statement and more. You can find the comprehensive list of requirements here.

Selected students will typically be notified of their acceptance in February or March, and the program dates run from June to August (the 2024 dates run from June 2, 2024 to August 2, 2024). 

Who is eligible to participate in this program?

With regards to high school requirements, this program is open to all high schoolers in the Chicago area. Do note that you will be responsible for commuting as they cannot organize transport for high schoolers and minors. 

Note. Graduating seniors will be considered as high school applicants and therefore must reside in the Chicago area. 

Although DSI has not specified any particular prerequisite, they do mention that familiarity with any one programming language such as Java, C++ or Python and any relevant coursework in statistics, math of computer science is favored. 

How will I be matched with a mentor?

You will be matched with a project based on your written statements, experience and research keywords in your application. Through this, DSI matches you with a mentor and project based on shared interests. 

Examples of past projects include Aarna Raghavapudi who worked on developing ‘Shape-Changing Assistive Goalkeeper Gloves for Training Hand Positions’ and Alice Tidmarsh who conducted research on ‘Understanding Hardware Failure in Deep Learning Networks for Biomedical Applications’. You can find a full list of alumni and their projects here! 

Pros & Cons of the DSI Summer Lab

Pros:

1. Practical Experience: Beyond theoretical knowledge, the program emphasizes hands-on learning through projects that simulate real-world data science tasks. This practical approach solidifies understanding and prepares students for future academic and professional projects in data science.

2. Advanced Research Opportunities: The capstone project allows students to engage deeply with a specific area of interest under the guidance of expert mentors. Moreover, since this program is crafted for undergraduate research, this experience is valuable to any student looking to pursue STEM in higher education, and will signal to admission officers that you can handle the academic rigor of Ivy Leagues. 

3. Networking Opportunities: Students have the chance to interact with a diverse group of individuals, including UChicago faculty, visiting professors, industry professionals, and talented peers. These interactions can lead to mentorships, internships, and other collaborative opportunities.

4. Free of Cost: This program is completely free-of-cost. In fact, you will receive a stipend of $4,800 upon successful completion of the program. Therefore, this program is a great option, where you can pursue an advanced research internship with no burden of cost! 

Cons:

1. Program Intensity: Within the 8-week timeframe, you will not only have to gain an understanding of research methodologies, but also apply your new learnings and produce a fully-fledged research project. This intensity and quick-pace can be overwhelming for some students, particularly those  without prior exposure to similar academic pressures.

2. Competitive Admission: With limited spots available (especially for high school students), the application process is extremely competitive. This could discourage potential applicants who are intimidated by the low acceptance rates or may not feel confident in their credentials.

3. Geographic Limitation: This program is only open for students in the Chicago area, so if you reside outside of Chicago, this program is not an option for you currently.

4. Balancing Commitment: This is a fully fledged research internship, with an expectation that you are there from 9am to 5pm everyday for 8-weeks. This will definitely hinder any other summer opportunities, and you will only be able to commit to this experience. 

Our Review

The University of Chicago’s DSI Summer Lab is an invaluable opportunity for high school students passionate about data science. The program is not only a great opportunity for you to gain practical experience with data science research, but it is also an excellent networking opportunity where you will be under the guidance of some of the top researchers in the field! 

Although this program is only open for Chicago high school students, and is extremely intensive, the benefits of this program (such as producing a fully fledged research project) offsets these limitations. Moreover, this program being free-of-cost is a great opportunity for students whose finances pose a hurdle, as they can also apply. 

If you’re a Chicago high school student looking at data science and STEM as a career option, DSI’s Summer Lab should definitely be on your list of programs to apply for. 

If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI! 

Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!

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