Waiting on REU Application: Anxiously Awaiting a Response

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the anxieties and uncertainties associated with waiting for responses to Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) applications. Participants share their experiences and thoughts regarding the application process, timelines, and alternative options for summer research work.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration over the lack of response from an REU program after confirming interest, indicating a desire for timely communication.
  • Another participant suggests that the original poster may be on an internal waiting list, noting that some programs may delay decisions due to funding uncertainties or high-quality applications.
  • A different participant mentions their determination to engage in research work over the summer, regardless of the outcome of the REU application, and expresses a preference for the REU experience to meet new people and visit other universities.
  • Several participants offer supportive comments, with one providing reassurance that the original poster will likely be accepted, while another acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining optimism during the waiting period.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a sense of anxiety about the waiting process, but there is no consensus on the reasons for the delays or the likelihood of acceptance into the REU program. Multiple perspectives on alternative summer research opportunities are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific timelines and experiences related to REU applications, but there are no detailed discussions about the criteria for acceptance or the specific nature of the programs mentioned.

Who May Find This Useful

Students applying for REU programs or similar research opportunities, as well as those interested in summer research experiences and the application process.

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I'm waiting on this REU application. They sent me an email last week asking me if I was still interested in a position. I told them yes, but have yet to hear back from them. I called them on Tuesday, they said that they hoped to make their final decisions by the end of the week. AHHHHH! Just give me an answer already!
 
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My guess is that you are on some sort of internal waiting list, since most of those programs have already made their decisions. They may have had several people turn them down for other REUs and are now looking to their next tier of applicants and checking which of those are available. Though, we also had one program that was keeping students in suspense past the notification date because we got so many good applications, they were scrambling to see if we could come up with some additional funding to invite more applicants than originally planned, so didn't want to make any decisions until they knew how many additional slots they could offer, and in the end, the money fell through anyway, so all that waiting was for nothing. Hopefully that doesn't happen to you.

Don't forget, even if you don't get accepted to an REU program, you can still contact faculty at local universities to see if they have an open position for a student worker for the summer, so you can still get experience, even if it might include more grunt work than an REU.
 
I'm definitely doing some kind of research work this summer, whether it be with an REU, or at my own university. I'm hoping for an REU because I kind of want to see other Universities and meet new people.

Still haven't got a response, I guess they may be waiting until after the Easter Holiday?
 
Don't worry, you'll get in. :wink:
 
cyrusabdollahi said:
Don't worry, you'll get in. :wink:

Hopefully. I never like to get my hopes up though. I guess I should stop being pessimistic. Thanks for the support!
 

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