Resources

Is there a word or page limit for the personal statement?

The online application allows for 5000 characters, or approximately two pages of text. While the application allows for 2 pages of text, your personal statement does not need to be two pages long.  Please make sure that you use the space wisely to articulate why you want to do summer research.

What is an academic resume or CV (curriculum vitae)?

• Educational background
• Internship experience
• Employment history
• Honors received
• Research work published
• Hobbies

Even though the UPN program only requires one letter of recommendation, may I submit more than one?

Yes, you may submit up to 3 letters of recommendation.  However, we want to caution you.  Your letter of recommendation should be a strong letter from someone who can speak to your success or potential success in the research environment.

I have asked my recommender to submit a letter for my application package. How will I know whether it has been submitted?

Your recommender will receive an email from SOMREO@salud.unm.edu upon receipt of your letter of recommendation. It is your responsibility to follow up with your letter-writer to confirm they have submitted their recommendation letter by the application deadline.

What is the process for review and final selection of applicants?

All applicants are reviewed by a panel of faculty who understand the goals of the UPN program.  The review committee uses a scoring rubric that evaluates all elements of the application package.

When will I know whether I am selected?

We work to have offer letters out to applicants by the beginning of April at the latest.

Can my parents contact you to find out information about the program?

Unfortunately, due to federal FERPA regulations, the UPN program cannot give any information to outside parties, not even your parents or your husband/wife.  This includes confirming that you have applied to the program, confirming that you have been offered a position in the program, etc. 

I am from out of state. If accepted, where will I stay during the program?

The UPN program makes arrangements with the on-campus dorms to reserve a block of rooms for our out-of-state UPN scholars.  The dorms are apartment-style and between 4-6 students share an apartment with private bedrooms, living room and a kitchen.  The dorm apartments are not co-ed.  We try to ensure that UPN scholars are assigned to rooms in the same apartment. The cost of housing is covered by the UPN program.

Can I bring a friend or family member?

No.  Only students are allowed to live in the dorms.

Can I bring my car?

Yes, you can bring your car.  There is no free parking on campus.  Therefore, each car must have a summer parking pass.  The cost of this pass is the responsibility of the student.

What is the time commitment for participation in the UPN program?

The UPN program is a full-time commitment for the summer.  Our scholars are expected to work 37-40 hours per week in the lab, attend the mandatory seminar and cohort-building activities.  Timesheets are required to be submitted to document the student’s hours.

Can I take summer school courses during the program?

The UPN program requires full focus from our scholars. If a student wants to take summer school courses or work or travel with family or on vacation, they should not apply for the UPN program.

Will I be paid for participating in the summer program?

The UPN program provides a stipend up to $6000.

If selected, are there any additional requirements I must meet before the start of the program?

In order to ensure our scholars are ready to immediately start on their summer research projects, there are a few pre-program requirements:

• Apply to UNM as a non-degree seeking undergraduate student for the summer.  The application is very simple and does not require transcripts. Once you complete this task, you will become a UNM student with a UNM student id number that will enable us to enroll you in the mandatory 1-unit seminar course and pay your stipend.
• Complete online trainings that are required by UNM and any additional trainings that your mentor will require which are specific to the work you will be doing in the laboratory.  The program will notify you of the online courses that will be required and send you the information on how to access the courses. Trainings cannot be accessed until the scholar has completed the UNM application and received a UNM student id number.
• Ideally, we will have a mentor match for our scholars about a month before the the program starts.  We notify the scholar of the mentor match and require that the scholar send an introductory email to the mentor so a relationship can be started between the mentor and scholar before the start of the program.
• A 1-2 page informal paper on the mentor's general area of research is required to be submitted by the scholar to the program prior to the start of the program.  This is important because it will help the scholar start to become familiar with their mentor's research area and projects.