Frequently Asked Questions

• What type of housing can I expect?
• Who will be my roommate?
• Where will I eat? Will the food be good?
• Who else will be at MDIBL?
• What will my work hours be?
• What activities are there outside the Lab?
• What types of research are conducted at MDIBL?
• Can I choose the mentor I work with?
• Can I bring my car?
• How do I get to MDIBL?
• How do I apply?

What type of housing can I expect?

MDIBL offers on-campus housing that is within a minute’s walk of the laboratories and the dining hall. Birch and Spruce dorms, the two main undergraduate student residence halls, were both constructed in the last eight years and feature the amenities of a traditional college dormitory. Each building has eight double occupancy rooms and two gender-specific bathrooms for all sixteen residents to share. Emery Cottage is the residence for high school students. Like Birch and Spruce, Emery is co-ed; however, in the case of Emery, males and females are housed on separate floors.

The residence halls have quiet hours and are substance free. Overnight guests are not permitted on campus. No pets or appliances are allowed in the dormitories.

Who will be my roommate?

Your roommate will be one of your peers (i.e. undergrads will room with undergrads, high schoolers with high schoolers). Roommates are assigned by the education office. Students with compatible interests and backgrounds are often assigned to room together. Students are welcome to indicate a roommate preference if they apply. However, there is no guarantee that a specific assignment will be made.

Where will I eat? Will the food be good?

Everything you need is available in the dining hall. Lunch (noon - 1 pm) and dinner (6pm - 7pm) are prepared Monday through Friday. Breakfast is self-serve in the dining hall. On the weekends, students have access to the dining hall kitchen and normally cook together. Meals are prepared with high-quality ingredients and are quite tasty! Our wonderful kitchen team will accommodate special diets to the best of their ability. If you require regional or hard to find foods, please have them shipped from home. Supermarkets in Maine are not known for their eclectic selections.

Who else will be at MDIBL?

The MDIBL summer community is composed of scientists and their families from colleges and universities throughout the world, and post-doctoral, graduate, undergraduate, and high school students. The MDIBL community is close-knit and interactive. The summer community numbers around 150, more or less evenly divided between students, scientists, and staff.

What will my work hours be?

Most students work a typical 7-8 hour day with appropriate breaks for lunch and dinner. Exact hours depend on experiments and seminars, and sometimes students start early or work late, depending on what is going on the lab. Students are expected to attend various lectures throughout the summer; most seminars are scheduled on weekday mornings or evenings.

What activities are there outside the Lab?

Mount Desert Island offers a plethora of summer activities. Using the free Island Explorer public transportation system, students can travel around Acadia National Park and into Bar Harbor. There are many activities in the park, from hiking mountains and the carriage trails to rock climbing, kayaking, sailing, and swimming in the ocean. Bar Harbor offers even more attractions, including whale watching excursions and great shopping. Students often organize group camping and hiking trips to Baxter State Park and Mt. Katahdin. There are several annual sports competitions with summer student researchers at The Jackson Laboratory. These include Ultimate Frisbee, soccer, and sandpit volleyball.

What types of research are conducted at MDIBL?

Available student mentors are listed on the Research Mentor page. You can find information on research at MDIBL here.

Can I choose the mentor I work with?

Undergraduate applicants may choose three mentors or preferred research areas on their application. The MDIBL Education Office will consider your preferences when assigning mentors. For more information, please see the list of mentors. High School applicants are assigned mentors by the Education Office.

Can I bring my car?

Undergraduates, graduate students, and high school students who commute are allowed to have cars on campus, provided they register them with the administrative office.

How do I get to MDIBL?

You can travel to MDIBL by personal car, bus, or airplane. The closest airport is Bar Harbor Regional/Trenton Airport (BHB), a 15 minute drive from the Lab. Please see Travel Information for more information, including other airport choices and driving directions.

How do I apply?

High school students must be nominated prior to a full application. Undergraduates may submit an application for summer fellowship online or by mailing a hard copy of the application to the MDIBL Education Office.

Specific questions? Email Michael McKernan, Director of Education.