The Summer Research Internship is often a life-changing experience. You and other students in a wide variety of majors will spend 10 weeks this summer working intensely with a faculty member in a mentor/protégé relationship to design, conduct and present a scholarly research paper. You will interact with student researchers, faculty and graduate students in different areas of study, use state-of-the-art equipment, and attend seminars on the nature of graduate academic life. You will also prepare to take the GRE, and receive counseling on gaining admission to graduate school and available funding opportunities. You will devote at least 40 hours a week to your research and other scholarly activities. At the end of the Summer Research Internship you will present an abstract, and a poster and oral presentation to your peers, mentors, and the University community.
You will learn to plan and conduct research in your field. You will also attend seminars, participate in field trips, use state-of-the-art equipment, prepare for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and attend a two and a half day exploratory retreat. The retreat will take place in June at Camp Alta Mons which will give you the opportunity to enhance your personal growth. At the conclusion of the program, you and other student interns present your research to student colleagues, faculty mentors, and visitors. The research and abstract is presented using a poster board format and oral presentation. This event takes place Research Symposium during the last week of the program. The program is open to undergraduates from around the country. Participants are selected based on academic achievement, commitment to pursue graduate education, and match of interest with an available faculty mentor.
Since many summer interns eventually enroll in graduate school at Virginia Tech or elsewhere, this program has been an especially effective way to invest in and prepare a talented, diverse group of students for eventual enrollment in graduate programs. Student interns have been very successful in obtaining graduate degrees and adding to the diversity of their institutions and their professional fields.
Advantages of a Summer Research Internship
Gain confidence that you are capable of doing graduate level research and would be successful as a graduate student;
Network with your peers, your faculty mentor, other departmental members, administrators, and the general community;
Prepare yourself to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in a classroom setting conducted by professional instructors;
Learn how to enhance your leadership, presentation and communication skills;
Establish such a positive relationship with your mentor and the department of your interest that graduate opportunity will be offered to you.
Program Dates
Arrival Date: May 25, 2008 Program duration:May 25, 2008– August 1, 2008 .
Intern Support
Students are paid a stipend of $2500, free room and board and a free and mandatory ten-week Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test preparation class. Participants will also be provided with many weekend activities of their choice and trips to nearby attractions.
Part I Contact Information
Part II Academic Information Send an official transcript (see contact information below)
Part III Essay- Essay is free of grammar/spelling errors and 250 words or less.
Part IV Areas of Research Interest-Four areas of research interests are checked.
Part V Recommendations-Recommender information is complete with signatures.
Please remember to submit TWO recommendations, with one being from your academic advisor.
If you are mailing your Application, please mail material to:
Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP)
Summer Research Internship Program
110 Femoyer Hall (0276)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA 24061
Deadline for Applying
Please note for Summer Internship 2008, the deadline for submitting the completed application is March 1, 2008. Announcement of participants will be made after April 1 , yearly.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, gender, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity.
| Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program |110 Femoyer Hall (0276) Blacksburg, VA, 24061| Virginia Tech|
