SRP Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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1. Why should I come to UW-Madison for a summer research program?
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has been one of the strongest biological research
communities in the US. It offers graduate training programs in over 40 areas of biological
research.
Past student participants in IBS-SRP report that it successfully met their expectations,
which included determining whether graduate school was right for them, checking out UW-Madison
for grad school, and learning particular research techniques.
The UW-Madison Center for Biology Education has administered IBS-SRP since 1990.
2. Is IBS-SRP open to minority students only?
No. The National Science Foundation (one of our four primary funders) has endorsed opening Research
Experience for Undergraduate Programs to non-minority students who attend small liberal arts
colleges in addition to minority students. Both minority students from all universities and
non-minority students from small universities (without broad research opportunities) are
encouraged to apply to IBS-SRP.
3. How many students do you accept?
Each year we accept 20-23 students into the program from a pool of about 300 applicants.
4. What are the ethnicity/gender ratios for IBS-SRP?
Since 1990, ~67% of IBS-SRP participants were minority students and ~77% were women.
5. How are the applications reviewed?
An initial screen of applicants is made by IBS-SRP staff. Files on the best-qualified applicants
are forwarded to particular faculty mentors based on interests expressed by students in their
applications. Faculty review the applications and choose which individual is a ‘good fit’ for their
research. After making a choice, each mentor contacts the student to confirm her/his interest in
a specific research project and offer her/him a summer research position.
6. Housing costs are covered. What does that mean?
Participants in IBS-SRP are housed in lakeshore dormitories on campus within walking distance of
most laboratories and State Street (i.e., downtown Madison). Participants from other summer programs
are housed in the same dorm. Students who prefer to find their own housing are reimbursed for some
portion of their housing costs.
7. If preference is given to students between their junior and senior years, can I get in if I’m
going to be a junior?
We favor students between their junior and senior years since this will be their last chance at a
program like ours. However, we accept well-qualified students between their sophomore and
junior years.
8. My grade point average isn’t quite a 3.0. Should I apply anyway?
We occasionally accept promising students whose GPAs are less than 3.0. Be sure to tell us why you
are a ‘promising’ student in your essays and, if possible, make sure your recommendation letters
indicate that this experience would be worthwhile for you and that you’ll perform successfully.
9. I’m a UW-Madison student. Can I apply to IBS-SRP?
You must be a member of a minority group (e.g., African American, Hispanic, Native American,
Southeast Asian, Native Alaskan or Native Pacific Islander) OR be a low-income and first generation
college student to apply.
10. Can I enroll in summer school or have a job while participating in IBS-SRP?
No. IBS-SRP participants do research full-time (at least 40 hr/week). The idea is to enjoy an
intensive research experience when you are freed from the schedules and obligations of coursework
or a job.
11. I noticed there are other summer research programs in the biological sciences at UW-Madison.
Can I apply to more than one?
Yes. However, if you apply only to the IBS-SRP, you may be considered in one of the other summer
research programs, depending on your research interests.
PDF of FAQs
More:
CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL EDUCATION
IBS-SRP OVERVIEW
SRP APPLICATION
SRP FAQ
SRP PROGRAM HISTORY
SRP PICTURES
