Physics REUs 2016: Applying & Updates

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the 2016 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) in Physics, where participants share their application statuses and experiences. Key institutions mentioned include Duke University, SAO, and Vanderbilt, with acceptance rates as low as 1.46% at Northwestern CIERA. Many applicants are still awaiting responses, with some reporting rejections and others receiving offers, such as from LSU and Nevis Labs. The discussion highlights the stress and uncertainty surrounding the application process, particularly for astronomy-focused programs.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of REU programs and their application processes
  • Familiarity with institutions involved in physics research, such as Duke University and SAO
  • Knowledge of acceptance rates and application statistics in competitive academic environments
  • Experience with academic email communication for application inquiries
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the application processes for REUs at institutions like Vanderbilt and Cornell
  • Learn about effective email communication strategies for following up on applications
  • Investigate the impact of acceptance rates on applicant strategies for REUs
  • Explore the differences between various REU programs, particularly in astronomy and physics
USEFUL FOR

Undergraduate students applying for REU programs, academic advisors, and faculty involved in mentoring students in physics and astronomy research opportunities.

  • #61
Hi, does anyone know how many applied to UCLA physics REU?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #62
LakeSide said:
Hi, does anyone know how many applied to UCLA physics REU?
12 accepted with over 400 applicants
 
  • #63
I just received an acceptance letter from Columbia!
 
  • #64
Received rejection letter from Penn State.
 
  • #65
Hi. I just had a Skype interview for University of Michigan. My tips for any of you who have an interview:
Relax. I was overly nervous and that changed some of my responses. In retrospect, I wish I would have calmed down and put more energy into actually addressing questions!
Be prepared. You should be able to tell them about your goals, how your background fits in with that goal, and how that particular REU would help you achieve those goals. And be sure to organize your own questions to ask about their program.
 
  • #66
PeanutButterPuffin said:
Hi. I just had a Skype interview for University of Michigan. My tips for any of you who have an interview:
Relax. I was overly nervous and that changed some of my responses. In retrospect, I wish I would have calmed down and put more energy into actually addressing questions!
Be prepared. You should be able to tell them about your goals, how your background fits in with that goal, and how that particular REU would help you achieve those goals. And be sure to organize your own questions to ask about their program.

Oh, I did the Skype interview for UM last year. I second this advice!
 
  • #67
Is it bad if your not getting any request for interviews? Is that normal for reu's?
 
  • #68
Last year, I was accepted into 4 out of 8 REU's, and didn't get any interview requests. This year, U Mich was my first and only REU that scheduled an interview, and that was only after I emailed them to ask about my status. So I wouldn't be too worried.
 
  • #69
Last year, I received an offer from Northwestern CIERA on Mar 1.
This year, I received offers from SLAC DOE SULI, UC Davis REU, UWash Seattle REU. I accepted offer from SLAC. I received all these offers within the last 2 weeks of February.

I did get one rejection from UOregon yesterday.
 
  • #70
I'm sure a lot of people have noticed that the SULI selection has come to an end.

I'm a bit salty about this ?:)

edit: @abc5dasar, I was able to work at SSRL last year performing near edge x-ray spectroscopy and interpreting its spectra along with first principles DFT calculations. Do you know which department or project you will be working with?
 
Last edited:
  • #71
I've been accepted into the MRSEC Columbia University REU and U Michigan Physics REU programs. I have to decide which one to accept today. Has anyone here done either?
 
  • #72
PeanutButterPuffin said:
I've been accepted into the MRSEC Columbia University REU and U Michigan Physics REU programs. I have to decide which one to accept today. Has anyone here done either?
I have two friends who have done U Michigan, sounded like both of them loved it. Don't know anyone who's done Columbia's.
 
  • #73
StudyingPhysics-

Thank you for your reply. I ended up choosing Columbia. Though the stipend is somewhat lower, I am more interested in the research I'll be doing at Columbia.
 
  • #74
UC Davis just sent a rejection letter. 14 acceptances out of over 450 applicants.
 
  • #75
Rejection letter from Jefferson Lab, anyone hear anything more from Vanderbilt? They're my last chance.
 
  • #76
Nope, still nothing. My last chance as well. Good luck.
 
