Strategies for Handling Denial from PICS and IIP Admissions
As the summer season approaches, undergraduate students seeking research internships have a wealth of opportunities available to them beyond the Princeton-sponsored programs. Here's a guide to help you explore various resources for non-Princeton summer internships.
Online Repositories and Job Boards
Explore online repositories and job boards such as the GitHub repository by Pitt CSC & Simplify Jobs which provides continuously updated listings of tech internships for summer 2026, including roles in data science, software development, machine learning, and engineering across many companies.
Federal and Research-Focused Internships
Government and research agencies like the [Department of Energy (DOE)], [National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)], and [National Science Foundation (NSF)] offer internships that often involve engineering, physics, data analysis, and scientific research. These internships are typically designed for undergraduate students and have various eligibility criteria.
University Career Development Pages
Universities outside Princeton also list internships from diverse employers. For instance, Harvard’s undergraduate career center shares many opportunities, including internships in engineering, finance, data science, algorithm development, and quantitative research from companies like BNY Mellon, DaVita, and Hudson River Trading.
Specialty Programs and Summer Immersion Opportunities
Specialized programs and summer immersion opportunities for high school and college students sometimes extend to undergraduates, covering fields from coding (Girls Who Code) to neuroscience (Camp Neuro) and journalism (Princeton Summer Journalism Program — although this is Princeton affiliated).
National Labs and Research Institutions
National labs and research institutions like the [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)] offer summer internship programs in STEM and environmental science fields, typically lasting 10–12 weeks and sometimes extendable, with stipends and open eligibility for undergraduates regardless of citizenship.
Applying for Internships
To maximise your chances of securing a summer research internship, it's essential to actively search and apply through these platforms. Tailor your applications to each opportunity, and network via your university career center, LinkedIn, and professional groups to uncover unadvertised positions.
Princeton-Funded Internships
For Princeton students, opportunities like the [Streicker International Fellows Program], [Office of Undergraduate Research - Student Initiated Internships (OURSIP)], and [John C. Bogle Fellowship] have deadlines in March.
Learning from Summer Experiences
Redefining Research: Sharing experiences and insights from past summer research internships can provide valuable insights for current students seeking similar opportunities. Link to the author's past summer experiences.
Funding
For those in need of financial assistance, various funding options are available for summer research internships. Research the funding opportunities provided by your university, government agencies, and private organisations to support your summer research endeavours.
Conclusion
Summer is a time for growth and exploration, and non-Princeton summer research internships offer undergraduate students the chance to gain valuable experience and broaden their horizons. By actively searching, networking, and tailoring applications, you can find and secure the perfect opportunity for your academic and professional future.
Undergraduate students seeking education-and-self-development and career-development opportunities can explore various non-Princeton summer internships. Beyond Princeton-sponsored programs, online repositories and job boards such as the GitHub repository by Pitt CSC & Simplify Jobs provide a wealth of tech internships, offering skills-training in data science, software development, machine learning, and engineering.
Undergraduate students can also apply for federal and research-focused internships offered by agencies like the Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), and National Science Foundation (NSF), which often involve engineering, physics, data analysis, and scientific research.
