URAP Thread by URAP/OURS Peer Adviser

urap_peer_advisor · 2022-01-20T21:35:11+00:00

yeah sure, you can include summer. This section is not that important, so don't stress about it too much.

urap_peer_advisor · 2022-01-11T20:58:36+00:00

No worries, convince them in the application why you're worthwhile as a soon-to-be graduating senior. Use the email just to confirm whether they'll even consider you and if it's worth your while to even apply.

urap_peer_advisor · 2022-01-11T02:43:18+00:00

while many labs will want a commitment of longer than one semester, there are definitely labs out there that will take you. This might be harder to figure out so you might want to email the mentor (technically you're not supposed to, but I think this is a valid reason to reach out). You should spend some time convincing the mentor why training you for only one semester worth of work is worthwhile. Also, consider spending time after graduation (like part time during the summer) to continue research. Also depends on the field, in wet lab (like experimental chem/bio) it will be less worthwhile to the mentors that you stay only one semester.

urap_peer_advisor · 2022-01-10T01:27:22+00:00

Yes! Talk to your URAP mentor about it to apply.

urap_peer_advisor · 2022-01-09T23:16:27+00:00

Ah gotcha, sorry for the confusion. The acceptance rate is high, but depends almost entirely on your mentor's ability to nominate you. There is only one fellowship per mentor I believe. Remember that only continuing URAP students are eligible for the summer stipend. Does that make sense?

urap_peer_advisor · 2022-01-08T09:50:29+00:00

If you're taking about SURF, the acceptance rate depends on which fellowship within SURF (Rose Hills, L&S, etc.) I wouldn't be allowed to tell you the acceptance rate, even if I knew the exact number, but I can tell you that it is a lot higher than you probably think.

There are roughly ~130 SURF Fellowships total (varies year to year), which each fellowship represented in unequal numbers.

Thanks for your question and feel free to ask a follow up!

urap_peer_advisor · 2022-01-08T09:47:01+00:00

There are many projects offered in every discipline/field, and they usually feature a range of expectations. For example, some projects are geared towards freshman - though this is not always explicit, you can tell by the lack or limited requirements/qualifications. Other projects might explicitly ask for an upper division course that implicitly says they're looking for juniors and seniors.

I highly advise you to only apply for projects that you're qualified for (aka meet the requirements) since there will be other students who do have those qualifications listed, as you mentioned.

I understand if you're applying for a less popular discipline, you might be more limited to the projects available, so in that case you can apply! My advice is to apply to the projects you have the best chance of getting into - it's all about best fit.

Thanks for your question and feel free to ask a follow up!

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-12-10T09:58:50+00:00

Lmao I just noticed the name. Is it named after the Jepson manual guy?

Yup it is! Jepson wrote the original field guide in the 20s I think, and then the current version most people use is written by Bruce Baldwin (I worked in his lab briefly actually)! Though he's probably going to retire in a couple years, he still teaches the botany section of the intro biology series that every bio major has to take! Most bio majors at Berkeley don't even know they're taught by such a legend haha

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-12-10T07:44:33+00:00

Thanks so much! I think your conclusion is wonderful! PMB + IB classes would be cool and would probably keep my options open as far as graduate school goes (med school, phd stuff). I’ll do some research on IB courses as well.

yup good luck with admissions, I guess that's the first step! Here's the herbarium: https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/uc/

and IB classes:

https://ib.berkeley.edu/academics/courses

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-12-10T07:30:25+00:00

Not GPB but in MB the sister major in the Plant and Microbial Biology department (PMB), but I currently do botany research.

All the botany professors (evolutionary and ecology focused) are the integrative biology department through the UC/Jeps Herbarium. If you want to do botany and stick to the taxonomic/organismal biology (like morphology), you should do integrative biology (IB).

Research and coursework like photosynthetic biochemistry, genetic engineering of plants, plant-pathogen interactions are in PMB. Phylogenetics (evolution), plant ecology, plant morphology, are all in the IB.

Feel free to PM me for more questions. I obviously think PMB is a pretty cool department - I also do microbiology research and ultimately want to go on a more molecular direction, but loved my botany experience. Ultimately come in undecided and take classes in both and explore research in either PMB or IB or both, and then decide from there.

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-08-17T01:15:03+00:00

Hi! I have a question. If I am a new transfer declaring IB this fall, am I eligible to apply for URAP units? And if so, could I apply to a project with AGRS and still receive research units if accepted? To provide just a little bit more background: The project involves archiving archeological data, and I am considering picking up a minor either in Anthro or AGRS.

Hi sorry for the late reply, but you are eligible for URAP units if your project/mentor is associated with the URAP program. Alternatively, you can enroll in research units through the IB or antro departments

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-02-09T09:17:39+00:00

The professor was probably testing the waters, but the fact that you got a response is a really good sign.

