Deadline:
5:00pm, Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Please note: The PRISE application supplement form and all other documents are uploaded in .pdf format. Please make sure all of the items in your submission are
converted to .pdf before engaging in the CARAT upload process. Questions about converting documents to .pdf may be directed to the HUIT Help Desk at the Science Center (B-13) or by e-mail at help@fas.harvard.edu . This instruction sheet is for reference only--DO NOT UPLOAD!
APPLICATION ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS -- READ CAREFULLY!!
The APPLICANT must complete the CARAT registration and upload all supplmentary documents on-line at https://asperin.fas.harvard.edu/carat/.
Printed applications submitted to our office will not be accepted in lieu of the CARAT upload.
APPLICATION CHECKLIST -- WHAT YOU SUBMIT ON-LINE
APPLICATION REGISTRATION (CARAT)
Complete the “Centralized Application for Research and Travel” (CARAT) at https://asperin.fas.harvard.edu/carat/ (registration information section). No budget is required for PRISE--Please indicate “0” on any budget information request lines.
PRISE APPLICATION SUPPLEMENT (CARAT UPLOAD A)
Complete the PRISE application supplement form, with concise answers to the eligibility questions. Save the completed Adobe Acrobat
.pdf form with your information to upload in CARAT. (Please note: if you use Adobe Reader, you must PRINT the form and rescan it to
.pdf . CLOSE AND REOPEN THE DOCUMENT BEFORE UPLOADING TO MAKE SURE THE FIELDS ARE FILLED IN!
ESSAY RESPONSES (CARAT UPLOAD B)
Prepare a single document with your responses to the two essay prompts on the application supplement, and convert to .pdf to upload in
CARAT.
RESUME (CARAT UPLOAD C)
Convert a resume to .pdf that includes your work history and a description of your scholarly and extracurricular activities.
CURRENT TRANSCRIPT (CARAT UPLOAD D)
Obtain a copy of your latest on-line unofficial transcript (NOT the S-REC), including your fall 2013 course grades to upload in CARAT.
WAIVER FORMS (CARAT UPLOAD E)
Complete one waiver form for each of your two recommenders. Simply upload them completed with your application--do not give them
to your recommenders. Please note: At the time you make your request for recommendations, you must disclose to the letter writer
your intention to waive or not waive your right to view the letter. CLOSE AND REOPEN THE WAIVER FORMS BEFORE UPLOADING TO MAKE SURE THE FIELDS ARE FILLED IN!
APPLICATION CHECKLIST -- WHAT IS SUBMITTED ON YOUR BEHALF
TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
RESIDENTIAL LETTER: One letter should be from a residential staff member of your current residential community (House or Yard),
such as a Dean, Master, Tutor, Proctor, etc., who knows you well. This letter should comment in detail about your contribution and participation in daily residential activities, and how you will benefit from and contribute to the PRISE community.
ACADEMIC LETTER: The other letter should be written by someone in the Harvard academic/research community who can comment
on your initiative, and interest in pursuing excellence. This letter should include brief examples of how you will benefit from and contribute to the PRISE community. (Note: freshmen may consider a high-school academic/research recommender.)
Please provide the half-page instruction sheet to each of your recommenders. As the instructions state, letters should be addressed to
“PRISE Selection Committee” and submitted as e-mail attachments to undergradresearch@fas.harvard.edu . (Please make sure to verify submission if your recommender transmits your letter via e-mail.). Alternatively, you may submit letters to URAF in sealed envelopes with the
recommender’s signature across the seal. Recommendations are not transferable to other competitions. Even if you encounter problems
collecting these letters, you must still submit all other application materials before the Wednesday, February 19 deadline.
CONFIRMATION LETTER FROM HOST LABORATORY (WHEN DETERMINED)
A letter from your designated research host must confirm your placement and briefly outline your proposed responsibilities. If your placement in the host lab is confirmed after the PRISE deadline date, please submit this letter at that time. Letters should be submitted as e-mail
attachments to undergradresearch@fas.harvard.edu , with PRISE -- [YOUR LAST NAME] in the subject line. NOTE: If your academic
recommender is also your summer 2014 faculty laboratory host, he/she also should confirm your lab placement in that letter. (You
do not need a separate confirmation letter.)
Complete applications must be uploaded to CARAT by the 5:00pm, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 deadline.
Late applications will not be accepted.
CARAT UPLOAD A
Deadline:
5:00pm, Wednesday, February 19, 2014
APPLICATION SUPPLEMENT FORM
Please print or type neatly in the spaces below.
Likely permanent, non-Harvard e-mail:
Name (LAST NAME IN CAPS, First name, M.I.):
Class:
House/Yard affiliation:
Concentration (declared or likely):
*Name of Harvard faculty member in whose lab you will work:
*Name of individual in lab with whom you will work most
closely:
*Name of individual who has written your lab confirmation letter:
*Status of this individual (i.e., principal investigator, postdoc, grad
student, etc.):
*Please leave these sections blank if you are submitting an application before your laboratory placement has been confirmed.
