The SMART Program at the University of Colorado at Boulder The Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training, or SMART, program, is a 10- week research internship that prepares undergraduates for graduate programs in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Each summer, 25 students from institutions nation-wide participate in research and attend weekly workshops on scientific writing and presenting, GRE preparation, and the application process for graduate school. Under the guidance of faculty mentors, students carry out and formally present individual research projects in their area of interest. Faculty Mentors The CU-Boulder faculty members serve as mentors for the SMART interns' research projects. Mentors, who volunteer their time, are chosen for their excellence in research and scholarly work and their commitment to undergraduate research. The mentors themselves review applications and select SMART interns. Most interns take part in the on-going research programs of their mentors. SMART students receive information about their mentor and his or her research when they are accepted into the program. SMAT Academic Areas: Interns may conduct research in 18 academic areas. These areas include: Aerospace Engineering Sciences Applied Mathematics Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Behavioral Genetics Biology: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Biology: Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology Chemical and Biological Engineering Chemistry and Biochemistry Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering Computer Science Electrical and Computer Engineering Geological Sciences Mathematics Mechanical Engineering Neuroscience Physics Selection The SMART program is an introduction to research at a major research institution; students are not expected to have prior research experience. However, students must demonstrate strong academic abilities and the maturity to work independently. Typically, student with less than a 3.0 are not admitted.
Eligibility. Students Must: Be US citizens or permanent residents Have completed their second year of undergraduate study (the equivalent of 60 semester credit hours) by June of the year during which they apply Not earn a BA/BS before December of the year they participate Be 18 years or older Financial Compensation Participants receive: Round-trip travel Room and board in a campus residence hall 3 credits of upper-division independent study credit $3,000 stipend Application Deadline: Application materials must be postmarked no later than February 15. Applicants should send all information to: SMART Program University of Colorado UCB 347 Boulder, CO 80309-0347 For more information, please visit www.colorado.edu/graduateschool/smart/smartwebsite or contact the SMART office at the University of Colorado at Boulder: 303-492-4607 or at smart@colorado.edu 2008 SMART Student Application A complete SMART application consists of: A letter of interest (guidelines below) A two-page application form Two letters of recommendation Transcripts from all institutions attended Letter of Interest To the applicant: Please describe on separate sheets (2-3 typed pages) your interest in the SMART program. Your personal academic statement should explain why you want to participate in the SMART program, what you hope to gain from the program, and how this research experience will help you achieve your academic and career goals. Your statement should include a description of: Your specific research interests Any relevant research experience you have had in an academic or work setting; Your goals beyond earning a baccalaureate degree The qualities you would contribute to the SMART program and how those qualities would benefit both the program and its participants
Please note that the letter of interest is the most important part of your application. Successful applicants are those who can demonstrate an understanding of research topics in their field and can express a particular interest in one or two areas. SMART staff members are available to answer any questions applicants may have regarding their letters of interest. Please make use of this resource. Please type your name on your letter of interest, and make sure that the print is clear enough to be legible when photocopied or scanned. Transcripts To the applicant: Please submit a student copy of your transcripts with your application and have official transcripts from all institutions you attended sent directly to the SMART office.
2008 SMART Student Application Please type or print clearly Full Legal Name Last First Middle Social Security Number Permanent Mailing Address Number and Street or P.O. Box City State Zip Area Code Home Telephone Cell Phone Current Mailing Address Good Until / / Number and Street or P.O. Box City State Zip Area Code Home Telephone Area Code Work Telephone E-mail address: Address Alternate E-mail Birth (mm/dd/yyyy) Gender Male Female Race/Ethnicity If your race/ethnicity is American Indian or Alaska Native, please specify: Tribal Affiliation Tribal Enrollment Number Current Undergraduate Institution Institution Major Minor Overall GPA Major GPA Total Credit Hours as of June 2008 Expected of Graduation Do you have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent? Yes No If yes: Degree Degree Institution that awarded degree
Academic Interest After receiving your undergraduate degree, are you interested in Graduate School Medical School Law School Business School Other Professional School Full-Time Employment I am not sure at this time SMART Interest Indicate the academic area(s) to which you are applying in the SMART Program. (you may choose a maximum of 3 from the list of departments) Current Coursework List all courses you are currently taking: Parents Education Status Educational attainment of mother Highest grade completed: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 College degree earned, if any: Bachelor s Master s Doctorate Educational attainment of father Highest grade completed: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 College degree earned, if any: Bachelor s Master s Doctorate With whom did you regularly reside and receive support from before the age of 18? Mother only Father only Both Other Are you currently a McNair Scholar MBRS/MARC Scholar NIMH-COR Scholar Country of Citizenship Alien Status Registration Number Have you ever been convicted of a crime, made a plea of guilty, accepted a deferred judgment, been adjudicated, or been required to register as a sex offender? Yes If yes, you must complete the required CE supplemental form. No For other than academic reasons, have you ever been placed on probation, suspended, or expelled from any high school or postsecondary institution? Yes No If yes, you must include a written explanation. I hereby certify to the best of my knowledge that the information furnished on this application is true and complete without evasion or misrepresentation. I understand that if found to be otherwise, it is sufficient cause for rejection or dismissal. Applicant s Signature
University of Colorado at Boulder Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training (SMART) Program Recommendation Form APPLICANT Applicant's Name: Recommender's Name: Waiver (optional): In accordance with the Family Education and Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, you may waive the right to review this recommendation by signing below. If you do not waive the right, you will have access to this recommendation should you become a SMART program participant. I hereby waive my right of access to this letter of recommendation: Applicant's Signature RECOMMENDER PART I The applicant named above is applying for admission into the University of Colorado's Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training (SMART) program. Please rate the applicant in comparison with other students in the same area with similar experience. Average or below Average Good Top 40% Excellent Top 25% Outstanding Top 10% Unable to Observe Overall academic performance Intellectual potential Analytical ability Creativity and originality Independence and initiative Oral communication skills Written communication skills Motivation for graduate school Maturity for graduate school
RECOMMENDER PART II On a separate sheet, please comment on: the applicant's academic performance the applicant's potential for success in an intensive research internship program and in graduate school the applicant's maturity and motivation for graduate school Please send this form and your signed letter to the following address by February 15. Recommender's Name: Title: Address: Telephone Number: Email Address: SMART Program University of Colorado UCB 347 Boulder, CO 80309-0347 Recommender's Signature
University of Colorado at Boulder Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training (SMART) Program Recommendation Form APPLICANT Applicant's Name: Recommender's Name: Waiver (optional): In accordance with the Family Education and Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, you may waive the right to review this recommendation by signing below. If you do not waive the right, you will have access to this recommendation should you become a SMART program participant. I hereby waive my right of access to this letter of recommendation: Applicant's Signature RECOMMENDER PART I The applicant named above is applying for admission into the University of Colorado's Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training (SMART) program. Please rate the applicant in comparison with other students in the same area with similar experience. Average or below Average Good Top 40% Excellent Top 25% Outstanding Top 10% Unable to Observe Overall academic performance Intellectual potential Analytical ability Creativity and originality Independence and initiative Oral communication skills Written communication skills Motivation for graduate school Maturity for graduate school
RECOMMENDER PART II On a separate sheet, please comment on: the applicant's academic performance the applicant's potential for success in an intensive research internship program and in graduate school the applicant's maturity and motivation for graduate school Please send this form and your signed letter to the following address by February 15. Recommender's Name: Title: Address: Telephone Number: Email Address: SMART Program UCB 347 University of Colorado Boulder, CO 80309-0347 Recommender's Signature