2012 Physics and Astronomy REU Programs

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the application process for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs in physics and astronomy for the summer of 2012. Participants share their application lists, research interests, and experiences with acceptance notifications, while also expressing concerns about the competitiveness of various programs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants have applied to a range of REU programs, including those focused on nuclear physics, high energy physics, and astrophysics.
  • One participant noted that they received a denial from CERN-UM, citing a high number of applicants (over 250).
  • Concerns were raised about the difficulty of gaining acceptance into competitive programs, with some participants sharing their application numbers and experiences.
  • There is uncertainty about the typical communication methods for acceptance notifications, with some suggesting email is common, while others mentioned phone interviews for specific programs.
  • Participants expressed frustration over the staggered deadlines for applications and notifications, which complicates decision-making.
  • One participant shared that they received an acceptance from Minnesota for a theory/computational project and are considering their options based on other pending offers.
  • Some participants are awaiting responses from various programs and are worried about the lack of communication regarding their applications.
  • There is a discussion about the number of applicants relative to available spots, with some participants seeking more data on application statistics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express uncertainty and concern about the application process, with no consensus on the best strategies for acceptance or the typical applicant pool sizes. Multiple competing views remain regarding the competitiveness of specific programs and the communication methods used for acceptances.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying application deadlines, differing communication practices among institutions, and the subjective nature of the application experience. Some participants have applied after deadlines, which may affect their chances of acceptance.

Who May Find This Useful

Students interested in applying to REU programs in physics and astronomy, particularly those seeking insights into the application process and experiences from peers.

  • #61
Congratulations to everyone so far!

I've been declined from UCLA so far.

Haven't heard back from any other place yet :/
 
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  • #62
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! :biggrin:
 
  • #63
Congrats. The other day you were bumed about UCLA now I better your feeling much better. What is you research about?
 
  • #64
Dela91 said:
Congrats. The other day you were bumed about UCLA now I better your feeling much better. What is you research about?

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?
 
  • #65
d3nat said:
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?

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!
 
  • #66
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.
 
  • #67
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.
 
  • #68
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!
 
  • #69
Late last week, I contacted all of the places I've applied to and most responded that they have had record numbers of students apply and that they were just about done finalizing the selections and I was probably not going to get in. Congrats to all that made it. Anyone hear back from LSU or Texas A&M yet? Sadly these two might be my last hope. Ironically I applied to 13 programs, I've never been superstitious but... yeah.
 
  • #70
Dirac_Man said:
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 thought the two programs had different focuses?
 
  • #71
Elwin.Martin said:
I thought the two programs had different focuses?

They do (Duke is nuclear-focused, while Cornell is more accelerator-geared), but I adjusted the interests sections of the personal statements I submitted to reflect the different missions of each program (nuclear and accelerator physics really are both of great interest to me).

Of course, I should probably be far enough along in academia to recognize by now that trying to uncover deeper reasons for getting rejected by one program and accepted by another is akin to divining with tea leaves...
 
  • #72
ktb said:
Late last week, I contacted all of the places I've applied to and most responded that they have had record numbers of students apply and that they were just about done finalizing the selections and I was probably not going to get in. Congrats to all that made it. Anyone hear back from LSU or Texas A&M yet? Sadly these two might be my last hope. Ironically I applied to 13 programs, I've never been superstitious but... yeah.
Don't lose hope yet! Apply at Vermont. Their deadline is early April.
http://www.uvm.edu/physics/?Page=complexmaterials.html
It's materials and I don't know what your focus is, but it's worth a shot. The late deadline indicated it's less competitive (top ranking applicants are decided by now). I freaked out over the weekend about not getting offers yet and found it. Google physics REU april 2012 and maybe find some more last minutes.
 
  • #73
Dirac_Man said:
Of course, I should probably be far enough along in academia to recognize by now that trying to uncover deeper reasons for getting rejected by one program and accepted by another is akin to divining with tea leaves...

^This
 
  • #74
Waiting to hear back from LIGO, Princeton and Montana State.
Those were pretty much the only programs I could find that consider int'l students. Kinda worried since it's already mid-March and I haven't heard from anyone yet, though I know the selection process at Princeton might continue until late April. Sounds like it's still up in the air...anyone got into one of these already?
 
  • #75
erogard said:
Waiting to hear back from LIGO, Princeton and Montana State.
Those were pretty much the only programs I could find that consider int'l students. Kinda worried since it's already mid-March and I haven't heard from anyone yet, though I know the selection process at Princeton might continue until late April. Sounds like it's still up in the air...anyone got into one of these already?
I contacted Princeton and they sent me a rejection. It appears that they have already filled all of their spots, so you should contact them as well and see.
 
  • #76
Does anyone think it would be a good idea if I went around and emailed each of the REUs I can find for this year, and asked about the size of their applicant pools?

That or have the work of emailing people be distributed some, say each person just contacts where they applied to?

It would be great to have a thread on the forum with some information for next year's applications.

Maybe applicant pool size and number of offers available to start with?
 
  • #77
Elwin.Martin said:
Does anyone think it would be a good idea if I went around and emailed each of the REUs I can find for this year, and asked about the size of their applicant pools?

I did that for a few I applied for. The pool size averaged a few hundred (400-600). I was somewhat shocked at how many applicants there were. (This was mainly West Coast)


I know I've asked already, but has anyone heard from Seattle or Chicago/know if they have completely finalized their decisions?

I'm assuming if I haven't heard back from those two I've been wait-listed. I really really want to get into one of those, but I don't want to wait too long to accept my other offer in the case that I'm far down on the wait list.

