Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the dates of the program?
A: The dates for the summer 2027 program are Sunday, May 30 to Friday, July 2.
Q: How do I apply for the program?
A: Visit the "How To Apply" page to see a complete list of the required application elements along with further detailed information.
Q: Can I choose the site I attend?
A: No. The site designations are decided by the program's staff and site directors based on a variety of factors. In general, students will not be selected for the site nearest their home.
Q: Can I be absent from the program to attend other events or family functions?
A: No. We require that participants be fully committed to the program and remain in residence for the entire five weeks and participate in all activities.
Q: If I am selected for the program but am unable to attend due to a conflict, what happens?
A: Please consider your ability and willingness to fully commit to the entirety of the 5-week program before applying. None of the university sites will refund prepaid housing and food costs to WSSP so students who withdraw either just prior to or during the program may be required to reimburse the program for these expenses. In addition, students who withdraw from the program have taken a slot which could have been assigned to another worthy applicant.
Q: Who is eligible to participate in the program?
A: Applicants must be a current sophomore or junior at the time of application. Current seniors (i.e. students who are seniors at the time of application) are not eligible. Previous participants in the Welch Summer Scholar Program are ineligible to apply.
Q: How much does the program cost?
A: There is no cost to participate in the Welch Summer Scholar Program. All necessary expenses are funded by the Robert A. Welch Foundation. These expenses include room and board, in-town transportation, laboratory expenses, books and study materials, computer and library access, and limited recreational activities. Personal expenses such as off-campus dining and any out-of-pocket health/medical expenses are the responsibility of the participant.
Q: Should I bring my personal laptop?
A: Yes but make sure that it is secured at all times. WSSP cannot be liable for the theft of, or damage to any personal property. For selected students who do not have access to their own computer, loaner programs may be available at each site however due to limited inventory, this is not a guaranteed option.
Q: Will the research paper I write at WSSP be published?
A: Listing a WSSP participant as co-author on a peer-reviewed paper is at the sole discretion of the faculty member in whose lab the research is conducted. All papers are provided to the Welch Foundation but due to privacy policies, they cannot be provided to external audiences or other program participants.
Q: Does the Welch Summer Scholar Program practice rolling admissions?
A: No. All applications are reviewed only after the posted application deadline.
Q: Are home school students eligible to apply for the program?
A: Yes, we welcome applications from home schooled students. Note that we do not accept recommendation letters from parents or family members. Letters should come from teachers, counselors, community leaders, work supervisors, and sports, dance, or music coaches. Please keep in mind that the student's academic performance is generally clear from the PSAT/SAT scores and grades. We rely on the recommendations to tell us more about the applicant, how the applicant works with other people, how they set goals and then follow through to achieve them, how a program like WSSP fits into other activities and achievements.
Q: Are the benefits provided by WSSP taxable?
Per Section 60505 of the Internal Revenue Code, the value of housing, food, health insurance, Rec Sports membership, and other expenses covered by the program is a taxable benefit to participants. Although this is a taxable benefit, the WSSP hosting institution will not issue either a Form 1099 or Form 1098-T which lists the value of the benefits. Section 60505 was added to the Internal Revenue Code in 1997 with the Taxpayer Relief Act (Public Law 105-34 (111 Stat. 788). It will be up to each family to decide whether or not to claim the benefit on their tax return. Participants should contact their tax preparer for advice.