Understanding student experiences in a mentorship-driven summer research program: a mixed-methods evaluation of program design and student satisfaction

Background Medical students increasingly recognize the need for research competencies but often lack mentorship, institutional support, and structured training. The Medical Student Summer Research Program (MSSRP) addresses these gaps through an 8-week, faculty-mentored research experience with guided projects and structured learning activities. Its innovation is a transactional, semi-structured, mentorship-driven model integrating guided project selection and staged reporting to support early research skill development. Methods The MSSRP pairs MS1 students with clinical or basic science faculty and provides structured deliverables and oversight to support early research training. Mentor–mentee matching occurs through an information session where faculty present ongoing projects, followed by guided student selection to ensure alignment. Students submit project applications outlining background, objectives, methods, analytic approach, and anticipated outcomes. Applications undergo review by the program coordinator for completeness and the MSSRP Research Committee for scientific merit. Students complete a mid-term progress report and a final two-page summary. All participants receive a $2,240 stipend funded jointly by mentors or departments and the Dean's Office. Students present findings at Student Research Week and complete a program evaluation survey. Results Among 237 evaluations from 2020 to 2022, findings showed consistent, high-quality program implementation. Students reported working an average of 19.3 h/week, with most projects involving analysis of existing datasets. Survey responses were highly positive, citing strong mentorship, increased research knowledge and skills, enhanced self-efficacy, and project relevance to career goals. Qualitative feedback identified areas for improvement, including mentor–student matching, access to research resources, mentor dependability, clarity of expectations, and administrative processes. Conclusion The MSSRP offers a feasible, effective model for early research training, with engaged mentorship as a key contributor to student satisfaction. Student feedback highlights opportunities for refinement that will guide ongoing program improvement.