Application Timeline

Note: This is a good timeline for application deadlines in late January. Adjust your timeline for earlier or later deadlines.

For most applications you will need:
a personal research statement
2 references
academic transcripts
personal information form

December

Choose 10+ programs that interest you.
Download application materials and find out about deadlines (which vary with institution).
Contact your advisor and another professor who knows you well about writing a letters of recommendation before you leave for winter break.

Early January

Draft your personal statements.
Check with your letter writers and give them a gentle reminder about application deadlines.
Request transcripts.

Late January

Submit your personal statements and general applications.
Check with programs to make sure your materials have all been received.

General tips:

When asking for letters of recommendation, include addressed, stamped envelopes and ask far in advance of application deadlines.
Talk to other students who have done research about how they got involved.
When writing a personal statement, having a general statement is okay, but the more specific you can make it to the individual program, the higher your chances of acceptance will be.
Ten applications seems like a lot, but it's only a slight increase in time for 5 or so applications, and the more programs you apply to, the more opportunities you'll have. In any given year most programs are very competitive, but the number of total available positions is only slightly less than the number of applicants, so getting your applications in to as many programs as possible behoves you.

Undergraduate Research opportunities

REUs

REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) programs are a way for undergraduates to get some research experience, make contacts and become more involved in their academic community. They're funded by the NSF (National Science Foundation) and sites are located all over the country (as well as some NSF-funded sites abroad).

There are programs in astronomy, physics and many other fields. (Atmospheric Sciences, Engineering, etc.) as well.

Any US citizen or permanent resident who has not graduated prior to the start of the REU program is eligible to apply. A few of the programs (NRAO and NOAO) accept recent graduates. Check with the individual programs about eligibility.

Applicants are traditionally Sophomores or Juniors, although Freshmen are welcome to apply to most programs. Applications are typically due at the end of January. It's a good idea to start working on them no later than early December (see the checklist).

Other internships and sources of funding

The Texas Space Grant Consortium offers research awards, up to $3,500, to fund research related to space-studies. Application materials and deadlines is March 26, 2012 for the 2011-2011 award year.

Google is offering the Anita Borg Scholarship to women in computing and science fields. The scholarship is open to students who will be seniors or graduate students in the 2008-2009 school year. The application deadline in Feb. 1, 2008.

Case Western Reserve University now offers the Carl K. Seyfert Prize Fellowship which will support an undergraduate student for summer research in Cleveland at CWRU. The deadline is not posted on the website, but you can contact Heather Morrison (heather.morrison _at_ cwru _dot_ edu) for application materials.

NASA funds many summer schools and institutes to prepare undergraduates for careers in science.

The nucleus has many summer internships in physics, astronomy and other physical sciences (both domestic and abroad) listed in the summer research section of their website.

There are several conferences for undergraduate women in physics where women can present thier research and meet other young physicists.

Useful links

Note that most lists are incomplete and there are more sites listed at other website, e.g. the NSF REU page.
For Astrophysics students, the AAS (American Astronomical Society) has a list of REU sites. If you scroll down, this has a good summary of application deadlines and program details.

Jennifer Hoffman's REU FAQ page.

Berkeley's off-campus research page.

Final Notes

All of these opportunities can help you get a feel for what it's like to do research in the "real world" of academia and can really help you get your foot in the door. Not only will the contacts that you make help you in your future career, but you'll also have experiences which will speak well for you in job and graduate school applications.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Peter Frinchaboy (p.frinchaboy@tcu.edu).