FINDING SUMMER
OPPORTUNITIES
Website: nau.edu/ugr
Email: ug-research@nau.edu
OUTLINE
Why?
Where?
How?
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WHY?
Discipline
specific
“perks”
Explore
other places
Further
research
experience
Professional
Networking
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Generous
stipends
WHERE?
• Begin by defining interests.
– Don’t feel restricted by your major – you can apply for other things
as well.
• Ex: Pre-med students applying for marine science opportunities.
• Next, find opportunities.
Science
Marine
Science
Paid
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WHERE?
• Your most valuable tool: search engines
– Key search phrases
• “Undergraduate”
• “Summer”
• “Internship”
• “REU”
• “Research”
• Your discipline
• Ex: “Undergraduate summer internship in marine science”
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MAKING IT EASY: ONLINE RESOURCES
• NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
–
–
–
–
THE resource if you want to do STEM summer research
Work with a faculty member on an independent project
8-12 weeks
Paid (varies by site) – sometimes housing, food, and travel
reimbursement is included
– Application process varies by site
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MAKING IT EASY: ONLINE RESOURCES
• Leadership Alliance
– Centralized application service for many ivy league REU sites
• Opportunities in
– Science
– Humanities
– Social Sciences
– Geared towards underrepresented minorities interesting in
pursuing doctorate degrees
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MAKING IT EASY: ONLINE RESOURCES
• Leadership Alliance Partnership Institutions
Brown University
Columbia University
Dartmouth College
Harvard University
John Hopkins University
New York University
Princeton University
Stanford University
Tufts University
University of Chicago
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Miami
University of Pennsylvania
University of Virginia
Vanderbilt University
Weill Cornell Programs
Yale University
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MAKING IT EASY: ONLINE RESOURCES
• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
– Compilation of opportunities for students seeking
• Biomedical
• PhD
• MD
• MD/PhD
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MAKING IT EASY: ONLINE RESOURCES
• NASA One Stop Shopping Initiative (OSSI)
– Opportunities for Spring, Summer and Fall
• Summer 2015
– Accepting applications Jan 1st – Mar 1st
• Many are paid
– Geared towards, but not limited to, engineers and computer
scientists
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MAKING IT EASY: ONLINE RESOURCES
• NAU Departmental Webpages
• NAU Undergraduate Research Website
– Nationwide lists of opportunities in science, medical, math, and
humanities
– Selected opportunities are listed when available
• NAU Summer Research
– Volunteer to work with faculty
• Great way to get your foot in the door
– Pay yourself with HURA funding available July 1
• Search other institutions’ webpages
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WHEN
• Question: What season comes after Fall?
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WHEN
• Answer: Application season (and you thought it was Winter…)
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HOW TO APPLY
• Typical application deadlines
– Most: Last week of February
• Some are as early as November
• Others are as late May
– Also important to note notification dates
– Complete applications during winter break and all through January
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HOW TO APPLY
• Typical application components;
– Two letters of recommendation
– Handful of essay-style questions
• Motivation for applying
• Career aspirations
• Summary of qualifications
• Etc…
– Transcript
• Some require official
– Resume/ CV
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HOW TO APPLY
• How do I maximize my chances of success?
– START EARLY
• Some application components need to be provided by someone else
(letters of recommendation, official transcript, proof of enrollment)
– Tips and Tricks
• Compile
– Deadlines (Application and notification)
– Application requirements
– Letter requirements
• Answer writing questions in a separate word document first, then
copy and paste
– Don’t forget to proofread
• Consult on-campus career and writing services
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HOW TO APPLY
• Letters of recommendation
– Choose appropriate references
– Make it as easy as possible for writer
• Give them a document which includes
– Desired content of the letter
– Submission instructions
– Deadlines
– Remind/ nag them at appropriate intervals
• For example, remind them 2 weeks, 1 week, and 3 days before
deadline.
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SUMMARY
• The critical information to leave with;
– Apply!
– Be aware of deadlines
– This PowerPoint is available here for future reference:
• http://nau.edu/Undergraduate-Research/External-Organizations/
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Dr. MaryLynn Quartaroli
Office for Undergraduate Research &
Creative Activity
Phone: 928-523-1026
ug-research@nau.edu