Multicultural Academic Opportunity Program

Undergraduate Summer Research Internship

About the Program

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 also attend a two and a half day exploratory retreat. The retreat will take place at Camp Alta Mons, June 11th - 13th, and will give you the opportunity to enhance your personal growth.

You will devote at least 40 hours a week to your research and other scholarly activities.

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 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;

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  • 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 23, 2010
  • Program duration: May 23, 2010 – July 30, 2010
  • 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.

     

MAOP Office Contact Information:
Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP)
Summer Research Internship Program
110 Femoyer Hall (0276)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Dr. Eric Williams, Director

540-231-5023 phone

540-231-2618 fax

erwilli3@vt.edu