Do you have any obligations this summer that may preclude your full commitment to participation in PRISE? If so, please elaborate
briefly.
Is summer 2014 the only summer during your undergraduate studies that you will be able to participate in PRISE? If so, please
elaborate briefly.
CARAT UPLOAD B On a separate sheet, please provide responses to the following two statements. Please be sure to include
your name at the top of the sheet(s).
1. Briefly describe the research interest(s) you would like to pursue this summer and why. (500 words maximum.)
This essay should convince a committee of scientists in different fields that you have thought carefully about the science yourself and are not simply rewording
material from Wikipedia or a lab web page . Please be as specific as possible, but describe the research in your own words. If you must use jargon, give your own
descriptions of the technical terms you use. If you have not yet selected a lab or project, please describe your intended scientific interest, what you hope to learn,
and how you expect the research experience will contribute to your academic goals.
2. Describe how you will contribute to and benefit from participating in a diverse residential community of scientists. Please provide descriptions of your involvement in your Harvard house or dorm (or other outside communities), with specific examples of your role in contributing to the cohesion
and distinctive identity of the group. (500 words maximum.)
These statements must be submitted with the application on or before the application deadline, even if your lab has not yet been confirmed.
SIGNATURE REQUIRED.
PLEASE SUBMIT ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS TO CARAT AT https://asperin.fas.harvard.edu/carat/ .
DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014.
I affirm that the foregoing statements and attached materials are true and accurate representations of me and my application to PRISE.
Entering your name in this space affirms your signature:
Date:
DO NOT UPLOAD
Print out and give these instructions
to your recommender.
Deadline:
5:00pm, Wednesday, February 19, 2014
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE RESIDENTIAL STAFF RECOMMENDER FROM THE PRISE SELECTION COMMITTEE
Applicant Name:
This applicant is applying to the Harvard College Program for Research in Science and Engineering (PRISE), to participate in the 10-week summer
residential community of undergraduate scientists. A critical factor in evaluating the application is evidence of participation in and contribution to the
academic year residential community. The applicant has selected you to provide a letter of recommendation to the PRISE Selection Committee, and we
thank you for your effort on the applicant’s behalf. We would appreciate it if you would address the following questions in your letter:
1. In what capacity have you interacted with the applicant in your residential community?
2. How has the applicant contributed to and/or led activities in the residential community?
3. How would you characterize the applicant’s relationships with others (peers and staff) in your residential community?
4. How would the applicant benefit from and contribute to the cohesion and identity of the PRISE residential community?
You may submit your letter as a Word document or .pdf attachment via your official, verifiable professional e-mail address to undergradresearch@fas.
harvard.edu . (On the subject line, please type PRISE - [LAST NAME OF APPLICANT].) Please note that this is not an encrypted server system,
and is provided for your convenience only. For your protection, letters submitted from non-official, personal accounts (i.e., G-mail, Yahoo, or other
private e-mail applications) will not be accepted. Alternatively, please address your hard-copy letter and envelope to “Harvard College PRISE Selection
Committee,” seal and sign the envelope, and return to the applicant, who will include the letter with the application dossier.
The deadline for receipt of application materials is Wednesday, February 19, 2014. If you have any questions, please contact the Director
of PRISE, Greg Llacer, at gregory_llacer@harvard.edu .
DO NOT UPLOAD
Print out and give these instructions
to your recommender.
Deadline:
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ACADEMIC / RESEARCH RECOMMENDER FROM THE PRISE SELECTION COMMITTEE
Applicant Name:
This applicant is applying to the Harvard College Program for Research in Science and Engineering (PRISE), to participate in the 10-week summer residential community of undergraduate scientists. A critical factor in evaluating the application is evidence of initiative and motivation in an academic and/
or research setting. The applicant has selected you to provide a letter of recommendation to the PRISE Selection Committee, and we thank you for your
effort on the applicant’s behalf. We would appreciate it if you would address the following questions in your letter:
1. In what capacity do you know the applicant?
2. Can you provide brief examples of initiative, motivation, and determination in an academic and/or research activity?
3. How would the applicant benefit from and contribute to the PRISE community?
You may submit your letter as a Word document or .pdf attachment via your official, verifiable professional e-mail address to undergradresearch@fas.
harvard.edu . (On the subject line, please type PRISE - [LAST NAME OF APPLICANT].) Please note that this is not an encrypted server system,
and is provided for your convenience only. For your protection, letters submitted from non-official, personal accounts (i.e., G-mail, Yahoo, or other
private e-mail applications) will not be accepted. Alternatively, please address your hard-copy letter and envelope to “Harvard College PRISE Selection
Committee,” seal and sign the envelope, and return to the applicant, who will include the letter with the application dossier.
The deadline for receipt of application materials is Wednesday, February 19, 2014. If you have any questions, please contact the Director
of PRISE, Greg Llacer, at gregory_llacer@harvard.edu .