Is REUs Competitive?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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NSF-REUs are

extremely competitive and ‘prestigious'

. They are normally research positions that are fully-funded, more on the money later, which last 6-10 weeks during the summer.

How many applications do REUs get?

How many to apply for: I applied to somewhere

between 8 – 10 programs

. This number is pretty typical. It is like – some students apply to a couple, most apply to 8-10, some apply to 20 or more.

How selective are REU programs?

REU programs are

very competitive pick between 10 – 15 programs

to apply to, most have a similar application with no application fee. Pick a wide variety of REU locations.

Is REUs paid?

Students participating in REU sites are generally provided with a modest stipend ($

4,000–

$6,000 for 10 weeks of work), housing, transportation to and from the site, and often arrangements for food. REU individual experiences pay (stipends or on an hourly basis) at about the same payrate as REU sites.

Are all REUs competitive?

Apply to multiple programs.

It's important to remember that

REUs are extremely competitive

, and even the very best students do not get accepted by every program to which they apply. Do some research, and choose a variety of programs (perhaps 3-10) that suit your interests and abilities.

Are REUs hard to get?

In general,

REUs do have low acceptance rates for everyone

. There are a lot of students who want to do them and not that many REUs. Now, to answer your question: yes, being female will likely help somewhat, but it likely won't make a big difference.

Is it hard to get into REU?

REU sites typically

host

only 10 students each summer, so they can be quite competitive. Needless to say, the programs at desirable locations like Stanford, for example, will get the most applications.

Is REUs going to be in person?

Apply Now for Summer 2021 Undergraduate Research Experiences (REUs) … Many programs expect to resume in-person activities as planned

in 2021

, but others have made the decision to be fully virtual.

Why do you want to participate in this REU?

The

REU gives students a “taste” of graduate school and research

which, ultimately, helps students in choosing their career path. Through the National Science Foundation Chemistry REU Sites Program, eligible students from any institution in the US and its associated territories can participate in chemical research.

What can I expect from an REU?

During an REU, you

learn a lot about a general research field

, and even more about a specific research problem… but you also learn a huge amount about collaborative work. You will certainly work closely with your faculty adviser, but you will also find collaborators in your peers in the lab and in the REU.

When should I apply for REUs?

Most REU application deadlines are

in February

, but it's important to start early and not wait until the last minute. Winter break is a good time to work on applications, but most applications should be up by November and it never hurts to start thinking about them earlier.

Is REU for international students?

the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and

the Rowland Institute at Harvard will accept international students

. International students are encouraged to verify their eligibility. Supporting REU Finder is easy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

What does REU mean?

REU stands for ‘

Research Experiences for Undergraduates

‘. Researchers from a wide range of backgrounds (including marine biology and ocean sciences) can become an REU site through their research grants, and it means they provide opportunities to mentor undergraduate research projects.

Does an REU count as a job?


Yes

. If you got paid, then you were an employee (and not a volunteer).

How do REU's work?

An REU Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work

in the research programs of the host institution

. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers. … An REU Site may be at either a US or foreign location.

How do I become an NSF REU Site?

Students

apply directly to REU Sites

or to NSF-funded investigators who receive REU Supplements. To identify appropriate REU Sites, students should consult the directory of active REU Sites on the Web at https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.