ASPIRE
Policies and FAQs
The ASPIRE application opens on Jan. 1, 2026, and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. ET on Feb. 15. Applications submitted outside of this time period will not be accepted.
Parent Code of Conduct
Applicants are responsible for properly completing the application, sending supporting documentation, and checking the status of materials sent by third parties. Applicants and their parents/guardians agree to treat all APL staff with respect and to avoid disruptive behavior. Failure to adhere to these commitments may result in removal from the current and/or future applicant pool at APL’s discretion.
General Questions
APL is located at 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, Maryland 20723. We are one exit south of Route 32 off of Route 29. For further information, including directions, please visit APL’s Locations and Directions page. Please note: We are not located on the Johns Hopkins University campus.
APL is not accessible by public transportation. APL does provide a shuttle to and from the Laurel MARC station twice per day.
This is an unpaid learning experience. The ASPIRE program works with schools to provide an extension of your learning environment. The program is intended to benefit students by increasing their knowledge base and experience in STEM subjects.
APL does not offer any housing or housing information for ASPIRE students.
Green card holders are not eligible for the ASPIRE program. APL is a secure facility, and U.S. citizenship is required for access to our systems and campus.
Eligibility
The ASPIRE program is intended to be a supplement to academic work, and we ask that students who do not meet the minimum requirement spend their time building up their academic record first and then apply to the ASPIRE program once they have reached the minimum requirement.
As long as you disclose your vacation plans to your mentor, are still able to complete your minimum hours, and are available for any mandatory onboarding or orientation dates, you may go on vacation.
If your planned vacation will be longer than two weeks, you will not be able to complete the required minimum ASPIRE hours.
It is very challenging to participate in an extracurricular activity (much less several) at the same time as the ASPIRE program. ASPIRE requires all continuing students to submit a schedule in advance, and your schedule must align with your mentor’s needs. If your school offers early release for internship participation, that avenue may be beneficial for you. Seniors should also take the college application process into account when planning their schedules.
Please see our academic-year timeline for more information.
Application and Selection
There is no magic way to better your chances. Be honest, curious, and enthusiastic. STEM Academy and MESA alums are seen more frequently by our mentors. Please view our selection page for more information.
Most likely, no. Please view our selection page for more information.
We do not offer any medical internships. Historically, fewer than five students per year are placed in any neuroscience or biomedical internships. Most are research-based and not lab-based. These placements are very rare and highly competitive.
Please see the Internship Timeline and Information page for more information.
Please only submit the materials requested as part of your application. Transcripts, test scores, etc., will not be considered.
After you finish and submit your application, recommenders are prompted to upload a form by the system. These will automatically attach to your application.
Yes. Your ASPIRE application is for enrollment in the summer session. Students are not required to stay through the academic year.
There is no application for the academic-year session. Please see our session timeline for more information.
Homeschool Questions
Absolutely! We welcome homeschoolers into the program as long as their homeschool is in compliance with Maryland law and the student meets our basic eligibility requirements. Learn more about Maryland homeschool law.
Unless your child is enrolled in an online or video learning program where they have an official school counselor or adviser, you as the homeschool parent will be the one to sign that form. Likewise, the level of credit you award for the internship is at your discretion, but it should be consistent with Maryland State Department of Education rules and regulations.
According to Maryland law, students can be homeschooled under one of two options: the portfolio option or the umbrella option.
- If you are homeschooling under the portfolio option, you should have a portfolio of curricula, assignments, test results, etc., reviewed at least once annually by your school district’s superintendent. You should have sufficient materials in this portfolio to provide an accurate GPA.
- If you are homeschooling under the umbrella option (state-approved or religious organization), you should have the equivalent of a GPA either provided by the umbrella organization or created in compliance with umbrella organization requirements. If for some reason this is not the case, you should still have sufficient records to provide an accurate GPA.
The ASPIRE program requires one recommendation form, which cannot be filled out by a parent. We suggest asking another instructor, coach, scout leader, club leader, religious leader, etc., to fill out the recommendation form.
No, ASPIRE interns can only complete internship work during general business hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
No. Please refer to the Internship Timeline and Information page for more details.