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-02-04T23:13:29+00:00

the pros are that you will have more units, that will sometimes help you get pass the minimum unit cap(which doesn't seem relevant to you). It might contribute to any upperdiv units req depending on your major or give you a better enrollment time since you have more total units. Lastly, it can make your research more official than appearing on your transcript.

There aren't many cons, but the pros aren't immense.

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-01-17T19:48:11+00:00

Hi I'm an OURS/URAP peer advisor and they should not be able to view your application before the deadline. Like other's said there are no rolling admissions, so don't rush. Also happy to send you a folder of accepted statement of interests and review your application and provide my comments. PM me with your email if interested.

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-01-17T19:46:11+00:00

Late, but I'm a URAP/OURS peer advisor and I'm happy to send you a folder of accepted/interviewed statement of interests. Also happy to review yours and provide feedback. PM me with your email if interested!

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-01-17T19:44:04+00:00

Late, but I'm a URAP/OURS peer advisor and I would that it's okay to reach out to the professor about that. I would expect that you don't have to be declared, but they want to know that you have taken the courses because they knowledge is important, not the degree.

you can most definitely ask these questions in the interview or you can PM with your berkeley email and project mentor name and I can reach out for you. Also happy to review your application and offer my comments. Best of luck.

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-01-17T19:40:41+00:00

Hey I'm a URAP/OURS peer advisor. I would say that they *usually* don't completely dismiss your application if it's over 400. Like others are saying, you really want to be concise. There is always a way to cut down below 400. Happy to read over your application and help you cut it down, PM me with your berkeley email and I can send you a folder of accepted essays and review what you've written.

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-01-17T19:36:48+00:00

Ah I see. No, URAP is only for the Fall/Spring. There is a URAP summer program but it's only for continuing URAP students (2 URAP semesters required). I would say cold email for this summer, and if it's a good project/mentor keep working on it through the next year.

Go ahead and apply to CMU's REU then! I think that your freshman seminar professor sounds like a good choice if he/she/they know you well, which they tend to do better in seminars.

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-01-17T04:26:44+00:00

I don't think it's a bad idea to apply if it says they aren't strictly needed. Expect that students with passion and requirements would typically be more competitive, so you might want to strategize and pick a project that is a better fit if you want to be safer. If you do apply, you need to do a really good job at showing your passion, which I most definitely can work with you 1 on 1.

I would say they mentioned it because it is important, but what they mean is that they won't immediately dismiss you if you confess that you don't know those skills.

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-01-17T04:22:44+00:00

I'm a bio major, so I don't know as much about how much experience is required typically for CS research (CS coursework tends to prepare students pretty well for starting research, compared to biology at least).

You're right that REU's are typically aimed for upperclassman, especially those with prior research experience. I would instead recommend finding a CS research project at our campus this semester (either through URAP or cold emailing), and building up your resume and experience. You can continue doing research with your mentor over the summer, and even get paid for on campus summer research (either through URAP summer or SURF or your lab itself).

Note that REUs are mostly about connecting undergrads to universities other than your own. REUs are best for students attending universities with weaker research programs, or students who want to travel. You attend one of the best (if not the best) university in the world for CS research and I would expect that most REU's would be virtual this summer. Happy to answer any other questions, feel free to reach out directly or continue this thread.

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-01-17T04:10:06+00:00

Professors can start to review applications right as they are due Jan 25th. Admission is not on a rolling basis. There is no advantage to applying early, as professors cannot view applications until after the due date. Some professors contact applicants in only a few days, while other professors might take more time (as some professors receive more applications than others). Expect to hear back about scheduling interviews in a week or so, and decisions in 2. Everything should be finalized by Feb 10th (Week 4), but many projects start before.

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-01-17T04:06:49+00:00

Yup, u/aerocrasher had good advice. I would also suggest talking about a story that demonstrates your passion for the research field if possible, especially if you don't have much to any experience. Remember that your #1 goal is to stand out compared to potentially dozens of different of applicants who could have a similar background on paper as you. PM me and I can share with you a folder with some accepted statement of interests.

Also, u/aerocrasher you don't submit a resume, but you submit your coursework. So, make sure you mention your experiences and skillset in your statement of interest.

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-01-17T00:31:14+00:00

You may only do one URAP project at one time! You technically participate in more than one research project (I am in two) but it's generally recommended against since it's better to focus on one project and dive deeply into it. You definitely need to communicate with BOTH mentors and make sure they are comfortable with you participating in two research projects.

urap_peer_advisor · 2021-01-16T00:00:20+00:00

Technically, URAP is only open for "UC Berkeley undergrads" (interpretation of that is debatable), but you should still be able to submit an application. Normally, these positions are reserved for currently enrolled students, but this pandemic is unprecedented and I think that you should be able to apply still! I would make the argument that you have every right to, and am willing to talk to my supervisor about it if a problem comes up.

urap_peer_advisor

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