UC Scholars Program

Benefits:

• Length: 8 weeks
• Scholarship/stipend: $3,000
  
• Housing: On-campus housing or an allowance of $2,000 to be used towards off-campus living expenses.
• Mentored research experience: Conduct ~30 hours/week of research mentored by a UC San Diego faculty member
• 199 credit: Four units of 199 credit (paid for by the program)
• Professional development: A series of workshops on topics such as, but not limited to, research ethics and presenting your research.
• Co-Curricular Record: Recognition of some research-activities on your co-curricular record.
• Conference travel funding: By participating in the UC Scholars Program, you qualify to apply for URH's conference travel funding.
• Conference presentation and networking experience at the Summer Research Conference

Requirements

• Devote at least 30 hours a week to a research project that is supervised by a faculty mentor
  • Students may join a project a faculty member has already developed, continue working on a project you have been a part of (as part of a team or as an invidiual), or may develop a new individual project based on their research interests.
• Attend both the Summer Research Program orientation and UC Scholars orientation
• Attend program meetings and seminars
• Submit a research abstract and paper
• Present summer research at the Summer Research Conference
• Comply with the
  • UC San Diego Code of Conduct
  • Safety rules and regulations of research groups where they work
  • GRE preparation course rules
  • Mentoring procedures set forth by the UC Scholars faculty and staff

Exclusions

Students cannot do the following while in the program:

• Work
• Take classes
• Participate in any other summer research program
• Go on vacation

• Full-time UC San Diego undergraduate students
  • Participants may not graduate before the end of the program.
• Majors
  • The UC Scholars Program is open to students from any major.
• Any citizenship status
• At least 90 units before the program begins (by the end of spring quarter)
• A UC San Diego GPA of at least 2.7
• A serious interest in pursuing a research career

Preference will be given to students who have not participated previously in the Summer Research Program (SRP).

Students who are members of traditionally underrepresented groups, students who are first-generation students, students with disabilities, and women in STEM fields are particularly encouraged to apply.

A Faculty mentor is not required to be identified before you apply.

We will consider applications regardless of whether you are already working with a faculty or seeking a faculty mentor. If you are interested in starting the search first on your own, you're more than welcome to do so. If you are accepted into the program and do not have a mentor at that time, the program coordinator will assist you in looking for a research mentor ahead of the program start (ideally by mid-May). 

Identifying a faculty research mentor

• If you have done research prior to participating in this program (not required), you can continue working with a faculty research mentor you are currently working with or have worked with in the past. You can also choose to find a new faculty research mentor for this program.
• For tips on how to find a faculty mentor, visit our How to Find a Research Mentor page.
• The program coordinators are also available to help you find a mentor.

Expectations of faculty mentor - When contacting/meeting with potential mentors, be sure to share this list with them so they know the expectations before agreeing to be your mentor.

• Mentor and oversee the student's research/artistic endeavor/public service project. 
• Provide the student with resources and training as appropriate.
• Sponsor the student researcher in a 4-unit 199 Independent Study during the program (unless exemption form has been completed by student and mentor and submitted to the program coordinator). 
• Ensure that the student completes all training and certifications required by the field prior to starting any research. In some instances, this will include Laboratory Safety Training. 
• Understand that the student researcher is required to work at least 30 hours a week on research activities which I will assign. 
• Provide at least two hours a week of direct individual supervision or assign someone to assist the student in my stead. 
• Understand that there are programmatic requirements that may take the student away from research activities such as cohort meetings (1 hr/week), program seminars (1 hr/week), and other professional development activities throughout the summer. 
• Understand that the student is required to submit a research paper or final product. 
• Provide feedback on the student's research paper/final project.   
• Understand that the student researcher will present their research at the Summer Research Conference, typically at the end of Week 8 of the program. 
• Agree to approve the student’s abstract and oral presentation for the Summer Research Conference.  
• Time permitting, complete program surveys to provide useful feedback.  
• Optional: If possible, attend the Mentor Orientation Breakfast that takes place prior to the start of Summer Research Program.

There are 4 items required to apply to the UC Scholars Program:

1. Applications

• General Application and Undergraduate Application (When you finish the general application, you will be automatically directed to complete the undergraduate application).
• UC Scholars Application

• Current mentor status
  • If you are selected for this program, do you know who your research mentor will be?
    • Yes, I know who my research mentor will be (please provide the name and department below)
    • I do not yet know who my research mentor will be, but I have some ideas of potential research mentors (please provide name(s) and department(s) below)
    • I do not yet know who my research mentor will be, and I would like some assistance finding a mentor for the
  • If you know who your faculty research mentor will be, or if you have some prospective research mentors in mind, please provide their name(s) and department(s).
• General Research Area
  • What general area(s) does your (likely) research project fall under? (this may or may not be the same as your major)
    • Arts & Humanities
    • Data Science
    • Engineering
    • Life Sciences & Health Sciences
    • Physical Sciences
    • Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO)
    • Social Sciences
  • What is (are) your sub-field(s)?
• Previous research: Have you had any previous research experience? If yes, please describe it briefly and give us your role in the project. If no, please write “no” and this lack of experience will not count against you. (100 words or fewer)
• Interest in major: When did you become interested in your general field of interest? Tell us about how it led you to choose this major and what you like most about your major. What about it makes you passionate or excites you? (200 words or fewer)
• Why summer research: In general, why do you want to be in a summer research program? Additionally, what about this/these specific program(s) do you find especially appealing? (200 words or fewer)
• Past academic achievement or background relevant to research (Choose 1):
  
  • Describe one academic achievement that made you especially proud. Did you have to overcome any obstacles or challenges to achieve it? (max: 200 words)
  • Describe unique, personally important, and/or challenging factors in your background and how they relate to your research interests. (max: 200 words)
• Why research?: Why do you want to do research? Please include any information that might aid the selection committee in evaluating your interest in and potential for doing research. (max: 200 words)
• Future goals, degrees, career path: In a few sentences, briefly describe your future goals, including your future degree(s) and career path. It is fine if you are still undecided; please give us a few of the career paths you are considering. (max: 50 words)

3. Letter of recommendation

• Don't wait! We strongly advise that you contact your letter writer as soon as possible to ask whether they will write a letter on your behalf. 
• Who can write a letter of recommendation: Letters from faculty (professors) are preferred. Letters from supervisors in research-focused industry or organizations are also acceptable. Applicants who have transferred to UC San Diego this year sometimes obtain a letter from a professor at their former institution. Your letter of recommendation does not need to be from your intended mentor.
• Submitting the letter of recommendation: Applicants will provide the name and email address within the UC Scholars application of one person from whom they are requesting a letter of recommendation. Once an applicant saves the information about their letter-writer within the application, an email is automatically sent to that person asking them to login and upload the letter.

4. Copies of transcripts

• A copy of your unofficial UC San Diego transcript - (How to download your transcript)
  
  • If you completed coursework prior to attending UC San Diego (e.g., transfer credits), they will appear on your UC San Diego transcript. You do not need to upload transfer transcripts.