2020 Summer Research Program (SURF)

Application for Participation Submit materials to:

Graduate Division
120 Aldrich Hall
Zot Code 3180

Program Dates: June 21 – August 14, 2020

Application Deadline: February 5, 2020

The Summer Research Program (SRP) Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is a
competitive program for upper division undergraduate students, and master’s students from diverse
backgrounds with outstanding academic potential. The program is designed for students who plan to
enter academic careers, and are especially interested in pursuing a doctoral degree at UC Irvine.
Participants in SURF conduct research under the direct supervision and guidance of a UC Irvine
faculty member, graduate student, and/or postdoctoral mentor. The mentor (not the student)
selects the research project. Students identify and secure a faculty mentor whose special expertise
and interests match those of the student’s.

Major components of the program are the supplemental activities designed to enhance the research
experience and graduate preparation of the participants. Students are required to attend GRE test
preparation courses as well as take the GRE exam in August. SRP features workshops and seminars
on strategies to improve the likelihood of success in applying to graduate school.

The goal of the summer research program is to increase the level of diversity among students who
enter Ph.D. programs at UC Irvine, and who want to pursue careers in university teaching and
research by providing research opportunities to undergraduate and master’s students who have been
underserved.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill out an application via Google Forms here.

2. Submit the following application materials directly onto the Google Form
a. a two page personal statement
b. an unofficial transcript of all college coursework
3. Letter of recommendation must be submitted electronically by recommender by emailing
diversity@rgs.uci.edu. The email should include the following:
a. Letter of recommendation form with the first part of the form filled out by the applicant. The
second part of the form should be completed by the recommender. This form should be
emailed by the recommender (see form below).
b. The letter from the recommender must be submitted in a university letterhead.

UCI Graduate Division Revision date: 11/2019

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Personal Statement should answer the following prompt, typed and not exceed two double
spaced pages, 12-pt font

Please state your reason for applying to the UC Irvine Summer Research Program; include research
experience (if applicable), educational goals, research area of interest, and future professional and personal
objectives. Indicate if you have particular experiences that qualify you to undertake such research and any
additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation, potential, and
aptitude for graduate study. If you have encountered special personal situations in high school or college that
impeded your studies (e.g., first generation to attend college, working long hours while attending school, or
other financial hardship) please discuss the ways in which these experiences have affected your academic
opportunities. Explain why UCI is a good match for your summer goals. Also, please discuss how your prior
life experiences (academic, professional, volunteer, etc.) demonstrate commitment to graduate education,
especially at UC Irvine.

Letter of recommendation
First part of the form must be completed by the student. The second part should be completed by the
recommender.
a. The letter of recommendation must be from a college faculty member who can best assess your
ability for academic research and your motivation for graduate school
b. Both parts of the form should be completed

Completed application materials must be received by February 5, 2020. No applications will be

accepted by FAX. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Admission to the summer program
will be announced in early April. Students will be notified by email.

For additional information, contact:

Mariela Menendez
University of California, Irvine
Graduate Division
120 Aldrich Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-3180
mmenend1@uci.edu

UCI Graduate Division Revision date: 11/2019

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 2020 Summer Research Program (SURF)
Letter of Recommendation Submit materials to:
Graduate Division
120 Aldrich Hall
Zot Code 3180

THIS SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT

Applicant: Complete this first section only. Please type. Give this form to a faculty member whom you have asked to recommend
you. The recommender should email the completed form to diversity@rgs.uci.edu by February 5, 2020.

Applicant’s Name: (Last)       (First)       (Middle)      

Recommender’s Name: (Last)       (First)       (Middle)      

Recommender’s Institution:      

Recommender’s Department:      

Recommender’s Email:      

In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, you may waive your rights to inspect this recommendation by signing the
statement below. Should you decide not to waive your rights, you will have access to the recommendation once you become a program participant.

I hereby waive do not waive my right of access to this document.

Applicant’s Signature:       Date:      

THIS SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY RECOMMENDER

Please email form along with letter of recommendation to diversity@rgs.uci.edu

1 How long and in what capacity have you known this applicant?      
.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2 Using a 10-point scale, please rate this applicant:

.
1-4 Poor 5-7 Fair 8-9 Good 10 Excellent

Past Academic Performance       Creativity and Originality      

Intellectual Potential       Motivation for Graduate Study      
Individual Maturity       Team Player      

3 Please write a statement about the applicant on school letterhead. Please write candidly about the student’s qualifications and
. potential for research as well as academic success. In describing attributes such as motivation, intellect, and maturity, describe
both strong and weak points.

Recommender’s Electronic Signature:       Date:      

UCI Graduate Division Revision date: 11/2019

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