The Biostatistics Epidemiology Summer Training Diversity Program (BEST) was established to expand and diversify the behavioral and biomedical sciences’ workforce by introducing undergraduates from underrepresented populations to biostatistics and cardiovascular and pulmonary disease research. Students representing racial and ethnic minority groups, disadvantaged backgrounds, and students with disabilities join the Department of Biostatistics at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health’s for eight weeks of research, training, academic and career planning, and social activities around New York City.
All eligible students are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must represent one of the following groups:
Racial/ethnic minorities (African-Americans, Hispanic/Latino-Americans, Native Americans or Alaskan Natives)
Economically disadvantaged; these include:
Students currently receiving or who in the past have received: federal disadvantaged assistance, Health Profession Student loans (HPSL) for Disadvantaged Student Program, or scholarships from the U.S. DHHS under the Scholarship for Individuals with Exceptional Financial Need.
Students from social, cultural, or educational environments that have demonstrably and recently directly inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career.
Physically or mentally disabled
Application Requirements
Qualified applicants to the program must:
Be enrolled and have completed at least one year of undergraduate work at an accredited school or university OR be enrolled at a community or junior college, completing at least 3 courses per academic term.
Have completed at least 1 semester of college calculus (regardless of academic major)
Must be a U.S. citizen OR U.S. permanent resident.
Complete and submit a program application
Possible phone interview with a member(s) of the BEST admissions committee (following application submission)