REU: Everything you need to know

Josh HinckleyLinh Nguyen

What is a REU?

Research Experience for Undergraduates

Conducted at several universities and laboratories across the world

Gives undergraduates the experience of working with graduate students and faculty from different institutions

Fields include: chemistry, physics, biology, geology, etc.

All STEM fields

Funded by NSF

Who and why?

Who:

Everyone! Anyone in the various sciences

Lucky for us we are a small university REU’s look for students at smaller universities and

minorities

Why:

Boot camp for graduate school

Gets you interested in an area of the STEM subjects

Without an REU?

How do you find a REU?

NSF Website: http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp

Google:

Example: “Chemistry Materials REU”

Ask your professors

Ask your fellow students

How do you apply for a REU?

Make a spreadsheet, or write them down, of the potential institutions with due dates, requirements, etc. to stay organized

How many schools should you look for?

As many as you can (7-30 institutions)

Letter of recommendation:

Formally approach the professor(s)

Give professor(s) a minimum of two weeks notice before due date

What is the application like?

Online or paper

Do NOT wait till the last minute

CHECK DUE DATES!

Some applications are very simple, some are quite lengthy

Transcripts

Mail-in

Unofficial

Personal Statement

Format:

Introduction to yourself and your life How did your past get you to where you are now

Your college experience so far

Your research experience and/or why are you interested in this REU Specific to each REU

How will this REU help you with your future endeavors

What are your future goals

Personal Statement Continued

If you have a Pre-Professional Health concentration:

It is highly recommended that you do NOT inform them of your future career in the health field

Have a few people proof read your statement

People you might want: Professors

People that are not very close to you

Woo!

You got accepted!

What’s next?????

You have a deadline to accept your offer Usually two weeks after notification

Acceptances are sent through email

Pick the school that will provide you with the best experience

What’s it like?

First Day:

Move in day

Second Day:

Meet and Greet

First week in general:

Lab safety

READING and INSTRUCTION!

Every week:

Seminars

Field Trips

What’s normal work day like?

You work a ~40 hour work week

About 8 hours a day

Theoretical: Usually computation and various tasks

Maybe a meeting?

Mentally demanding

Experimental: Group meetings once a week

Lab clean up days

More physically demanding

Last week

Final presentation/report

Cook out

Sappy goodbyes

The fun side of REU’s