Summer 2013 Math and Science REU Thread

[Hercuflea]

George Mason Math sent out today

 

[NMOtt]

I just got my acceptance from Cornell today for the Analysis on Fractals project. Who else is going?

 

[deekin]

I know Notre Dame is sending out their stuff. I just got my rejection today.

 

[MechE2015]

@ dabibbler

If there is anything you could tell me about the department/school in general that would be great! Like the quality of professors, facilities, the city of Gainesville, the school itself? Thanks!

 

[DougUTPhy]

I know Nevis Labs has sent out offers and so has DOE-SULI -- I accepted an offer from SULI for Fermilab

 

[Rampant Lion]

Started the day with a rejection from Notre Dame physics but ended it with an offer from Cornell !

 

[caleb5040]

Yeah, I just got rejected from Notre Dame. 300 applicants for 12 spots. Hahaha...

 

[PhysicsGente]

I know Nevis Labs has sent out offers and so has DOE-SULI -- I accepted an offer from SULI for Fermilab

Do you know of someone that got into Nevis Labs?

 

[usnavi13]

Yeah, I just got rejected from Notre Dame. 300 applicants for 12 spots. Hahaha...

Yikes. Fresno State had over 340 applicants for only 8 spots. (I didn't get in.)

 

[usnavi13]

Anyone hear from Cal State San Bernardino, San Diego State, or Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI-UP?) SDSU and MSRI-UP were due March 4, so I know it's still early, but San Bernardino was due Feb. 7.

 

[usnavi13]

Let other programs you are interested in know (by e-mail/phone). In my case, I got a few more offers and some "it's too early for us to be able to tell you, so take the one you've got" (and some non-responses, at least since yesterday)

And I know these questions tend not to get answered, but does anyone have any experience with the LSU or Central Michigan math REUs? I can't find any testimony anywhere and would really like to hear some first hand accounts if possible.

When you e-mailed other programs, did you tell them that you had another offer, or just that you're trying to finalize summer plans? (I don't want to risk losing a spot if they know I already have a spot somewhere else.)

 

[zapz]

Not quite an REU, but the Budapest Summer Semester sent out acceptances today

 

[flansbmp]

Because I am a graduating senior, I couldn't apply to any of the NSF REUs. I did however get accepted into the Cornell Summer Math Institute this past Sunday. It is primarily focused on graduate-level coursework, but there is a research component, and a stipend comparable to most REUs.

I have done two previous mathematics REUs: UNC-Asheville in 2011 and LSU in 2012. I don't think Asheville is doing one this year, but if anyone has questions about LSU, I'd be happy to answer. I will likely be starting their PhD program this fall, in large part due to my experience there last summer.

 

[DougUTPhy]

Do you know of someone that got into Nevis Labs?

I know one person who has accepted an offer from Nevis. I don't know what that means w.r.t. other applicants (website hasn't been updated since Jan. 4).

 

[hsetennis]

really sad to hear that Rose Hulman was denied funding. that was one of the few places I think I had a decent chance

 

[Mozartean]

When you e-mailed other programs, did you tell them that you had another offer, or just that you're trying to finalize summer plans? (I don't want to risk losing a spot if they know I already have a spot somewhere else.)

I told them I had another offer. If anything it definitely helped more people say yes, rather than just "he'll be fine".

 

[flansbmp]

Does anyone have any experience applying to REUs as an older student? (I'm 30)

I've done REUs at 35 and 36, and will do another "traditional undergrad" program at 37 this year. I don't think my age was ever a negative factor, although I did find myself taking on the "mom" role socially at my last REU. (Not that that's a bad thing.)

 

[Takuza]

I told them I had another offer. If anything it definitely helped more people say yes, rather than just "he'll be fine".

Wouldn't it make them more inclined to think "they'll be fine". After all, they know you have a different offer.

