Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Integrated Environmental Sciences

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
in Integrated Environmental Sciences

Funded by the Department of Defense and contracted by the National Science Foundation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Applicants

Accepted Students

Will my travel be covered?

Q: I am not a US citizen but would like to apply to the REU program. Am I still eligible?
A: Unfortunately, under NSF guidelines you must be a US citizen to particiapte.

Q: I am a freshman or sophomore looking to apply for the REU program. Should I apply?
A: The REU program is targeted for students in the summer between their junior and senior year, although exceptions can be made in the case of other students who are well prepared by their coursework and/or other experience.

Q: I participated in the REU program last year, does this exclude me from participating again this year?
A: No, you can still participate in the REU program even if you have previously participated.

Q: Where can I find out more about potential research projects?
A: You can find our more by going to the linked websites of the faculty listed and explore their research projects. We align applicants by their interest area with appropriate participating faculty, who have slots available in their research groups. There is some flexibility in terms of what you wind up working on. The more explicit you can make your interests in your application, the better the alignment we can make.

Q: Should I continue with my research after the summer program is completed?
A: While we design research projects that can be completed during the summer, all research leads to larger questions, and it�s strongly encouraged that REU students continue their research beyond the scope of the summer.

Q: It states that the dates of the internship are from the first week of June to the first week of August. Are those dates permanently set in stone or is there flexibility? What if I miss the first two and a half weeks because of another commitment I have?
A: The program is 10 weeks long, and there are a number of seminars and other activities in the first 2.5 weeks that you would miss. These are an essential part of the program. Based on this, the review committee will likely not rank your application as high as an otherwise equivalent applicant.

Q: I am an undergraduate senior and interested in your summer research program, but I noticed your website states that applicants should be sophomores or juniors. Is this a strict requirement, or should I still apply?
A: We ideally seek students at this stage so that the experience can inform their decisions about graduate school. You are welcome to apply but your status as a senior will be considered.

Q: Is the program physically located in Austin, and if so, is public transportation readily available?
A: Students are housed on the UT campus so you would not need to commute.

Q: What are the work hours for this research project? Is there a certain work schedule I should expect?
A: Typically, these research experiences involve 9 am � 5 pm, Mon-Fri, for the 10 week period.

Q: Should I send you an e-mail attachment with an unofficial web transcript I am able to access or should I send an official transcript which I can send through the mail?
A: Send the unofficial by email and follow up post-deadline with the official by regular mail.

Q: When will I be notified about whether or not I'm accepted into the program?
A: Notification will be sent out during the first week in April.

Q: Will my travel be covered?
A: We will cover your roundtrip airfare (as long as it's not too outrageous - we're assuming a standard roundtrip from your home base).

Q: Where will I be housed for the summer?
A: The living situation will be in Kinsolving Dormitory, a dorm room on campus, shared with another REU student, most likely one within our program. If not, then an REU student in another UT program. The dorm is convenient to the academic buildings on campus.

Q: What type of clothes/items should I bring?
A: We'll make a list and send it out to the group well in advance of June. Mostly, you'll need warm weather clothing, a swimsuit for the Port Aransas trip, and some clothes that you don't mind getting roughed crawling through a cave (old jeans are good for this).

Q: Will there be a schedule of events posted online?
A: We have provided a 2007 ESI Reu Calendar for students to keep track of all REU events.

Q: When will I receive my research/food stipends?
A: You will receive $500 food and $500 of the salary on arrival provided you have filled out the necessary forms that Kathleen Sebenoler will send you.

Q: When and how should I book my flight?
A: Book your flight when you want but you must arrive on either June 2 or 3. You will be reimbursed up to $250 on presentation of your boarding pass and itemized receipt. $250 on return with same procedures followed.

Q: Do I need to arrange transportation from the airport to the university?
A: Depending on when your flight arrives, we will try to have someone from UT meet you and other REU students.

Q: Will I have my own room or will I share a room?
A: You will share a room in Kinsolving Dormitory, on the UT campus, with another REU student, most likely one within our program. If not, then an REU student in another UT program.

Q: How can I find out when the seminars and field trips will be held?
A: A link to an REU activities calendar can be found on the main ESI REU page. http://www.esi.utexas.edu/research/reu/

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