SEARCH Summer Scholars
Founded in 2007 by The Heart Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, S.E.A.R.C.H. (Summer Education and Research in Clinical Healthcare Internship) is for undergraduate students interested in a career in scientific research, medicine and allied health. Based on your application and areas of interest, you will be placed in one of three programs -- Cardiology Care, Primary Care or Research. Following the program, you will be required to give a formal presentation regarding your experience.
Program Dates
June through July
The program offers:
- Stipend – Six week stipend. Applicable taxes will apply.
- Community Support – Establish connections within the healthcare profession and Columbus community.
- Mentorship & Career Guidance – Each scholar is assigned a SEARCH Advisor. Through individual counseling and personal development workshops, scholars will be able to better prepare themselves to successfully reach their goals.
- Shadowing Opportunities – Scholars will build cultural competency and increase career awareness by having a variety of shadowing opportunities. Scholars will make more realistic self-evaluations of their own motivation and intentions surrounding their career choice.
- Professional Development – Along with your six week experience, you will have the opportunity for ongoing learning via assessments, panel discussions, one-on-one meetings, etc. Support and resources are available to achieve postsecondary academic success leading to professional careers in the healthcare field.
- Housing & Transportation – Nationwide Children’s will provide campus housing for scholars as needed. Campus housing is within walking distance to and from the hospital. Additionally, Nationwide Children’s will pay reasonable round-trip travel costs to the program. Interns will receive a monthly food stipend.
A competitive program; the application process will consist of two rounds of interviews. Candidates are selected based on the merits of their application and their interview techniques.
Applications deadline is February 14, 2025.
Offers will be made by March 14, 2025.
Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to contact applicants who are not extended an offer to interview.
- Currently attending an accredited U.S. university
- Entering junior or senior year of college in the fall of 2025
- Minimum GPA of 3.5
- Must demonstrate interest in medical or graduate school.
- Pass a background check, drug screen and all standard Nationwide Children’s related requirements for employees.
- Must be fully vaccinated
The SEARCH Program is a full-time commitment. S.E.A.R.C.H. participants spend a minimum of 40 hours a week in their internship activities. Most of the internship occurs during the day but there are some mandatory evening programs and mixers.
100% of Scholars ...
- rated their rotation as an excellent educational experience
- found their interaction with physicians and residents provided a real-life introduction to the medical field
- found this experience to have a meaningful impact on future career direction
- would recommend this program to others
- stated their assigned mentor provided helpful career guidance and advice
Results based on 2019 SEARCH participants.
- Bethune-Cookman University
- Capital University
- Central State University
- Kentucky State University
- Kenyon College
- Harvard University
- Howard University
- Ohio State University
- Spelman College
- Tennessee State University
- Tougaloo College
- Tuskegee University
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia State University
- Wilberforce University
