GSAS-Leadership Alliance Summer Research Program
Program Dates: June 2 - August 3, 2013
Application Deadline: Friday, February 22, 2013
Welcome C3-LADO Students!
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences welcomes applications for the Summer Research Program from students in the Creating Connections Consortium (C3) and students from Liberal Arts Diversity Officers Organizations (LADO) institutions.
The C3 consists of Middlebury College, Williams College, and Connecticut College; a list of LADO institutions is available on the GSAS website.
The Summer Research Program gives undergraduates from groups underrepresented in academia the opportunity to conduct research alongside a Columbia faculty mentor. See below for a complete description of the program, or apply today using the special application for C3-LADO students (.pdf).
Program Overview
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences hosts the eight- to ten-week Summer Research Program (SRP) for undergraduates from groups that have been historically underrepresented in academia. Participants conduct graduate-level research under the supervision of a Columbia faculty mentor, approximating the graduate experience through exposure to the mentor/advisee relationship, scholarly research opportunities, and independent living.
The aim of the program is to foster a deeper knowledge of the field in question, to hone skills that are necessary for success in doctoral study, and to encourage students to pursue academic careers. The SRP does not offer preparation for the professional schools (e.g. business, education, engineering, journalism, medical, law, and social work).
The Summer Research Program began at Columbia in 1989 and is hosted in conjunction with The Leadership Alliance, a consortium of 32 institutions of higher learning that has a mission of helping underrepresented students develop into outstanding leaders and role models in academia, business, and the public sector.
Faculty and Research
Each student undertakes a discipline-appropriate summer research project in collaboration with a chosen faculty mentor. Students are typically integrated into ongoing research projects in which they work closely with faculty and graduate students, but they may also pursue projects of their own devising.
Professionalization
Beyond research, SRP students take part in a number of other professional activities, including weekly seminars and workshops, symposia, and a number of group events both on and off campus. These include tutorials on the graduate school application process, oral presentation for conferences, and the Scholarly Journey series, in which advanced Columbia graduate students, faculty, and professionals with doctoral degrees share their intellectual biographies, offer advice, and discuss opportunities in academia and the private sector. During the weekly seminars, students have ample opportunity to discuss their research projects.
Meetings
Meetings with staff and mentors provide an informal setting for discussions of varied topics such as the nature, rewards, and challenges of a research career in academia or the private world.
Symposia
Students present their research to faculty, graduate students, and administrators at the Columbia Symposium. Students also attend the annual national Leadership Alliance Summer Symposium.
Participating Departments
Research internships may be available in the following departments or disciplines of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences:
Humanities
- Art History and Archaeology
- English and Comparative Literature
- Latin American and Iberian Cultures
- Music
- Philosophy
- Religion
Social Sciences
- Anthropology
- History
- Political Science
- Sociology
Natural Sciences
- Astronomy
- Biological Sciences
- Chemistry
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology
- Mathematics (theoretical, pure)
- Physics (theoretical, experimental)
- Psychology (psychobiology, cognitive, social personality, neuroscience, sensation and perception only)
Biomedical Sciences
Please click here for more information on programs of the integrated Biomedical Sciences programs and Ph.D. programs.
How to Apply
The GSAS-Leadership Alliance Summer Research Program (SRP) seeks talented undergraduate students who have a passion for scholarly or scientific research and demonstrate academic promise in research and/or teaching in the natural sciences, the humanities, and the social sciences.
Deadline
Friday, February 22, 2013
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be entering Junior or Senior year in college in fall 2013
- Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- Have a 3.0 grade-point average (GPA) or higher
- Show potential for doctoral study in proposed field
- Belong to a group historically underrepresented in academia, and have therefore overcome challenges or hardships related to race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic background, family history of post-baccalaureate opportunity, gender, sexual orientation, or disability
Note: Columbia University and Barnard undergraduates are not eligible for the Columbia GSAS summer program, but may apply to other Leadership Alliance sites if they meet the Alliance’s criteria.
Application Materials
- Completed application form (see Application Form below)
- Two letters of recommendation from faculty
- Official academic transcript(s) for all colleges attended
- Statement of purpose (see Application Instructions below)
- Curriculum vitae
The fellowship package consists of:
Accommodations: Housing is provided on Columbia's Morningside Heights campus for the duration of the program (June 2 - August 3, 2013). All SRP students are required to reside on campus while enrolled in the program.
Transportation: Reasonable travel costs to and from Columbia University to a maximum of $500 are covered, if necessary.
Stipend: Students receive a stipend of $5,000 to cover living expenses.
Meals: No meal plan is provided, but all weekly meetings, seminars, workshops, and special events are catered.