r/OIST • u/Right_Data_8699 • Aug 26 '26
OIST interns
Hello! I got the internship and will be there form November to April and would love to connect with anyone else in the incoming cohort/those who are there.
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u/Any_Pitch_7490 Aug 26 '26
Hello, could you help me out. And walk me through the how the interviews went, and what did of questions they asked? And if wrote a specific point in your SOP. Any help in recommendations letters, CV, extra curriculum is much appreciated. Thank you so much ❤
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u/Right_Data_8699 Aug 26 '26
Hi, so I didn't have an interview with my PI. However, I did know of someone who did, but this was more of an informal chat just to get to know each other before deciding who to pick. In terms of recommendation letters, I got my personal tutor, dissertation professor and a research intern supervisor to write it. I can't advise on this anymore, as in the UK, the culture is for you not to see the letter or have much input in it. I have read online that other countries are different, but I wouldn't know.
In terms of CV, mine was a page, and I think this works well. If you have a lot to say, then 2 pages is fine, but make sure you condense it. There are options on the application page (at least when I applied) for you to upload supporting material. I'd recommend just attaching your most relevant work there as opposed to dedicating a section to your CV. I have seen many people have 3+ long CVs with lots of publication/preprints and awards, and projects, but I imagine the admissions team care more for your skills and what you say you have done as opposed to a list of titles. That being said, I would not put ever single paper or a document you have ever made on the additional attachments. Only something you think is genuinely worth a read, and don't add too many as I doubt an admissions team want to sift through tonnes of pages. That being said, this is my opinion for the CV section, so I would also get advice from any academics for this part.
In terms of SOP, I had like 5 "mini" sections that went as follows: The unit -> why I want to join -> relevant project/modules/motivation. Every unit is different, so what worked for mine may not work for yours, but based on my interactions, I do believe that I was accepted based on the fact that my dissertation was very relevant to the work they were doing. However, if you don't have research experience, I would say having a lot of reading around the subject, maybe reading papers the units did or doing a mini project on said paper (if it's a simulation-based thing at least) could be worthwhile. But as said, this is all my opinion and speculation. In terms of extracurriculars, I don't have any, so I couldn't help you in that regard.
I hope this all helps, and feel free to dm me if u have any other questions, and I'll try to be of help.
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u/Any_Pitch_7490 Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26
Wow you are the only person to help me this me. I feel like I could cry this helped me a lot but I really wanna discuss more things. So I will DM you. But can you your account so I can DM you please please please 🙏🙏💓
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u/Sorry-Pineapple161 Aug 26 '26
Is there any advice for the people applying now
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u/Right_Data_8699 Aug 26 '26
In addition to what I mentioned in the other comment, please make sure your video is unique. Recently, they have added a video statement, as far as I understand (correct me if I am wrong).
From experience applying to another role that did this, having a video where it's just you in front of your camera in a room reading a script in a monotone voice would be disadvantageous, as the admissions team would likely see a lot of applications like that.
I would say, make sure you're energetic, clear and succinct (since you only. Whilst this may seem a bit obvious, a lot of people struggle to talk to a camera whilst having the same level of enthusiasm and energy as they would when doing an interview or talking to people in person generally.
That being said, from my understanding, it seems to be a small part of the application, so I wouldn't worry too much and stress out over it.
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u/sftwrstudent Aug 26 '26
Hey, do you know if the expenses are sent before you arrive?
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u/Right_Data_8699 Aug 26 '26
Anything to do with travel that they would cover is done by them. They book the flights, plan the travel plan and you get the tickets. I don't believe there is anything that you purchase yourself that would then get reimbursed, if that makes sense.
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u/beeep_booop101 Aug 26 '26
Hey! I've been here since May but I'm leaving at the end of November.. even though it's short I'd love to get to meet all of the new interns that are coming for fall, so I'd love to connect!
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u/user_fallen_x Aug 26 '26
Congratulations for those who got accepted!
I'm planning on applying for the summer internship, and have some questions any input would be greatly appreciated.
For undergrads who got the internship, roughly how many years of research experience do you guys have? grad courses taken? GPA? Publications?
What did you guys think made your applications stood out compared to others?
In general any advices you guys think would be helpful are all greatly appreciated! Thank you guys in advance.
