Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) - Summer 2010,

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility

Am I eligible if I am an international student?
No.  Applicants must be US citizens or resident aliens with a J1 visa or green card.

Am I eligible if I am a first-year student (completing my first year of college by June 2010)?
No.  Please consider applying in the future.

Am I eligible if I am a graduating senior (graduating by Fall 2010)?
No.

Am I eligible if I am not a psychology major?
Yes.  Anyone who is interested in the behavioral or cognitive sciences (which span many disciplines) is welcome to apply, as long as the other eligibility criteria are met.

Does eligibility depend on where I attend college?
No.  Participants are drawn from many different institutions, from schools at which there are few opportunities for engaging in research and programs that provide such opportunities during the school year.  The program is open to all who meet eligibility criteria.  University of Minnesota students and students from other institutions are equally welcome to apply.

Application requirements

Do I need to fill out the on-line registration form?
Yes, this is a required step.  The review committee relies on this information to compile the list of applicants.  This also allows us to contact any applicant whose application we do not receive or is incomplete.

What should I do if my school does not issue official transcripts to students?
The registrar can send one official copy directly to us, and you should include the three copies of unofficial transcript with your application.

What if my official transcript does not include all of my grades (Fall 09, for example)?
If an official transcript that includes Fall 2009 grades will not be available in time to meet the deadline you may submit the official transcript and three legible copies showing courses through Spring or Summer 2009 and four copies of a list of courses with grades received for Fall 2009 and courses being taken in Spring 2010. 

What if I only have one recommender?
Your application must have two letters of recommendation to be complete.  The two recommenders you select should be able to address your potential for engaging in research and pursuing graduate studies.  A recommendation from a supervisor or mentor is appropriate if you are engaged in an internship or work related to your field of interest. Recommendations from family friends or others not directly familiar with your academic abilities and potential do not provide the appropriate information on which to base selection for this program.

Mentors

Do I need to select three potential mentors?
No, that is not required.  However, it is to your advantage to select three since this increases the likelihood of the selection committee finding a fit.

Can I select a mentor not on the REU website?
No.  For this program you must select potential mentors from the list on the application website.  Please refer only to that information in making your decision, since that is the most accurate summary of the projects an REU student would be working on.

Is there an advantage to contacting potential mentors?
No.  Please do not contact potential mentors.  The review committee will select the top 40 applicants, and discuss those candidates with mentors.  Speaking to mentors in advance does not affect the probability of being accepted into the program.

Application receipt and notification of decision

How will I know my application was received?
We do not have the staff resources to confirm receipt of application has been received and is complete.  If one part of the application is missing, such as a recommendation or transcript or not enough copies of the application, you will be informed and given the opportunity to submit the missing material so that your application will be considered along with the others.  This is one of the main purposes of the on-line registration form.

How will I know if I am accepted?
All applicants will be informed as to whether they were accepted, on the waiting list or not accepted by April 12.  Notification will be sent via email.

Application review process

Is there an advantage to submitting my application early?
No, all applications are reviewed after the February 5 receipt deadline.