Carnegie Mellon University
How to Apply

How to Apply

Deadline: November 14, 2016

Register

All students connected to the SRC-URO application must REGISTER. When registering, please update any incorrect or missing information in your profile.  If you have already met with and secured the support of an SRC-URO faculty member, please list their name as your advisor.  Applicants who already have a faculty mentor will be considered to have stronger applications.  You must upload the components of the application through the registration section of our website AND deliver a hard copy of all components to our office (531 Warner Hall) by the published deadline.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Minimum GPA: 2.80.
  • Current Sophomores ONLY:  Majors in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Computer Science and Physics. 
  • Must have be a U.S. citizen or hold a U.S. green card.
  • Desire to conduct research over a sustained period in the areas listed above. 
  • Commitment to participating in a program for a minimum of three semesters and a maximum of five semesters, possibly including a full-time summer fellowship on campus in Summer 2017.
  • Open to a wide range of students with diverse economic and social backgrounds.  Grades are only one part of the application process.

Components of Application

  1. Personal Statement: 2 pages maximum, single-spaced.
    The goal is to allow the committee to get to know you better as a person.  Questions to consider addressing in your personal statement:
    • What is your background?
    • What prompted you to come to Carnegie Mellon?
    • Are you a first-generation college student?
    • What factors made you interested in technical fields? (Family members, a teacher, friends, etc.)
    • What information can you share with the committee that will help them get to know you better?
    • What are your current goals?  Do you foresee graduate school in your future?
  2. Applicant's college transcript
    Please include an official or unofficial transcript.
  3. Resume
    If you do not have an updated resume, please see the Career Center for advice on resume writing.
  4. Faculty/Advisor Reference
    If you already have secured a research position you do not need to include a letter of reference, but do need to include an email or signed letter from the faculty member overseeing your research confirming the position and its applicability to the SRC URO goals.

Program Requirements

SRC-URO recipients must:

  • Commit to the full length of the program: three semesters and the possibility of a summer (between sophomore and junior year) and the possibility of required participation in the senior year.
  • Participate in various professional development and social activities associated with this program.
  • Submit a written "Reflection on Your Work" (instructions to be given at the end of the summer).
  • Participate in all surveys connected to the Undergraduate Research Office, throughout the program and post-graduation.
  • Present at the Meeting of the Minds each year of participation in SRC-URO, starting May 2017.