How to Get Into MSKCC HOPP (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 's Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program)
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For high school students interested in medicine, cancer biology, biotechnology, or biomedical research, few summer opportunities carry the prestige of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (MSKCC HOPP) Summer Student Program. HOPP is one of the few truly elite biomedical research programs that places high school students inside a world-class cancer research institution working alongside active researchers.
Hosted by one of the world's leading cancer research institutions, HOPP gives students living within driving distance of New York City the opportunity to work alongside researchers conducting cutting-edge translational cancer research. Rather than simply learning about science in a classroom, participants become immersed in the research process itself. Students gain exposure to laboratory work, scientific thinking, and careers in biomedical research through an intensive summer experience.
At My Ivy Education, we've helped students earn admission to highly selective STEM programs across the country. Here's what you need to know about HOPP and how to build a competitive application.
What Is MSKCC HOPP?
The HOPP Summer Student Program is a research-focused summer program offered through Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). The program is designed for high school students interested in biomedical sciences, cancer biology, and translational research. Students work in laboratory settings, learn research techniques, participate in seminars and workshops, and gain exposure to careers in medicine and scientific research.
Unlike many STEM summer programs that focus primarily on coursework, HOPP emphasizes authentic research experiences. Participants may:
Work in biomedical or computational research labs
Learn laboratory techniques
Analyze scientific data
Attend scientific lectures and seminars
Collaborate with researchers and mentors
Present their findings at the conclusion of the program
For students considering careers as physician-scientists, biomedical researchers, oncologists, or biotech innovators, HOPP provides an unparalleled introduction to the research world.
How Competitive Is HOPP?
With an acceptance rate of just 2%, HOPP is extremely selective. The program attracts academically accomplished students from across the New York metropolitan area who are interested in biomedical sciences and cancer research. Successful applicants typically demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership, and a clear interest in scientific research.
Nearly all applicants have:
Top grades in rigorous science courses
Strong performance in biology, chemistry, or related subjects
Research experience
Science competition participation
STEM leadership roles
Independent scientific projects
However, many qualified applicants are denied each year, even ones who tick every box on this list. The students who stand out and get accepted typically demonstrate something beyond strong academics: genuine scientific curiosity.
What HOPP Is Really Looking For
Intellectual Curiosity
HOPP is not simply looking for students who perform well on tests. Researchers want students who ask questions:
Why does cancer develop?
How can new therapies be discovered?
What biological mechanisms remain poorly understood?
Students who actively pursue answers to scientific questions often stand out during the application process.
Interest in Biomedical Research
Many STEM students say they enjoy science. The strongest HOPP applicants can explain specifically why they are fascinated by biomedical research.
Strong applicants often have experiences such as:
Reading scientific literature independently
Conducting research projects
Shadowing healthcare professionals
Volunteering in healthcare settings
Participating in biology or medical clubs
Completing advanced coursework outside of school
The admissions committee wants evidence that your interest extends beyond the classroom.
Maturity and Professionalism
Research environments require responsibility. Students must be able to learn complex concepts, follow protocols, collaborate with mentors, and contribute to a professional laboratory environment. Applicants who demonstrate initiative, reliability, and intellectual maturity tend to perform well in the selection process.
The Importance of the Essays
For many applicants, the essays become the deciding factor. Strong essays often answer questions such as:
Why are you interested in biomedical research?
What scientific question fascinates you?
What experiences shaped your interest in medicine or science?
How would this opportunity help you achieve your goals?
The most effective essays tell a story. Rather than listing accomplishments, they reveal how a student's curiosity developed and why they feel compelled to pursue scientific discovery. Researchers are often more interested in how you think than in how many activities you've completed.
How to Strengthen Your Application
Pursue Research Before Applying
You do not need published research to be competitive. However, demonstrating familiarity with the research process can be extremely helpful.
Examples include:
Independent research projects
Science fair participation
Research mentorship programs
Data analysis projects
Literature reviews
Laboratory coursework
Develop Technical Skills
Students interested in biomedical research should consider building skills in:
Biology
Chemistry
Statistics
Data analysis
Programming
Scientific writing
Research increasingly relies on computational tools, making interdisciplinary skills especially valuable.
Read Scientific Literature
One of the simplest ways to stand out is by engaging with scientific research outside of school.
Reading journal articles, following scientific breakthroughs, and exploring current biomedical challenges demonstrates intellectual initiative that admissions committees notice.
Common Mistakes Applicants Make
Focusing Only on Medicine
Many students write exclusively about becoming a doctor, but HOPP is fundamentally a research program. Applicants should emphasize scientific investigation and discovery, not just clinical practice.
Listing Accomplishments Without Reflection
Awards and activities matter, but what matters more is what those experiences taught you. Strong applicants demonstrate growth, curiosity, collaborative ability, and self-awareness.
Being Too Generic
Statements like "I have always loved science" appear in countless applications. Specific stories and authentic experiences are far more memorable.
How My Ivy Education Helps Students Get Into Programs Like HOPP
At My Ivy Education, we help students build the kind of intellectual profile that selective research programs value.
Our students develop:
Independent research projects
Scientific communication skills
Competition strategies
Research mentorship experiences
Compelling application narratives
The students who earn admission to programs like HOPP are rarely those who simply collect credentials.
They are students who have developed genuine intellectual interests and can communicate them clearly.
HOPP is ultimately searching for future researchers—students who are excited by unanswered questions and eager to contribute to the advancement of science. If that sounds like you, now is the time to start building your research story.
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