Summer 2013 Brackenridge Program Information Session (P. Koehler) Topics to be addressed: Important Dates. Who is eligible to apply? What do you need to do to apply? What makes an application competitive? How many Fellowships will be awarded? What does the Program expect of you? What can you expect of the Program? Answers to frequently asked questions.

Important Dates Applications due: March 8, 2013 Notification of Awards: by April 8, 2013 Start of Program: Week of May 13, 2013 Retreat at UP-Johnstown: June 24-26, 2013 Mid-Program Break: Week of July 1, 2013 End of Program: Week of August 12, 2013

Who is Eligible to Apply? Full-time undergraduate students in good academic standing majoring in any field offered by any of the 11 schools on the Oakland campus which award undergraduate degrees. Seniors who graduate in August 2013 are eligible only if the delay in their graduation date is due for reasons other than participation in the Summer Brackenridge Program. Students who have held a Summer Brackenridge Fellowship before are eligible to apply but, other qualifications being equal, preference will be given to first-time applicants.

What Do You Need to Do to Apply? (Slide 1 of 2) Fill out the application form available on the UHC website: Submit this form along with a 2-3 page, double-spaced description of your proposed research project; it should emphasize your interests and goals, your past involvement in the project, how you plan to acquire and analyze the information, and what you hope to gain from carrying out the project. Be sure to address the “So what?” question – why is this project important, not only to you but in a larger context? Explain everything in a way that would be clear to an educated person outside your field. Avoid excessive use of technical jargon.

What Do You Need to Do to Apply? (Slide 2 of 2) Submit an up-to-date transcript (an unofficial one is acceptable). Provide a brief written commentary indicating why you are interested in the interdisciplinary community fostered by the weekly Brackenridge seminars, the faculty lectures, and the retreat at the University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown. Provide a brief written statement from your faculty mentor indicating support for the project and a willingness to oversee your work.

What Makes an Application Competitive? The applicant’s academic record. The originality and promise of the proposed research project (which may be analytic or purely creative). The clarity and accessibility of the project description to a person outside of your field. The applicant’s willingness to help create and participate in the interdisciplinary community of students in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and applied disciplines.

How Many Fellowships Will be Awarded? Approximately Fellowships will be awarded, distributed roughly equally among students in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and applied disciplines.

What Does the Program Expect of You? Your full-time commitment to your project and the associated activities described below for the duration of the Summer 2013 Brackenridge Program. Attendance and participation at the weekly seminar sessions, which are traditionally held from 10 AM to 3 PM every Thursday, which includes a break when lunch is provided. Attendance and participation at the (roughly) weekly talks given by some of the faculty mentors, which traditionally take place on Mondays from 1 to 2 PM. Attendance and participation at the 2½ day retreat held at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown campus.

What Can You Expect of the Program? $3,500 stipend. A great research experience for an entire summer without the usual distractions of other responsibilities or the need to get a summer job. Learning how to prepare and deliver a presentation of a research project. As an added challenge, you will be required to learn how to explain your project to a general audience instead of a group of experts in the subject. In return, you will learn from the other Brackenridge Fellows about their projects, which will likely include fields that you may not have known anything about.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Is there a minimum GPA requirement? No, the decision is based on all aspects of the application. Are Fellows provided with housing in addition to the $3,500 stipend? No. Are Fellows allowed to take a summer course? No. May I apply for a Brackenridge Fellowship and an Arts & Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Award? Yes, but if offered both you may accept only one award. How is the stipend paid? In 3 equal installments (end of May, June, and July) provided you take care of the paperwork before the end of April.