Maintain a high grade point average throughout your university career. Involve yourself in extracurricular activities related to the area in which you would like to intern. For example, join a political party chapter at your university if you would like to work as a research intern for a member of Congress. Having a strong grade point average and relevant extracurricular experience will help to distinguish yourself from the other applicants who will compete with you for research internship spots.
Take an introductory statistics course. This will help to familiarize you with how to conduct and present statistical research. Write as many formal research papers as possible during your undergraduate career. This will help you become a better writer, which is something that will help you when you compose a personal statement and resume during the process of applying for research internships.
Find research internships available in areas that interest you. Learn as much as you can about the organization or company offering the internship opportunity before applying. Make sure that the internship is suited to your academic and extracurricular background. The closer the relationship between your interests and background and the research internship you apply for, the better chance you will have of both receiving and succeeding in the internship.
Compose a personal statement and resume and complete the application process for the internship or internships of your choice. Tailor the specifics of your personal statement to the research internship for which you are applying. Write a master personal statement and alter it as necessary for each individual internship if you apply for multiple programs. Provide the most relevant experience you can offer on your resume. For example, your summer job working at a community library might appear more relevant on a resume you send to an internship program at the Library of Congress than on one you send to Nabisco Foods.