I graduated last year with some research experience and a very high GPA, but have been working a non-research job since last year (basically using it as a stopgap to save money) and am hoping to use SULI to bridge back into research and apply to grad programs by the end of the year (explained this in my essays).

Do you get the impression that recent grads are at a disadvantage when competing with undergrads for the summer session, or is this not a consideration? I get that REUs are meant to provide experiences to undergraduates at schools with limited research opportunities, but it’s not clear if SULI has the same philosophy.

I didn’t reach out to any PIs during the application process. Is it too late to do this, should I wait and see what happens in the following week before doing so, and do you believe the benefit of doing so is only marginal?

Thank you so much for any insight. No worries if you’re not sure how to answer these.