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Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships FAQ
- What is the purpose of the program?
The intent of this program is to offer you a singular experience in a medical research lab under the supervision of a principal investigator in a funded research project. We are providing you a first hand experience in what a career in biomedical research will be like.
- Who should apply?
Undergraduate student participants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. An undergraduate student is one who is enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associates degree. High school graduates who have not yet enrolled, and students who have received their bachelor's degrees and are no longer enrolled as undergraduates, are not eligible.
Sophomores and Juniors at U.S. Colleges and Universities, who are majoring in the sciences (e.g.: Biology, Chemistry,
Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Physics, etc.) may be considered for summer fellowships in the College of Medicine. Previous research experience is beneficial; it makes you more competitive for a spot in a lab and it helps us know where to place you.
Students who have completed a year each in Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physics, are preferred. If you have done any research at all I encourage you to discuss it in your application in as much detail as possible. Also, be as specific as possible about your research interests and how you plan to use research in your future career.
- Are post baccs and post grads allowed to apply?
Seniors who are about to graduate but intend to take a year off afterwards to prepare for graduate or medical school are eligible to apply to the RGE SURF program
- How do I apply?
You may fill-out the online application off of our website. Along with the completed application, you will need to provide two contacts that will write a letter of recommendation. Some programs require 1 letter, some may require more. You may get letters from your College Advisor or any professor or investigator who can evaluate your potential for biomedical research. You may also provide and any other documentation you feel would support your application. For example, if you have done research, you may submit a resume or a summary of your experience. You may submit scientific papers, research papers or other publications you have written or participated in as well. Be sure to let us know if there is a particular lab or area of research you are interested in.
- Is there an application deadline?
Applications for summer research programs will be accepted until March 1. Along with your application, ALL required supporting documents resume, transcript(s), and letter(s) of recommendation must ALSO be received by this date for your application to be considered. You may log on with your Username and Password, edit your application and attach your documents up until the March 1 deadline. Due to the number and quality of applications we receive each year for a limited number of fellowship awards, we strongly encourage you to apply before the March 1 deadline for greatest consideration as many programs will begin filling positions on February 1.
- How much is the stipend?
Summer research assistants in SURF/RGE will receive $4,000 for the 10-week internship
for the summer of 2008. This should cover room and board with enough left
over to enjoy the summer in Cincinnati.
- When do I start my internship?
You should complete your 10-week internship sometime between May and August, but you will work out
a schedule with your mentor that suits both of your needs for the summer. You will be expected to participate in laboratory work
(or other program related activities) about 8 hours a day, five days a week during the 10 week period.
- Is housing available for undergraduates?
As a Summer Research Fellow, you will need to find housing for the 10-week internship. Apartments close to campus in Clifton usually run about $300-400 for a one bedroom. You can find a summer apartment to share or sublet at:
www.apartmentfrog.com/oh/uc/ (an on campus
website) or at: www.Cincinnati.com which lists all the Cincinnati Enquirer's classified housing ads every day.
UC Dorms are available after the summer quarter begins. You may contact the undergraduate housing department via www.uc.edu/housing/.
- What kinds of research opportunities are available at UC College of Medicine?
We have a wide range of research areas from which to choose. With nearly
$300 million in research funding, we truly offer world class facilities and programs. You can look at the
Department web sites to see what kind of research the faculty in each
department are doing, or you can go to our Research website at: www.med.research.uc.edu and click on
"Search our eXpertise"
to find investigators by searching keywords like "cancer" or "genetics." With over 20 departments
and 1000 faculty engaged in basic science research,
the College of Medicine is equipped to place you in almost any area of biomedical research you could wish.
- Is it possible to apply to a specific department?
The Office of Research and Graduate Education can place you in nearly any research lab in the UC Academic Health Center.
You may also apply directly to one of the other summer research programs in the
College of Medicine which are listed at:
www.med.uc.edu/admissions/summerenrich.cfm .
- Is there a list of past participating laboratories, and should we apply to a specific one, or just state our general interests in the application?
Just describe your research interests and any research experience you have. We will take it from there. If you are accepted into a lab,
we will put you in touch with the principal investigator (your mentor) to set up your schedule for the summer.
If you know of a specific investigator whom you wish to work with, please include this information in your application essay.
- Is there a specific form for the advisor/professor recommendation?
The two individuals you provide on your application will be contacted by our office and requested to write a letter of recommendation which evaluates your potential for a research career. They will be directed to submit the letter online.
- Is it necessary to have an official transcript from EACH university attended; that is, being a transfer student, do I need to send two transcripts or will a detailed cumulative one from my present university suffice?
If your current transcript includes information about your other school(s), you do not need to send any other transcripts, however, if the bulk of your academic work is at the other institution, make sure the grades from that coursework
are included on your current transcript, or else we will need to see the original.
- Is it possible to apply to more than one program?
There are many Undergrad Research Programs at the University of
Cincinnati College of Medicine. It is possible to apply to more than one of
these programs, but it is preferable to determine which program is best suited
to your needs and apply only to that one program. All told, we bring in about 150 undergrads from
all over the U.S. each summer. Most of our summer programs run during UC’s summer academic
schedule, mid June - August, but this schedule is flexible.
For more information on each program, go to:
If there is a question that you think would be helpful that is not listed here,
please submit it for review:
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