1. Undergraduate Research Opportunities Daniel Smith, Ed.D. Director, SSU Office of Undergraduate Research & McNair Scholars Program Mariana G. Martinez, M.A. Research Coordinator, SSU McNair Scholars Program

2. Benefits of Undergraduate Research Experiences Explore/refine your research interests and specialization within your field Establish your “fit” with prospective graduate schools Gain the kinds of experiences that admissions committees value highly Get high quality letters of recommendation from faculty mentors Enter graduate school more prepared Paid travel to another university Research stipends (sometimes ranging from $3000-6000)

3. Summer Research Programs COMPONENTS  Work one-on-one with a faculty mentor, in your field of study  Research Project  Weekly campus-based educational enrichment activities  Informal social gatherings  Presentation of research project at campus symposium  Travel paid  Housing and meals included  Stipend  Workshops Graduate admission procedures Financial aid opportunities Test-taking skills Preparing a presentation

4. Example of other Components/Benefits: Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC)

5. TIMELINE: Fall semester [Sophomore or Junior Year] August – October  Begin to research programs based on faculty interest or research interest Example: Education inequity or Daniel Solorzano (UCLA)  Research summer programs Example: Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) http://www.cic.net/students/srop/introduction http://www.cic.net/students/srop/introduction Example: Leadership Alliance: http://www.theleadershipalliance.org/Programs/SummerResearch/Prog ramStructure/tabid/242/Default.aspx http://www.theleadershipalliance.org/Programs/SummerResearch/Prog ramStructure/tabid/242/Default.aspx  Let professors know that you are interested in this opportunity for the summer--you might need a letter of recommendation from them

6. Spring Semester Jan - April  Interviews (rare)  Acceptance/Rejection Notification  Must accept (Mid March – April) June  Start Summer Research Program TIMELINE:

7. Resources Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) http://www.cic.net/students/srop/introduction http://www.cic.net/students/srop/introduction Leadership Alliance: http://www.theleadershipalliance.org/Programs/SummerRes earch/ProgramStructure/tabid/242/Default.aspx http://www.theleadershipalliance.org/Programs/SummerRes earch/ProgramStructure/tabid/242/Default.aspx Summer Research Opportunities: https://www.csusm.edu/otres/summerprograms/ucsummero pps.pdf https://www.csusm.edu/otres/summerprograms/ucsummero pps.pdf Google: Summer Research Opportunity Programs + Name of University

8. Typical Application Elements Application form Copies of transcripts Letters of recommendation or recommendation forms Statement of purpose/personal statement and/or statement of research interests and goals CV/Résumé

9. Application Element: Statement of Purpose Sample prompt: Please state your purpose in applying to the Summer Research Opportunity Program. Include the specific research area in which you would like to work, your methodological approach to the research, and your future professional goals. You may indicate whether you have particular experiences that qualify you to undertake such research, considering personal experiences; research experience including field, lab, or work experience; course work, including tutorials, research methods, and rigorous class papers; languages and technical skills; and other summer research. Include any information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation, potential, and aptitude for study at UC Berkeley. Relevant factors include but are not limited to: 1) Personal background, experiences, and characteristics that will enable you to complete a rigorous research program. 2) Access or lack thereof to graduate research and other preparation opportunities. 3) The diversity or lack thereof in your undergraduate institution, discipline, or department. 4) Your achievements and social, economic, educational, or other obstacles you face or have overcome to complete your education thus far.

10. Application Element: Statement of Purpose As a general rule, an SOP/personal statement should chart your intellectual journey-- how/why you have developed your research interests, what you have done so far to build a foundation, and what you would like to with them in the future and why. Tips specific to research internships: They often target underrepresented students--highlight barriers you have faced and how you have overcome them (without getting too carried away with your autobiography). Highlight why you want/need the internship at that specific site-- connect your interests with the work you would be performing through the internship. Discuss the limitations of research opportunities on your campus, if applicable. They want students who will diversify the field, to contribute unique perspectives to the discipline and serve as mentors to other underrepresented students. Mention how you value faculty mentors and your desire to serve as a mentor in the future. They target undergraduates-- you don’t need to be at the graduate level yet, just have a good sense of your interests and goals, be passionate about what you want to study, and have enough academic background to start an internship.

11. Application Element: Letters of Recommendation The best recommenders can say the most positive, specific things about your abilities as a student and/or researcher. Faculty in your undergrad major or related to graduate school major preferred. Tip: Give your recommenders the information they will need to be as specific as possible. Meet with them to discuss your career/academic goals and your applications. Give them a copy of your statement of purpose or description of research interests and goals and CV or résumé in advance. Request letters about a month in advance.

12. Ways to Gain UR Experience Off-campus grant funded programs hosted at other universities (e.g. SROP, REU, SURE) Local/government organizations that hire undergraduate research interns (e.g. US Forestry Service, the Buck Institute) On-campus programs that offer research experiences (McNair Scholars, LSAMP) Office of Undergraduate Research or Undergraduate Research Center Personal outreach to faculty member in your major