1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Colleges & Schools
  4. College of Science
  5. Departments
  6. Marine Science
  7. Research Labs and Programs
  8. Research Experiences for Undergraduates
  9. Application Resources/Guide

Application Resources/Guide

Research Experiences for Undergraduates
On this page, we have compiled resources to help applicants put together a competitive application for our program.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Statement of Purpose - Essay portion that explains your motivation, achievement, research interests, and aspirations (academic and/or career). This portion also gives you the opportunity to address what might appear to be gaps or weaknesses in other parts of your application. It is better to explain your side so these gaps or weaknesses do not detract from your strengths.

Guiding Questions (Use these as starting points to finding three or four important themes for you to develop throughout your essay.)

  • Describe the areas of research in the marine geosciences that interest you most, your personal goals for this internship, and indicate your preference for working in office, lab, or field settings.
  • Write about what your career goals are and how participating in this REU program will help you meet these goals.
  • What unique qualities and characteristics will you bring to our program?
    • CMEP is dedicated to enhancing the diversity of future scientific communities and sharing our science with a broader audience. Please describe how you, based on your personal background and life experiences (including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges) will contribute to this mission during and after participation in CMEP programs.

Tips

  • Start early and plan - Lay out deadlines for several drafts and rounds of editing
  • Keep in mind these questions when writing and editing - Will someone who doesn't know me get the right ideas from what I've written? Does my draft say what I want it to say, clearly and concisely, in my own voice? Does my essay follow the guidelines given?

ADDITIONAL QUESTION IN ETAP

These additional questions in ETAP are meant to give you an opportunity to explain your motivation, achievement, research interests, and aspirations (academic and/or career). This portion also gives you the opportunity to address what might appear to be gaps or weaknesses in other parts of your application. It is better to explain your side so these gaps or weaknesses do not detract from your strengths. 

Please prepare your answers to the following 10 additional questions and then submit them in the ETAP CSUMB REU application.

Question #1: Describe the areas of research in the marine geosciences that interest you most, your personal goals for this internship, and indicate your preference for working in office, lab, or field settings. (200-300 words)

Question #2: Write about what your career goals are and how participating in this REU program will help you meet these goals. (200-300 words)

Question #3: What unique qualities and characteristics will you bring to our program? (you can also add an explanation to what might appear to be gaps or weaknesses in other parts of your application. Feel free to explain your side so these gaps or weaknesses do not detract from your strengths.) (300-400 words)

Question #4: This REU program is dedicated to enhancing the diversity of future scientific communities and sharing our science with a broader audience. Please describe how you, based on your personal background and life experiences (including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges) will contribute to this mission during and after participation in this REU. (200-300 words)

Question #5: Please review the mentors and projects list and list the name of who you are most interested in working with as your first choice (REU Mentor #1). 

Question #6: REU Mentor #1 Explanation: Please explain why you chose REU Mentor #1. (50-100 words)

Question #7: Please review the mentors and projects list and list the name of who you are most interested in working with as your second choice (REU Mentor #2). 

Question #8: REU Mentor #2 Explanation: Please explain why you chose REU Mentor #2. (50-100 words)

Question #9: Please review the mentors and projects list and list the name of who you are most interested in working with as your third choice (REU Mentor #3). 

Question #10: REU Mentor #3 Explanation: Please explain why you chose REU Mentor #3. (50-100 words)

CURRICULUM VITAE / Résumé

Curriculum Vitae (CV) - Also known as an academic résumé, this is a summary of your educational and academic background, representing who you are as a researcher or publishing scholar within your discipline. Length is not a limitation, unlike a traditional résumé.

Structure

  • Sections (not all of these are needed) - Heading, Education, Research Interests, Professional History/Research Experiences, Qualifications/Skills/Relevant Courses/Licenses & Certifications, Honors & Awards/Leadership & Service, Publications/Presentations/Professional Affiliations
  • List experiences/courses in reverse chronological order
  • Create a separate entry for each experience/course 
    • Explain what you did that aligns with your goals and achievements/leadership
    • Use bullet points and shortened sentences
    • Although length is not an issue, be sure your CV is concise and easy to scan

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

These letters are evaluations of your talents and abilities, usually written by a faculty member, supervisor, or mentor. 

  • Build a relationship with your recommender - Your recommender will be able to write a more authentic letter if they have connected with you and have experience working with you.
  • Provide recommenders plenty of notice - Approach your recommenders at least one month before your letters of recommendation are due. For our program, please notify your recommenders they will be contacted for a letter if your application is shortlisted and you are invited for an interview (early March).
  • Provide recommenders all necessary information - Be sure to provide your recommenders information about the program you are applying for, your application materials (statement of purpose, CV, and transcripts), and samples of your work and/or a list of projects 

**UPDATE ON LETTERS OR RECOMMENDATION: Our program previously did not require letters of recommendation at time of submission, only contact information. Now that our applications are handled directly by NSF's ETAP portal, they require letters of recommendation at time of submission of the complete REU application.  We apologize for any confusion prior wording on a certain part of the application website may have caused.