REU Programs
I know this isn't technically related to grad school, but I've seen REU's come up in here sometimes, mods feel free to let me know if I need to delete it. :)
I talked with my advisor about REU programs for the summer, and he told me that like undergrad colleges, REU's vary in how competitive they are. He told me to apply to "lots of places", and the the entrance essays/pseudo-SOPs are more important than GPA. How true is that?
I'm a non-graduating senior (I transferred, courses didn't work out...) that would like to do summer research in either/both community or behavioral ecology. I've never officially done research, but this past summer a class I was in helped a prof do some research on alpine plants. The summer before that, I was a "technician" at a fish hatchery. My GPA is low (2.92) compared to what I've seen this community, and it's making me wonder if I even have a chance. I have a good track record as far as essays go, so I'm aiming for an REU program. I'm especially gifted in second-guessing myself and talking myself out of things, which is the reason for the post.
So, basically, my questions for you all: 1) Are REU's hard to get into? 2)Exactly how important is GPA? 3)Are my 'research' experiences enough, or do these kinds of grants generally go to the people that have basically been doing undergrad research since they stepped foot on campus? 4) This depends on the competitive-ness of the programs...but how many are "lots of places"? 3? 8? ?? 5)I'm having a hell of a time finding 6 'science people' to write me recommendation letters, and each program requires two. Our biology department only has roughly 8 profs, and I haven't taken courses from all of them. Any advice on that?
Thanks for your help!
I talked with my advisor about REU programs for the summer, and he told me that like undergrad colleges, REU's vary in how competitive they are. He told me to apply to "lots of places", and the the entrance essays/pseudo-SOPs are more important than GPA. How true is that?
I'm a non-graduating senior (I transferred, courses didn't work out...) that would like to do summer research in either/both community or behavioral ecology. I've never officially done research, but this past summer a class I was in helped a prof do some research on alpine plants. The summer before that, I was a "technician" at a fish hatchery. My GPA is low (2.92) compared to what I've seen this community, and it's making me wonder if I even have a chance. I have a good track record as far as essays go, so I'm aiming for an REU program. I'm especially gifted in second-guessing myself and talking myself out of things, which is the reason for the post.
So, basically, my questions for you all: 1) Are REU's hard to get into? 2)Exactly how important is GPA? 3)Are my 'research' experiences enough, or do these kinds of grants generally go to the people that have basically been doing undergrad research since they stepped foot on campus? 4) This depends on the competitive-ness of the programs...but how many are "lots of places"? 3? 8? ?? 5)I'm having a hell of a time finding 6 'science people' to write me recommendation letters, and each program requires two. Our biology department only has roughly 8 profs, and I haven't taken courses from all of them. Any advice on that?
Thanks for your help!