Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions regarding the MINDS program, we recommend reading through the questions below. If your question has not been addressed, please reach out to minds@uw.edu to contact our program coordinator or application manager and we will get back to you shortly.
I am interested in applying, how do I start the application process?
In order to apply to the MINDS program you must first have an active account. You can register for an account by clicking the 'Login' button on the top right of the website. After completing the account creation steps, please visit the Application page under How To Apply to start your application.
Do you offer informational sessions or accept meeting requests for application guidance?
We do not currently offer informational sessions, but you can find more information about the program on our website at https://minds.uw.edu/ and https://minds.uw.edu/how-to-apply.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered on the website, please reach out to our program coordinator or application manager at minds@uw.edu and we will be happy to assist over email.
I am a first-year student at my university but have credits equivalent to that of a second- or third-year, can I still apply to the program?
You may apply to the program if your credits equate to that of a second- or third-year due to a program such as Running Start as we are aware that students who participate in running start participate with the intention of graduating earlier and may not have a typical 4-year enrollment at their university or institution.
If your credits are equivalent to that of a second- or third-year due to credits earned from Advanced Placement courses, we ask that you not apply until you are in your second or third year of enrollment at your institution as we are unable to verify if your enrollment will be shorter than the typical 4-year period.
I am a fourth-year student in a five-year program at my university or institution, can I still apply to the program?
Unfortunately, we are only accepting students in their second or third year of enrollment or with second- or third-year status due to programs such as Running Start. We encourage you to apply to other programs that you may meet the eligibility criteria for and thank you for your interest in the program. Please see below for guidance on finding similar programs.
I do not currently meet the 3.2 minimum GPA requirement, am I still able to apply?
The GPA requirement is a strict eligibility criteria.
We are aware this may be disappointing and appreciate your understanding. We would encourage you to consider applying once you meet the eligibility requirements.
In the meantime, you may wish to explore other neuroscience-related opportunities.
I require visa sponsorship in order to participate in the MINDS program, can I still submit an application?
To participate, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents with U.S. work authorization that does not depend on a temporary visa. Because the program cannot provide or support visa-based work authorization, students who need a visa to work in the U.S. are not eligible to participate.
We are aware this may be disappointing, and we appreciate your understanding.
I am a High School student looking for neurosurgery programs and opportunities, is MINDS a good fit?
It’s wonderful that you are already exploring ways to prepare for a future career in neurosurgery and are interested in neuroscience research.
At this time, we don’t have any opportunities through our program that you would be eligible for as a high school student under 18. Our MINDS (Mentorship and Inspiration in Translational Neuroscience for StuDentS) Summer Program is designed for second- and third-year undergraduate students, so you would need to wait until you meet the program’s eligibility requirements to apply.
In the meantime, we encourage you to explore the University of Washington Center for Neurotechnology’s Young Scholar’s Program-REACH, which may be of interest to you as you explore neuroscience and related fields.
Your enthusiasm for learning about neurosurgery and planning for your future is a great starting point. We encourage you to continue exploring neuroscience, seeking out STEM and research opportunities, and learning more about the educational pathways available to you.
I am ineligible to apply to the MINDS program, are there similar programs that I could apply to instead?
Yes! We encourage students who are ineligible for application or admittance to the MINDS program to explore other neuroscience-related opportunities through the University of Washington’s Undergraduate Research Program website.
I am ineligible to apply to the MINDS program and I am an international student, are there similar programs for international students that I could apply to instead?
Yes! You may want to explore the UW’s Visiting International Student Internship & Training (VISIT) program, which offers eligible international students the opportunity to participate in supervised research with a UW faculty member.
You can find more information here:
https://www.ielp.uw.edu/programs/research-programs/visit/overview
We also recommend contacting the VISIT office at uwvisit@uw.edu to confirm your eligibility and learn more about the application process.
If VISIT is not a feasible option, you could also contact neurosurgery and neuroscience departments at other U.S. institutions to ask about research opportunities for international medical students.