STAR PROGRAM APPLICANT AND SCHOLAR FAQ

How many applicants apply during each cycle, and how many scholars are selected per program year?
Each year, the STAR program receives hundreds of applications each year, and that number continues to grow as the program gains recognition and broadens its impact across the Southern California community. From this competitive applicant pool, only four STAR Scholars are selected annually.
 
What materials are required as part of the application? Are letters of recommendation required?
To complete the STAR Program application, applicants must provide a reliable personal email address, complete demographic information, submit a one-page cover letter, and upload a current resume. Letters of recommendation are not required. 

The cover letter should address the following prompts:

• Tell us about yourself.
• Describe a challenge you have experienced and how you overcame it.
• Explain your interest in tobacco advocacy and research.
• Share what you hope to gain from participating in the program.
• Discuss how you would like to give back to your community after completing the program.

Please format your cover letter using 12-point Arial font, single spacing, and 1-inch margins. Responses should not exceed one page.
 
How can applicants stand out to the leadership team, and what qualities and characteristics are the STAR leadership team looking for in applicants?
Just be yourself! The STAR program is looking for passionate and dedicated individuals who are as excited about tobacco control as we are. We are looking for lifelong learners who are dedicated to personal growth and serving their communities. Applicants who demonstrate genuine passion and dedication to tobacco control and prevention in communities disproportionately impacted by commercial tobacco are highly competitive. STAR Scholars are highly motivated individuals who practice accountability, are looking to nurture their professional skill sets, and pride themselves on going the extra mile. 

The STAR leadership team is very familiar with AI-generated content and prefer to hear an applicant's true voice within their application. 

Am I eligible to apply if I am not currently enrolled in an institution?
Yes. Individuals who are not currently enrolled in a school or institution, or who will not be enrolled during the STAR program, are still eligible to apply.
 
Is previous research or public health advocacy experience required for acceptance, and does the program also welcome applicants with prior experience?
No prior experience in research or public health advocacy is required to apply. Applicants with or without previous experience in these areas are encouraged to apply.

What are the core components and experiences included in the STAR program?
As a STAR Program Scholar, you will participate in two four-hour “half-day” sessions each month focused on tobacco control, anti-tobacco research, and advocacy. These sessions include discussions and group activities designed to reinforce and expand upon the topics covered throughout the program.

STAR scholars will also complete one research project and one advocacy project based on their own interests and ideas. Both projects are driven by your own ideas and interests, with mentorship and support provided by STAR Program mentors, all of whom are experts in their respective fields. Scholars will also be invited to attend the American Public Health Association (APHA) National Conference and/or American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference with the STAR Program.

To practice community engagement skills, scholars are required to actively participate in two tobacco-focused advocacy group meetings each semester. Examples include American Lung Association Mission Committee meetings, city council meetings, and CHEST meetings. Scholars are also expected to volunteer at three tobacco-related advocacy events during the program year, such as the American Lung Association Lung Force Walk and VA Lung Cancer Screening Day.

Scholars are expected to meet regularly as a peer cohort outside of the scheduled “half-day” sessions (weekly or bi-weekly) and report back to PIs at the half-day sessions. Cohort meetings are used to collaborate on the cohort group project, complete STAR Program assignments, share progress updates, and support one another both personally and professionally.

More information about the curriculum and required STAR projects is available on the STAR Curriculum page.
 
Will participation in the STAR program fulfill my school/department's internship requirements?
Please review the program components outlined above, along with the additional information provided throughout the STAR Program website, to determine whether our program aligns with your school’s specific internship requirements. We also encourage you to schedule a meeting with your internship coordinator to review the program details together.

STAR Program leadership and mentors are open to completing any required paperwork, provided that your school’s internship coordinators approve the collaboration and allow financial compensation for your participation. The number of hours dedicated to your projects will be determined collaboratively between you and your STAR mentors.
 
What is the expected time commitment for the STAR program, and is it manageable alongside full-time coursework?
As a general guideline, dedicating 10-15 hours per week (roughly 2-3 hours per day) or more with consistent effort over the nine months should allow you to make strong progress toward your goals as a STAR scholar. Please note, however, that for two weeks each month, these hours will be in addition to participation in our required four-hour half-day meetings.

The ~$30,000 stipend is designed to provide flexibility while supporting a meaningful and sustained commitment to the STAR program. Scholars are expected to invest their time thoughtfully in projects aligned with their interests and with tobacco control efforts.

We have had several past scholars who were undergraduate students or in post-undergraduate positions, taking additional coursework or pursuing master’s programs, and who successfully fulfilled their STAR commitments and completed comprehensive projects.
 
If I already have a focused interest area within tobacco prevention research and advocacy, how can I best prepare to maximize my experience in the STAR program?
If you already have an area of interest within tobacco prevention research and advocacy, we encourage you to explore publications from our leadership team and former STAR Scholars to learn more about potential research topics and areas of focus. As a STAR Scholar, you will also receive guidance on how to critically read and analyze scientific literature in depth, equipping you with the skills needed to engage with research articles fully, so don’t worry if this is new to you.
 
