2012 Physics and Astronomy REU Programs

ktb

Actually, I heard that lots of times most REUs like to accept lots of students from small schools, because people from smaller schools usually don't have as much opportunity to do research. I also applied to Cornell, but my fortunes are starting to look a little grim. Congrats to you though it'll be a great experience! Are you a Junior or a sophomore?

Dirac_Man

I am currently a junior (which means I need to start crossing my fingers about grad. school at some point in the immediate future...).

d3nat

Has anyone heard back from UChicago or Seattle yet?

Dela91

I applied for Biophysics and astrophysics at:

Wayne State
Michigan State
University of Toledo
Hope College in Michigan
lehigh
Purdue


I was wondering if anyone else applied at Wayne state or were they turned off by the fact that it is in Detroit.

Elwin.Martin

SLAC offered, Accepted!!!!!
:DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

Stengah

Congratulations! Do you know what you will be working on?

Elwin.Martin

Heavy Photon Search
http://www.slac.stanford.edu/gen/gra...ch-at-SLAC.pdf
Which is not really something I am familiar with, but I'm so glad it's in HEP haha :P

I know they like students from smaller schools, but I am still sort of shocked I got in.

Very, very excited though! I'm not really concerned about stipend, but housing and such would be great to know soon. @.@ It says they'll reimburse some of my travel expense, so I'm hoping they do because I live on the East coast. . .

I understand you accepted Idaho, right? It would be great to know if anyone else on the forums is going to SLAC ^^; there are quite a few interns in total, though working on very different things.

Dirac_Man

Congratulations! I think I said earlier that that was where I was last summer. It was a great experience. I assume you are going through SULI?

They put us up in regular Stanford housing, and I understand they did something similar the year before as well. It was really cool because we were all in a collection of dorms that open into the same enclosed courtyard area, so there was a real communal feel (Governor's Corner, if you end up in the same place).

The program director is a real trip as well. He takes some...getting used to, but he is actually a really fascinating kind person. Do not underestimate how knowledgeable he actually is about things. He sets up these weekly dinners with various people that initially (at least to me) sounded somewhat lame, but I found them to be one of the best parts of the program. I got to meet people who went to lectures Dirac gave, people who used to be office mates with Steve Weinberg, and people who played outside while their father ate dinner with Feynman, among others.

On a side note, Martin Perl, who discovered the tau lepton, eats at the same table in the SLAC cafeteria everyday, and you can just go up and talk to him. And get pictures and autographs. Just throwing that out there (it did not dawn on me who he was until about half way through the program).

Dela91

Got an Offer from Ohio Wesleyan University for Stellar Surfacing Imaging via Light Curve Inversion.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I'm just glad I landed an REU. Good Luck to everyone else!

d3nat

Congratulations to everyone so far!

I've been declined from UCLA so far.

Haven't heard back from any other place yet :/

d3nat

Just got accepted into Kansas State.
I'm not sure whether or not I'll accept at the moment because I'm still holding onto the hope that I'll somehow get into Seattle or Chicago. But, KSU looks like a good REU, so I'm not complaining at all. Just happy I actually got accepted somewhere. I can stop panicking!

Dela91

Congrats. The other day you were bumed about UCLA now I better your feeling much better. What is you research about?

d3nat

Yes, so much better. Relieved actually :) When I read the email I did a little happy dance around my flat (which thank goodness none of my flatmates were up for, they already think I'm a crazy American [study abroad student] ).

Projects aren't posted until April, but looking at last years, I'd like to work on something revolving around particle physics. Nuclear would be my top choice, but I don't think that will be an option.

I'm going to hold out for a few days to see if I hear back from any other places, but if not, I'm quite happy with where I got in. Anyone else possibly going there?

Stengah

I applied, but withdrew after I got the offer from Idaho State. But I have a professor who went to grad school there, and he had great things to say about the department. Update us with what your project is if you accept!

Dirac_Man

Accepted at Cornell and rejected at Duke?

?

That seems very strange to me. Cornell has much more highly-ranked physics program than Duke; I cannot image their program is less competitive than Duke's. I sent almost identical personal statements to each one as well; I only altered the section where I discuss specific past projects that interest me. I suppose it does not actually matter, since I already have an REU. It just strikes me as very odd.

mobilehobo

I've applied:
Cornell- CLASSE (didn't send rejection, but didn't make it)
Cornell- CCMR (they said they are sending out offers this Wednesday)
Colorado- heard nothing.. I don't think I made it.
SUNY- will decide next week.
Lehigh- nothing yet.
Wisconsin (engineering)- nothing yet
Penn State- accepted. Only a week to decide.

I thought Penn State had an excellent program but it seems no one on here even applied. Any insight? Should I accept?
Anyone heard from Colorado? They don't email status of applicants.

mobilehobo

Accepted at Cornell and rejected at Duke?

?

That seems very strange to me. Cornell has much more highly-ranked physics program than Duke; I cannot image their program is less competitive than Duke's. I sent almost identical personal statements to each one as well; I only altered the section where I discuss specific past projects that interest me. I suppose it does not actually matter, since I already have an REU. It just strikes me as very odd.



--
I think it's just where they feel you will fit in based on your academic background, habits (from what your refs said) and personality written in your essay. Congrats on Cornell!!