What is the P.A.S.S. Program?
P.A.S.S. stands for Pipeline for Aspiring Surgical Scientists. The program offers Honors College students an immersive 10-week experience under the mentorship of faculty in the Department of Surgery at MUSC’s College of Medicine. Interns get to experience the life of a surgical scientist, with opportunities to observe surgical procedures, shadow surgical faculty, participate in laboratory research, contribute to the development of cancer therapies, conduct literature reviews, and more!
What are the Benefits?
Gain real-world experience in laboratory and surgical settings, develop lab and clinical skills, work with faculty mentors, and participate in the type of activities that can bolster an application to MD, MD/PhD, or MD/MS programs.
The Internship Experience
PASS interns spend 10 weeks immersed in laboratory and/or clinical research, all under the mentorship of Department of Surgery faculty members.
The exact experience is tailored based on an intern's career goals and the expertise of their internship mentor. Recent PASS program interns have spent their summer…
- Observing robotic and laparoscopic surgeries in the operating room.
- Shadowing surgical consultations.
- Conducting kidney transplant research.
- Helping to develop gene therapies to improve pancreatic cancer treatments.
- Completing a literature review of adolescent bariatric surgery.
- And more!
Internship Requirements
- Commit to working full-time (40 hours/week) for 10-weeks (exact dates will be determined based on the lab you work with)
- Participate in the Honors Summer Enrichment Program, including pre- and post-summer workshops and cohort activities
Funding
PASS interns are automatically accepted into the Honors Summer Enrichment Program, which will provide them with a stipend for living expenses up to $4500 (participation in the Honors Summer Enrichment Program is required of all PASS interns).
Who Should Apply
This opportunity is ideal for aspiring medical scientists considering a career in academic medicine (particularly those interested in surgical fields). For those thinking about pursuing an MD/PhD or MD/MS, this is a great chance to gain practical experience and bolster your application credentials.
To be considered, applicants must be a current Honors College student currently in good standing.
Application Process
1.) Apply to the PASS Program by Sunday, February 15 at 11:49 p.m. EST.
Applications are to be completed using the PASS Program application portal online. To complete your application you will be asked to…
- Upload an up-to-date professional resume or CV
- Upload a copy of your unofficial transcript
- Write a statement of intent (500 words). Statement should discuss academic and career goals and explain, in specific and persuasive terms, the importance of the knowledge and skill gained from participation in the PASS program to academic and career development. Prior research experience should also be discussed. Note: If the student is intending to enroll in summer courses or be employed, he/she must describe how course work, employment and any other commitments will be balanced with the PASS program expectations. Students are not permitted to enroll in more than one course during the project period.
2.) Applicants who are selected as finalists will be contacted in early March to arrange a formal interview with MUSC Dept. of Surgery faculty. At that time finalists will be asked to submit a formal application to the Honors Summer Enrichment Program.
Questions about the application process? Contact Honors@cofc.edu.