Just received a rejection letter from E3S by the way. The were really tied for my top choice, but oh well

 

[Mozartean]

Wouldn't it make them more inclined to think "they'll be fine". After all, they know you have a different offer.

Just received a rejection letter from E3S by the way. The were really tied for my top choice, but oh well

All I can say is that in my experience this is the opposite of the truth. Besides, it's not like the total number of offers changes. Me saying no to the initial program would just allow someone else to participate in that one.

 

[dkotschessaa]

I got so busy I am behind on my applications, most of which are past due. i have to find some which have a past-march Due date now.

That and I was busy studying/catching up to a class I might fail anyway unless I drop it - a complete waste of time. I'm pretty bummed about the whole thing.

-Dave K

 

[usnavi13]

I got so busy I am behind on my applications, most of which are past due. i have to find some which have a past-march Due date now.

That and I was busy studying/catching up to a class I might fail anyway unless I drop it - a complete waste of time. I'm pretty bummed about the whole thing.

-Dave K

University of Washington in Seattle and South Dakota State University both have deadlines in April.

 

[dkotschessaa]

University of Washington in Seattle and South Dakota State University both have deadlines in April.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

[Rampant Lion]

Accepted my offer to Cornell today!
Had to decline a few others so at least a couple new spots opened up.

 

[usnavi13]

Received an e-mail from Worcester Polytechnic Institute asking for my phone number so they can call. I wasn't aware that this program required an interview... does anyone have experience with this sort of thing? I don't know whether it is actually an interview, or what to expect?

 

[ktb]

Received an e-mail from Worcester Polytechnic Institute asking for my phone number so they can call. I wasn't aware that this program required an interview... does anyone have experience with this sort of thing? I don't know whether it is actually an interview, or what to expect?

It might just be so that they can talk in person about the project they want you working on. I had a program call me this year and that's what happened. Just relax, even if it is sort of an interview they probably won't ask any real tough questions unless they told you in advance.

 

[Mozartean]

Some interviews are technical - "How would you approach this problem..." but those are usually for the "top" programs, and most interviews are just about general background/interests/getting to know you.

I accepted LSU. If anyone else is going, send me a PM and let's get to know each other.

 

[Mmm_Pasta]

w00t! Just got an offer from UC Boulder. =) This program is probably my top choice. It's difficult for me to choose between this, Rochester, and CIAN. :P So I'm not sure whether to accept now.

 

[Stengah]

Received an e-mail from Worcester Polytechnic Institute asking for my phone number so they can call. I wasn't aware that this program required an interview... does anyone have experience with this sort of thing? I don't know whether it is actually an interview, or what to expect?

I interviewed for a few places this year. The first wasn't much of an interview, they just wanted to know what projects I was interested in and they told me more about the program and asked if I had any questions. But for another program it was quite different, all they did was ask questions, and some were a bit difficult to answer. They weren't questions about science, but rather essay style questions like "What has been your biggest challenge in programming and how did you overcome it?" I really couldn't think of very interesting things to say for that, and the interviewer was writing down what I was saying. I would mainly just be prepared to back up anything you mentioned in your personal statement.

 

[00Donut]

Anyone here attending the SUNY Potsdam REU?

 

[lasymphonie]

Anyone doing DAAD-RISE?

 

[usnavi13]

I received an offer from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Does anyone have experience with this program? I know it's not a typical "REU" as it is focused more on solving a problem for an outside company, but would this be relevant on a grad. school application, or do most schools just want pure mathematical research?
(The other program that I have an offer from is George Washington, which also doesn't seem like a typical REU, so I don't know which I should accept.)
And have to make a decision by Monday! I wish I had more time to think about it.
Any help/advice would be greatly appreciate.

 

[MechE2015]

Accepted Florida (Gainesville) REU, if anyone else is going there let me know!

 

[Errerrachat]

Anyone hear from Harvard MRSEC/NSEC yet?

 

[dh363]

Anyone else doing SMALL? Wanna touch base?

