Leah Singley: The Young Scholar's Program

The Young Scholars Program (YSP) is a paid five-week summer internship program for high school students interested in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences. Selected students work 30 hours per week, actively engaged in research under the guidance of a faculty mentor on the UGA Athens, Griffin, or Tifton campus. During the program, students attend workshops and visit agricultural operations to gain exposure to the various fields of study and careers in agriculture.

Upon completion of the program, students present their research during the poster session at the Young Scholars Pre-Collegiate Research Conference, held during the final three days of the program on the UGA Athens campus.

Scholars are expected to:

• Commit to the full five-week internship program.

• Work and commute daily to either the Athens, Griffin, or Tifton campus.

• Conduct supervised research in agricultural, food, and environmental science.

• Participate in the three-day Young Scholars Pre-Collegiate Research Conference through poster presentation.

Eligibility requirements:

• Completion of sophomore year in high school and be a first-time participant in the program.

• 16 years old by the program start date.

• Sincere interest in scientific exploration in agricultural, food and environmental science; math and technology.

• Completion of one high school science course, including laboratory, and one semester of algebra.

• Submit a completed application that includes an essay and two teacher’s recommendation letters.

  
  

"The Young Scholars Program was an amazing experience for me! I got to have hands on experience with assisting in actual research and even got to use equipment I wasn’t even expecting to be allowed to touch! I got to make so many new friends and connections as well! I was able to learn all the other research that was going on through them too. I was also able to get a taste of what the dorms would be like, as we stayed in them for 3 days! Over all it was a wonderful experience and I would highly recommended it for anyone who wants to go into a scientific field!” 

        - Leah