Seattle said that they would put a notice up on their website when all their positions are filled.
 
  • #78
ktb said:
I contacted Princeton and they sent me a rejection. It appears that they have already filled all of their spots, so you should contact them as well and see.

Are you sure about that? I just got rejected at Montana State (they said they had over 30 applications for every opening), which I'm assuming to be less competitive than LIGO and Princeton...
 
  • #79
erogard said:
Are you sure about that? I just got rejected at Montana State (they said they had over 30 applications for every opening), which I'm assuming to be less competitive than LIGO and Princeton...
Is this the program you applied to? http://science-education.pppl.gov/NUF/Overview.html

If so, I would send an e-mail to mortiz@pppl.gov and they'll let you know your status. It could be you're wait listed.
 
  • #80
ktb said:
Is this the program you applied to? http://science-education.pppl.gov/NUF/Overview.html

If so, I would send an e-mail to mortiz@pppl.gov and they'll let you know your status. It could be you're wait listed.

I meant the material science one through PRISM, my bad. But thanks for your suggestion. Maybe there's still hope then.
 
  • #81
erogard said:
Waiting to hear back from LIGO, Princeton and Montana State.
Those were pretty much the only programs I could find that consider int'l students. Kinda worried since it's already mid-March and I haven't heard from anyone yet, though I know the selection process at Princeton might continue until late April. Sounds like it's still up in the air...anyone got into one of these already?

Just got an offer from LIGO today, I think I'll accept.
Anyone else going there?
 
  • #82
I_wonder_why said:
Just got an offer from LIGO today, I think I'll accept.
Anyone else going there?

Congratulations on getting the offer!

I'm waiting on them, it's probably the only thing I'd take over SLAC. I'm doubting I'll be accepted though.
 
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  • #83
I got accepted to Minnesota about a month ago and took it after waiting a bit over a week to hear back from any others. Then last week I got accepted to an internship at Argonne National Labs that would have sent me to the US Particle Accelerator School but turned it down. Minnesota is one of the schools I want to apply to for grad school so hopefully this helps me in.
 
  • #84
I've been rejected from UCLA, Columbia, and RIT so far. The only one left for me is Stony Brook's program which was really the one I wanted most from the start. The director of the program emailed me last Sunday asking me when and how he could contact me to discusss my application but since then hasn't responded or called. Getting a bit nervous. Should I call him myself?
 
  • #85
barrinmw said:
I got accepted to Minnesota about a month ago and took it after waiting a bit over a week to hear back from any others. Then last week I got accepted to an internship at Argonne National Labs that would have sent me to the US Particle Accelerator School but turned it down. Minnesota is one of the schools I want to apply to for grad school so hopefully this helps me in.

Oh wow, the Internship at Argonne looked really good. Hopefully the Minnesota program works out well.
 
  • #86
raluu said:
I've been rejected from UCLA, Columbia, and RIT so far. The only one left for me is Stony Brook's program which was really the one I wanted most from the start. The director of the program emailed me last Sunday asking me when and how he could contact me to discusss my application but since then hasn't responded or called. Getting a bit nervous. Should I call him myself?

I haven't got any rejection mails so far? Are rejection mails actually sent out or you are assuming your rejected because it is past a certain date?
 
  • #87
Nano-Passion said:
I haven't got any rejection mails so far? Are rejection mails actually sent out or you are assuming your rejected because it is past a certain date?

I got rejection mails from UCLA and RIT. Columbia's program doesn't email a rejection and rather just updates their site when all the spots are filled up.

Called the Stony Brook director yesterday. Looks like I'm 0/4 on REUs this year unless a person they took decided to reject their offer. Disappointing, but I guess it's okay since I'm only a freshman. Sadly, I now have nothing to do over the summer and it seems like I passed the deadline for just about every internship.
 
  • #88
raluu said:
I got rejection mails from UCLA and RIT. Columbia's program doesn't email a rejection and rather just updates their site when all the spots are filled up.

Called the Stony Brook director yesterday. Looks like I'm 0/4 on REUs this year unless a person they took decided to reject their offer. Disappointing, but I guess it's okay since I'm only a freshman. Sadly, I now have nothing to do over the summer and it seems like I passed the deadline for just about every internship.

If you are freshman I wouldn't fret too much...actually, as a freshman it would have been extremely remarkable if you had gotten an REU. I do not think I have ever heard of a freshman getting an REU through the NSF before. I am sure it happens, but I think it is quite rare.
 
  • #89
Dirac_Man said:
If you are freshman I wouldn't fret too much...actually, as a freshman it would have been extremely remarkable if you had gotten an REU. I do not think I have ever heard of a freshman getting an REU through the NSF before. I am sure it happens, but I think it is quite rare.

Not to be a jerk, but I did this year. Only one of my 11 applications was accepted though, :rolleyes: . They do seem mostly aimed at Juniors and occasionally Sophomores, which I think *can* be unfair at times. I was rejected by one program for being in my first year and they hadn't even checked my transcript, which would have showed more substantial courses.

@raluu: Good luck for next year, maybe you can ask around at your uni. for someone who is willing to let you work for free this summer? The biggest concern is usually funding ^^; but if you are covering your own room and board, they'll probably be happy to let you work if you have skills they are looking for!

You might want to check out the summer course listings, or if they are lacking take courses through cross-registration at another school!
 
  • #90
I just got an email back from LSU. They had more than 350 applicants! And I wasn't accepted.

I'm kind of getting the feel for the competition that is to come in my later career. :biggrin:
 

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