RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES Jan 5, 2016 First Tuesday

REU, not REOREO ■Research Experience for Undergraduates ■Think of it as an academic internship ■Typically 8-10 weeks in the summer ■Stipend of about $4,000-$5,000 ■Housing, food, and travel almost always covered

Why do an REU? ■Meet faculty and students from other schools ■Work with equipment not available at CWU ■Solidify your knowledge and skills in a field you like ■Try a new field

Typical REU activities ■Activities common to the school’s geographic region ■Seminars ■Workshops ■Final poster or oral presentation ■May get to present at a professional conference

How to apply ■Visit the REU website ■Complete the application. Don’t be late! ■Essay requirement ■Letters of recommendation. Ask early! ■Copy of your transcript

Advice ■Research all of the programs you’re interested in ■Apply to more than one REU ■Don’t pass over a school just because it’s small or not a “big name” ■Personalize your essay to each program

Where to look ■NSF ■webGURU ■NASA Assignment ■Get with a partner or two ■Go to the NSF website on the iPad ■Read about an REU or two that look interesting ■Share with the group (if time permits)

Questions

Guest Speaker ■Dr. Ian Buvit, Director McNair Scholars Program

Next Month ■February 2, 2016 ■5:30 – 6:30 pm ■Topic: Assessing your skills as a physics major (using SPS Toolkit exercises)exercises