  • #77
Anyone hear from USF, LSU's CCT program, Georgia Tech, or UChicago yet? Also, I've been denied by University of Nebraska-Lincoln, if anyone else is still wondering about it.
 
  • #78
I got a rejection from LSU: "325 applications for 12 slots". I also got response from Brigham Young University, University of Washington, University of California - Davis, University of California - Los Angeles, Ohio Wesleyan University if anyone is interested.

Are you guys more interested in experimental or theoretical/computational physics?
 
  • #79
p1310b said:
I got a rejection from LSU: "325 applications for 12 slots". I also got response from Brigham Young University, University of Washington, University of California - Davis, University of California - Los Angeles, Ohio Wesleyan University if anyone is interested.

Are you guys more interested in experimental or theoretical/computational physics?

Did you apply to LSU's physics program (http://www.phys.lsu.edu/newwebsite/undergraduate/reu_program/) or CCT (computational science http://reu.cct.lsu.edu/) program? I did the CCT one, and haven't heard back yet. Either they lost my application or I'm still in the running? Haha!

I'm a computational physics guy.
 
  • #80
I applied to LSU physics program and got a rejection on March 6th. I did not know about CCT.
I am also interested in computational physics.
 
  • #81
Hi. An update:

UC Davis - rejected
Penn. St -rejected
U Penn - rejected
Mich. St - rejected
UCLA - rejected
MIT - rejected
U Mich - accepted (declined offer)
Columbia - accepted (accepted offer)
CU Boulder - no reply
 
  • #82
For those of you wondering about University of South Florida and U. Chicago, USF told me they're waiting another 2 weeks for their decisions, and U. Chicago should be deciding soon.

Also, any advice for me? I'm waiting on the two above, but one professor has guaranteed me research over the summer (+ stipend), but I have to choose by April 14th (deadline for getting funding). Should I stick it out for the 2 REUs and turn my prof. down? I worked with him the past semester and while the work is interesting, it isn't what I want to keep doing. But experience is experience..
 
  • #83
@PeanutButterPuffin Thought I was going to have an REU buddy in this thread, but turns out you're in MRSEC!
In any case, summer in NYC is going to be awesome.
 
  • #84
@PeanutButterPuffin nice job on Columbia, I did the Columbia REU last summer and it was a great experience.

Is anyone else doing SULI at Brookhaven? I'm really excited!

@ModestyKing, I would just be honest and tell your professor you're waiting to hear from some REUs, and ask if there will still be a position for you if you don't hear from any of them. My professors offered me this option last year when I was waiting to hear back from people. Surprised that UChicago hasn't told anyone yet, I applied, but heard from SULI back in January so...
 
  • #85
Has anyone heard from the TREND program at the University of Maryland? They haven't responded to my email. At this point, I doubt I have a chance, but I'd like to be sure.
 
  • #86
@idkidk1212 I never heard back either. I would call them if you're still interested.
 
  • #87
ope211 said:
@PeanutButterPuffin nice job on Columbia, I did the Columbia REU last summer and it was a great experience.

Is anyone else doing SULI at Brookhaven? I'm really excited!

@ModestyKing, I would just be honest and tell your professor you're waiting to hear from some REUs, and ask if there will still be a position for you if you don't hear from any of them. My professors offered me this option last year when I was waiting to hear back from people. Surprised that UChicago hasn't told anyone yet, I applied, but heard from SULI back in January so...

Thanks for the tip! Today was that deadline so I decided to refuse my prof's offer, because I got a counter-offer from another prof. for if I don't get accepted into UChicago whose work I'm more interested in!
 
  • #88
@Formula and @ope211: Thanks! I'm really excited to go to New York too!
 
  • #89
Summary of my results:

MIT Haystack - acceptance (will attend)
U Chicago - acceptance (had to decline :/)
NASA Goddard - Solar Physics - informal acceptance (declined)

AMNH - rejection
Keck Northeastern Astronomical Consortium - rejection

Boston University - Magnetic Fields in Space - no word
National Solar Observatory - no word
 
  • #90
ope211 said:
Surprised that UChicago hasn't told anyone yet, I applied, but heard from SULI back in January so...
Chicago emailed me their results on March 15. Not sure what the hold up is.
 

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