Is the program conducted virtually, in person, or in a hybrid format?
The STAR Program’s four-hour half-day sessions will be conducted virtually. The one mandatory midyear meeting, held in January or February, and the end-of-year graduation ceremony will take place in person. In addition, conferences such as the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and the American Thoracic Society International Conference are held in person in their respective host cities. Please see conference websites for more information on their locations during your year. Additional in-person meetings may be scheduled throughout the year. 

How often will scholars meet with Principal Investigators (PIs)?
STAR Scholars have regular access to the program’s Principal Investigators, Dr. Kristen Emory and Dr. Laura Crotty Alexander, who attend every half-day meeting throughout the program. Each meeting includes dedicated time for scholars to connect with the PIs both personally and professionally. Scholars are also encouraged to reach out at any time to schedule one-on-one meetings, and the PIs are committed to making themselves available to support students throughout the week. A key part of the STAR experience is learning how to build meaningful mentorship relationships and make the most of meetings with PIs/mentors.
 
Will scholars work independently or collaboratively?
Both! Scholars are expected to meet regularly as a peer cohort outside of the scheduled “half-day” sessions (weekly or bi-weekly). During these meetings, scholars will collaborate on an ongoing tobacco-related group project throughout the program year. Examples of past and potential projects include podcasts, STAR social media content, blog series, educational videos, TikToks, cartoons, books, and student-led panel discussions. Cohort meetings may also be used to complete STAR Program assignments, share progress updates, and support one another both personally and professionally.

Applicants should consider this additional time commitment when determining their availability for the program year. As a cohort, scholars are encouraged to build strong collaborative and professional relationships with one another. Public health work is highly collaborative, and developing teamwork and communication skills is an integral part of the STAR Scholar experience.

STAR Scholars' tobacco control and prevention research and advocacy projects will likely be individual or in collaboration with their mentor's team. 
 
Where will in-person events and conferences take place, and are travel and lodging expenses covered by the program?
The program covers all travel and lodging expenses for any required conferences or events. For the program’s in-person meetings, the midyear meeting is typically held in the Los Angeles area or at a location approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego to make attendance more convenient for scholars. The graduation ceremony is usually held in San Diego. 

For conference-related travel, please refer to the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo and American Thoracic Society International Conference websites for information about each year’s host city. 
 
How does the program support career exploration in public health, medicine, or research?
In addition to opportunities to attend conferences and connect there with graduate schools and professionals in fields of interest, the STAR Program provides dedicated mentorship to support scholars’ academic and professional development. This includes guidance on resume and cover letter writing, how to make the most out of their mentors, applying for funding opportunities, and navigating applications for jobs, master’s programs, PhD programs, and medical school.

Scholars also participate in sessions featuring guest speakers who share their personal experiences and career and educational pathway advice. STAR Scholars build lasting professional connections with mentors and speakers, all of whom are happy to provide individualized support during the program and beyond as scholars continue to grow in their careers.
 
Are there opportunities to present research or advocacy work at conferences?
Yes! We strongly encourage scholars to submit their STAR Program work to conferences as abstracts and poster presentations. Our leadership team and mentors are happy to work closely with you throughout the process, including helping you draft, revise, and prepare your submissions for conference consideration.
 
Will scholars receive a certificate or formal recognition upon completion?
Yes! At the graduation ceremony, STAR Scholars are presented with certificates in recognition of their contributions and successful completion of the STAR Program.
 
What should I expect during the STAR program graduation event? 
During the STAR Program graduation event, scholars are invited to participate in a 2- to 3-day retreat to celebrate their accomplishments and strengthen connections with their cohort and the STAR leadership team. Scholars will participate in bonding activities, community engagement exercises, and professional development experiences that reflect the program's collaborative spirit.

As part of their graduation experience, each STAR Scholar will deliver a 30-minute presentation highlighting their research and advocacy projects and reflecting on their growth and experiences throughout the program year. Presentations are followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer session by fellow scholars, former STAR scholars, and members of the leadership team. At the conclusion of the retreat, scholars are formally recognized for their achievements and presented with completion certificates alongside the program’s Principal Investigators, Program Admin, and their cohort peers.

While the presentations may sound overwhelming now, the STAR Program is committed to supporting and preparing scholars every step of the way. Throughout the year, scholars receive guidance and skills to feel confident during graduation presentations and related activities. STAR scholars will have the opportunity to share their progress in the Mid Year presentation and receive feedback that will help prepare them for the Final presentation. Additionally, STAR Scholars will practice their Final presentation with a member of the STAR leadership team to receive feedback and tips in the weeks leading up to graduation. 
 
Are there opportunities to continue working on STAR projects and collaborating with mentors after the program year concludes?
Yes! We encourage all STAR Scholars to continue collaborating with their mentors beyond the program year. The relationships built through the STAR Program are intended to provide long-term guidance and support, and scholars are given lifelong professional mentors throughout their academic and career journeys. Research projects frequently take longer than the duration of the program and our leadership team and mentors are more than happy to provide support beyond the program's timeline. In the years following their participation in the STAR program, several scholars have published presentations and manuscripts continuing their research from the STAR program. 

Learn more about how STAR Scholars have continued their impactful tobacco prevention and control research and advocacy efforts beyond the program timeline on the STAR Scholars Projects page.