Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh have an exciting summer research experience for undergradates (REU) available for undergraduates.
This REU program is sponsored by LearnLab, a Science of Learning Center funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). We encourage applications from students who would like to conduct research in the fields of psychology, education, computer science, human-computer interfaces and language technologies.
LearnLab's REU program allows talented undergraduates to spend eight weeks during the summer in a research laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh or with one of our research partners. The REU program supports LearnLab's commitment to training a diverse set of science, technology, education and psychology leaders.
Applications are encouraged from students who wish to learn to conduct research in a modern academic research laboratory under the guidance of experienced scientists and engineers and experiment in real classroom environments. The REU program will expose students to the excitement and opportunities of a research career. This experience will provide excellent preparation for students interested in subsequently pursuing master's or doctoral degrees.
Although students from other years may apply, this opportunity is most fitting for a student at the end of the junior year of undergraduate studies.
Each student will receive a fellowship stipend of $4,000 for the eight-week REU program. Food, housing and travel will also be provided. Each student will conduct research in an area matched to the interests expressed in his or her application. Guidance and supervision of the research project will be provided by the faculty member as well as, in some cases, a postdoctoral fellow and/or advanced graduate student.
Seminars specific to those participating in the REU program are held weekly, including seminars on graduate admissions and career opportunities in science, education, computer science and engineering. In addition, LearnLab seminars and those held by Carnegie Mellon's Human Computer Interaction Institute and Language Technologies Institute and seminars at Pitt's Language Research and Development Center will be open to the students, giving them exposure to a wide range of research in learning sciences.
There are several benefits that the participating students may receive:
- If the student’s research in the summer is of high quality and has added value to an ongoing research project, past students have been asked to be coauthors on their research team publications on that subject;. Addition of publications to a graduate school applicant resume always greatly improves the application.
- If the quality of the research is high, the faculty member who advised the student would likely be willing to write a letter of recommendation for the student, which could be included in a graduate school application. Research experience in one of the National Science Foundation's premier research centers will be viewed attractively.
- A summer spent in one of the National Science Foundation's premier project areas is a plus in an application whether it be for entry to Carnegie Mellon, the University of Pittsburgh or to any other institution.
There are scholarships available for graduate work on projects in LearnLab. Students should inquire about these possibilities during the summer program.
Students begin their research experiences Sunday, June 1, 2014, with a welcoming reception and information session. The REU ends Friday, July 25, with a poster session in the afternoon. Submission of an application indicates that the applicant agrees to be present from June 1 until 4 p.m. July 25.
Application Deadline: Feb. 17. Students will be informed of our decision by March 3.
Minimum Requirements:
- A minimum of 3.5 GPA out of 4.0 although we will consider students who show by other measures that they are exceptional and who have GPAs over 3.2. Class standing and grades in specific subjects that are close to the field of research will also be considered, as are recommendations.
- Be a United States citizen or have a current F1 visa
LearnLab can accommodate as many as 10 people, although in any given year, it may be decided to fund fewer positions.
Specific questions should be directed to mbett@cs.cmu.edu.