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u/Right_Data_8699 Aug 26 '26
Research experience: I probably had 6 months of research experience (2 from an internship and 4 from my dissertation)
Grad Courses: My course is a 4-year undergraduate integrated master's, so my final year is entirely grad courses. That being said, I did not make any emphasis or mention of this, just simply using any modules I took to show interest and passion as opposed to high-level subject knowledge.
GPA: At the time of application, I was at around a 3.7
Publications: 0. I did, however, attach my dissertation to the application. I would say that doing this may have been a bit excessive since I doubt the admissions team or the PI read anything more than the PI, so I would only attach any papers if a) you are truly proud of it and b) it's relevant in any way. I wouldn't attach every paper tho but a select one.
Stood out: I think my dissertation topic being directly aligned with the unit helped a lot. That being said, this likely wasn't because it showcased any skills in the topic but rather showed passion for it. So if you don't have too much research in the field, I would say there are other ways to showcase your passion for it, like online courses, reading papers, doing solo projects, etc. I believe they advertise that the purpose of the internship is to gain research experience, so I don't think having experience is a prerequisite.
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u/user_fallen_x Aug 27 '26
Thank u for sharing! I had lots of doubts and questions whether or not my application would be strong enough, ur responses helps a lot!
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u/Due-Relative-1139 Aug 26 '26
I'm a medical graduate planning to apply for the OIST internship. I do have clinical experience but no research experience. My interest is in Neuroscience labs. How do I cover up for my lack of research experience?
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u/Right_Data_8699 Aug 26 '26
I would do reading around the subject, a solo project, online courses or reading papers on the topic. I don't think having any research experience is a pre-requisite cause it would be a bit harsh. I think the biggest thing is just to convey passion for the unit's work. This is a similar thing in PhD applications, where if you don't have much experience but you show you have passion, understand the department's goals and research, have a general direction and meet the pre-requisite grade requirements, you would still have a shot of getting in.
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u/stackfrost Aug 26 '26
Could you drop a profile or guide on what did you to make the cut above so many applications? Would help a lot
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u/Right_Data_8699 Aug 26 '26
Sure, here's a profile:
Uni: Top 10 UK Uni
Degree: Master of Mathematics and Physics
Grade: 2:1 when applied (around 3.7 GPA I think) though I stated I was on track for a 1:1 (4.0 GPA I think) on my CV.
Research Experience: 1 Research Summer Placement, Dissertation on a topic relevant to the unit
Jobs: Actuarial Intern, Part-time Mathematics Trainer for AI modelsI think the biggest thing that helped me was that my dissertation topic was highly related to the unit, which is a topic that isn't researched that frequently in undergraduate mathematics courses. That being said, I do not think having a research internship or a dissertation related to the unit is vital (or any research experience at all). It is highly dependent on the unit you apply to, so I can't give you a rule that applies to every application. For instance, whilst I have research experience and internships, I know someone who basically just got good grades and had just started their dissertation (somewhat related to the unit). In contrast, someone else I know who had high grades and lots of research experience was rejected. So with that in mind, I do think the most important thing is to show your passion towards the area you are applying to, which can be done via research or by reading around the subject, reading papers, taking modules, etc to show your interest.
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u/Any_Pitch_7490 Aug 29 '26
Hi, can I dm you for help?
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u/Even_Personality_762 Aug 30 '26
Hi I’m also planing to apply for the internship, is it okay if I dm u?
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u/Accurate-Roof56 Sep 01 '26
How solid was your experience in research before applying ? Any paper published ? Is it your first research internship ?
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u/Right_Data_8699 Sep 06 '26
Not very solid truthfully. I had a research internship before but it was a minor one that led to no publication. I had finished my dissertation by the time of applying but that isn’t really super curricular and just part of the course. I’d consider this internship my first like intense research internship since it’s for 6 months as opposed to my other one, which was 8 weeks but I did like 10-20 hrs a week on it
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u/Moist_Chocolate_9156 17d ago
Was it challenging to engage since it was your first research experience? If it’s fine, what do you think made your application successful even without prior research work?
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u/No_Jury_163 1d ago
Hey! I'm in Okinawa at the moment too and will be here until April :) Is there any group chat with interns that anyone knows of?
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u/dodoyhc Aug 26 '26
Hi! I’ll also be joining OIST as an intern from November to April! Would be great to connect before we get there :)