Advancing Knowledge.
Transforming Lives.
Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)
Introduction
The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) is a gateway to graduate
education at Michigan State University (MSU). The goal of the program is to
increase the number of domestic undergraduate students who pursue graduate
study and careers in teaching and research at colleges and universities. MSU
SROP helps prepare undergraduate students for graduate study through
intensive research experiences with faculty mentors and academic enrichment
activities.
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MSU SROP helps undergraduate students gain research experience to give them
a competitive advantage as a graduate applicant by:
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intense research activities that broaden technical and presentation
skills;
professional development workshops;
seminars that introduce students to a range of research fields across
disciplinary lines;
informal gatherings that provide a forum for student and faculty
exchange of ideas and perspectives;
opportunities to present research at a multi-university program
symposium and in local research meetings.
Purpose
MSU was founded in 1855 and is one of the top 100 research universities in the
world and is a member of the Association of American Universities. MSU was the
prototype for 69 land-grant institutions established under the Morrill Act of
1862 and was the first institution of higher learning to teach scientific
agriculture. MSU offers more than 150 Master’s and 100 Doctoral graduate
programs in more than 80 departments and schools in 13 graduate degreegranting colleges.
MSU is an inclusive, academic community known for traditionally strong
academic disciplines and professional programs. Its cross- and interdisciplinary
enterprises connect the sciences, humanities, and professions in practical,
sustainable, and innovative ways to address society’s rapidly changing needs.
Through the resources that MSU has to offer and its “GO GRAD” program model,
MSU SROP gives undergraduate students an opportunity to conduct graduatelevel research and get a feel for graduate study at MSU. MSU faculty, in turn,
take the opportunity to consider these students as prospective graduate
students and invite them to apply for graduate admission.
About MSU
History:
Founded in 1855
Prototype for 69 land-grant
institutions established under
the Morrill Act of 1862
First institution of higher
learning in the U.S. to teach
scientific agriculture.
Campus Profile:
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Located in East Lansing, three
miles east of Michigan’s
Capitol in Lansing
5,200-acre campus with
2,100 acres in existing or
planned development
579 buildings, including 85
with instructional space
Students from all 83 counties
in Michigan, all 50 states in
the United States, and about
130 other countries
People:
Student Profile (fall 2008)
• Approx. 46,648 total students
(36,337 undergraduates and
10,311 graduate and
professional students)
• 53.7% women, 46.3% men
• 7.3% African American,5.1%
Asian/Pacific Islander, 2.9%
Chicano/Other Hispanic, 0.7%
Native American, 9.7%
International
• Approx. 5,052 faculty and
academic staff
Research and Outreach:
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One of Top 100 Global
Universities (Newsweek/MSNBC)
More than 140 active linkage
agreements with international
organization in more than 50
countries
Sponsored research totaled $377
million in 2006-07
Notable discoveries include:
Cross-fertilization of corn in the
1870s
Homogenization of milk in the
1930s
Anticancer drug cisplatin in the
1960s
Materials that reduce
dependence on fossil fuels in the
twenty-first century
Goals
Program Requirements
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MSU SROP Offers You…
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How to Apply:
For information on how to apply,
please go to:
http://grad.msu.edu/srop/apply.aspx
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Contact Information:
MSU SROP
The Graduate School
Office for Graduate Student Affairs
Michigan State University
116 Linton Hall
East Lansing, Michigan 48824
Phone: (517) 353-3262
Fax: (517) 353-3355
Email: gsaffairs@grd.msu.edu
http://grad.msu.edu/SROP
To involve undergraduate students in
graduate-level research
To provide a mentoring experience for
undergraduate students with an MSU
faculty member
To prepare undergraduate students
for the graduate school application
process
To motivate undergraduate students
to pursue an academic career
To recruit undergraduate students for
graduate study at MSU
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An opportunity to conduct research at
one of the country’s largest and most
scenic academic research universities
A generous stipend for the summer
program
Paid round-trip travel to/from East
Lansing, MI
Free room and board on the MSU
campus
Support for mentor’s research
expenses
Close interaction with an MSU faculty
mentor
Opportunities to present research
locally and regionally
Participation in seminars and
workshops on research skills
development, the graduate school
application process, and other areas
for academic enrichment
An opportunity to network with
current MSU graduate students and
post-doctoral researchers
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U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Enrolled in a degree-granting
program at a college/university in
the U.S., Puerto Rico, or other U.S.
territory
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
(0–4.0 scale)
Have completed at least 2
semesters of undergraduate
education
Have at least 1 semester of
undergraduate education
remaining after completing MSU
SROP
Demonstrate a strong interest in
pursuing an academic career