This list of frequently asked questions is intended to be a helpful guide for those interested in applying to participate in the Summer Research Program- RADIANCE Track. If you need additional clarification or have a question not listed here, please contact radiance@wustl.edu.
It depends. The RADIANCE program considers students belonging to historically underrepresented populations in medicine for admission. This also includes persons with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds. To determine if you are eligible for the program, please see this link for more detailed information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-20-031.html
Yes, undergraduate students in the program will receive $4,000, and graduate students will receive $4,392 over the course of the program.
No. Unfortunately, students are required to be actively enrolled in either a 4-year undergraduate program or 2+ year graduate health professions program at the time of the program. Graduating students are not considered actively enrolled, regardless of any planned matriculation in the fall.
No. Students are required to be in St. Louis for the duration of the program. Certain accommodations can be made for admitted students who have extenuating conflicts or circumstances.
Yes. The RADIANCE program provides an on-campus housing option to all RADIANCE students free of charge, in addition to the stipend provided.
Yes. Students are not obligated to use the on-campus housing option if they feel that a separate option will be better suited for their needs. The RADIANCE program will pay up to $2,100 of your portion of rent upon verification of your lease information.
Yes. The RADIANCE program will provide you with a pass for the Metro transportation system. This includes a convenient light rail train that follows a direct line from the on-campus housing option to the medical campus, as well as free passage on any Metro bus.
Yes. The RADIANCE program will pay for your on-campus parking pass for the summer if you are staying in the on-campus housing option. If you already live in St. Louis and will not be using the on-campus housing option, the RADIANCE program will reimburse you for mileage at the federal rate based on the distance from your house to the medical campus. We will also provide you with a limited amount of parking passes for the medical campus
Yes. The RADIANCE program will coordinate your flight to St. Louis at the beginning of the program and from St. Louis at the end of the program. If you plan on driving to and from St. Louis for the program, we will reimburse your travel at the federal mileage rate.
No. The RADIANCE does not cover food or other personal expenses. We also do not provide any meal points or other form of food payment. The RADIANCE program will provide food at lunch seminars and other selected program activities.
No. Unfortunately, we can only consider U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents for the RADIANCE program. Students on F-1, J-1 or other similar non-immigrant visas are not eligible.
Yes. Any student actively enrolled in either a 4-year undergraduate program or a 2+ year graduate health professions program is eligible for the RADIANCE program provided they meet the other criteria. Graduate health professions programs include but are not limited to: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Medicine, Optometry, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Osteopathy, Public Health, Allied Health Professions, Pharmacy, or PhD programs in a health-related field.
No. Unfortunately, only students who are enrolled at U.S. based institutions and meet the other eligibility criteria are considered for the program.
The RADIANCE program does not explicitly prohibit taking a course or working an additional job while you are in the program. However, do note that the time commitment while you are in the RADIANCE program is that of a full-time equivalent position (~40 hours a week). Most will find it difficult to pursue both.
No. The RADIANCE program considers all eligible students regardless of major area of study. As long as there is demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in cardiology or hematology and you meet the other eligibility criteria, you will be considered for the RADIANCE program.
No. The RADIANCE program has a holistic approach to considering applications and does not have a minimum GPA requirement for students. That being said, most successful applicants have competitive GPAs.
No. The RADIANCE program considers applications on a case-by-case basis and does not have a minimum research experience criterion. We evaluate research experience against your academic career when reviewing applications. First year undergraduate students often do not have the ability to engage in meaningful research, and we recognize that. The RADIANCE program strives to be an opportunity to participate in research for students interested in pursuing careers in cardiology and hematology.
It depends. Once admitted and matched with a mentor, the two of you will decide what project or research question you will be pursuing. Mentors may offer opportunities for patient contact or interaction at their discretion. The RADIANCE program will handle additional paperwork once the decision between mentor and student has been reached. Students are not permitted to interact or engage with patients without the requisite authorization and clearance.
It depends. While the RADIANCE program actively encourages continued participation in research and interaction with your mentor after the program is complete, the decision to continue working with your mentor is ultimately between you and your mentor. RADIANCE will provide the funds for your stipend for the duration of the program, but once the program is complete, compensation for any work you do for your mentor will need to be discussed between the two of you.
Yes. The RADIANCE program will actively support your travel and participation in any conference or scientific meeting related to your research conducted in the RADIANCE program, which includes paying for conference registration fees, travel, lodging, and food (up to a certain amount). Students are highly encouraged to present their research at a conference or scientific meeting, though you are not required to be a presenter to receive funds for the conference. Additionally, you may use your conference travel funds up to 10 months after the end of the RADIANCE summer program dates.
No. The RADIANCE program covers many topics other than cardiology and hematology. These include but are not limited to epidemiology, biostatistics, scientific writing and publishing, career advice, infectious diseases, and public and global health. Although we aim to inspire our students to pursue careers in cardiology and hematology, we also aim to prepare them with skills and knowledge that will help them regardless of which field they enter.