 

[demoncore]

I've applied to around 6 assorted REUs, as well as two universities through the DOE SULI program, but I haven't heard anything back either way from any of them. Are rejection letters common, or should I already be worried?

 

[zooxanthellae]

What, roughly, does it mean when a program says you're on a "short list"? That you've got a slightly higher chance of ultimately being accepted? And in that case, what's the point of programs telling people this if they may still ultimately reject them?

(A program told me I'm on a short list and I'm trying not to get my hopes up.)

 

[usnavi13]

I've applied to around 6 assorted REUs, as well as two universities through the DOE SULI program, but I haven't heard anything back either way from any of them. Are rejection letters common, or should I already be worried?

I don't know which 6 you applied to, but many still haven't sent offers. If you need to know soon, you could e-mail and ask where you stand, and some will let you know if you're out.

 

[usnavi13]

What, roughly, does it mean when a program says you're on a "short list"? That you've got a slightly higher chance of ultimately being accepted? And in that case, what's the point of programs telling people this if they may still ultimately reject them?

(A program told me I'm on a short list and I'm trying not to get my hopes up.)

I think it is just too keep you interested, if they haven't yet eliminated your application from the group. Being on the short list means you're one step closer to being accepted.

 

[stardawg]

I received an offer from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Does anyone have experience with this program? I know it's not a typical "REU" as it is focused more on solving a problem for an outside company, but would this be relevant on a grad. school application, or do most schools just want pure mathematical research?
(The other program that I have an offer from is George Washington, which also doesn't seem like a typical REU, so I don't know which I should accept.)
And have to make a decision by Monday! I wish I had more time to think about it.
Any help/advice would be greatly appreciate.

Knew 2 people who went to the WPI program, 2-3 years back. Both of these people intended to go straight into industry after graduation, no thoughts about grad school. But that being said I wouldn't know how it would be viewed for grad school.

 

[Stengah]

I accepted my offer for Rutgers physics. Anyone else going to Rutgers for physics or math or anything else?

 

[alabala]

Has anyone heard from DIMACS (Rutgers), MSRI-UP, Bard, Clemson, Miami, Hawaii at Hilo or Mount Holyoke for math ? Thanks!

 

[usnavi13]

Has anyone heard from DIMACS (Rutgers), MSRI-UP, Bard, Clemson, Miami, Hawaii at Hilo or Mount Holyoke for math ? Thanks!

I also applied to DIMACS, MSRI-UP, and Miami (Ohio,) and haven't heard anything from those schools... so I guess there's still hope. I do know that Miami has already decided who they are giving offers to, so if you contacted them, they could tell you.

 

[Mozartean]

Has anyone heard from DIMACS (Rutgers), MSRI-UP, Bard, Clemson, Miami, Hawaii at Hilo or Mount Holyoke for math ? Thanks!

Clemson was basically full when I contacted them a week ago. And Bard's funding was denied by the NSF.

 

[demoncore]

Any word from the MIT Haystack Observatory, University of Michigan, Cornell LEPP, or University of Washington for physics?

 

[Stengah]

Any word from the MIT Haystack Observatory, University of Michigan, Cornell LEPP, or University of Washington for physics?

I know someone who was interviewed and accepted by Michigan about a month ago.

 

[Invyz]

Got my acceptance to KSU today! Haven't heard from anyone else yet.

 

[radium]

I was accepted at Michigan for physics on the 26th.

 

[Hercuflea]

I too will be at Michigan this summer..hmu.

 

[jbrussell93]

Anyone else in PF get into the IRIS (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology) REU? I'd like to make some contacts before orientation week!

 

[caleb5040]

For those of you getting offers for physics REUs, are you getting an email or phone call? Quite a few of the ones I've applied to were due Feb 15th and a couple were Feb 1st, and I have yet to hear anything.

Yeah, I haven't anything at all myself, excepting two rejections. I'm starting to think it'd be a good idea to make back-up plans for the summer just in case.