What are the dates of the program?

The program begins on Thursday, June 3 and ends on Wednesday, June 30. You should plan to arrive as early as Wednesday, June 2.

What will I do while in the program?

One element of the program is working with a faculty mentor on a research project. This part of the program will actually begin before you arrive. After you have been accepted into the program, you will begin email contact with your faculty mentor who will assign articles for you to read before you arrive. You may also correspond about what the project will be and work on design before you arrive. Once you are here, you will meet with your mentor several times a week to make further progress on the project. You will also attend a seminar 3 times a week where you will hear lectures and participate in discussions on research methodology, statistics, and the graduate school process. You will have access to a computer lab, and there will be a graduate assistant who has lab hours to help you with your projects as well.

In your free time, you may use the university wellness center or explore the area. There is frequent bus service from campus to various places in town. Some social and cultural activities will be planned based on participants’ interests.

Do I have to write a paper or anything?

You will talk about your research during the seminars. You will also be expected to create a poster presentation during or soon after the project period that you should present at a regional or national conference in the next year.

Should I contact the professor I’m interested in now?

No, don’t contact the professor until you have been chosen to participate in the program. At that point, the faculty mentor will contact you.

Where will I live and eat?

You will have a single room in a residence hall (Bartlett Hall) on campus. There will be a stove, dishwasher, and refrigerator in the dorm that you can use if you like to cook. You will be provided with “dining dollars” that you can use for various food outlets on campus.

How will I get there?

We will work with you to arrange your transportation after you have been accepted.

What is UNI like?

UNI is a regional university with about 14,000 students. Campus is attractive and easy to walk. For more information about the university, see www.uni.edu

What is Cedar Falls/Waterloo like?

Cedar Falls is a safe, friendly, and attractive town of about 35,000 people that was recently named as one of America’s top 12 distinctive destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We have an extensive trail system for biking or running that passes by lakes and a river and is easily accessible to campus. Cedar Falls abuts on Waterloo, IA, and together they contain about 100,000 people. Waterloo is the most ethnically diverse city in Iowa, with sizeable African American and Hispanic populations. Waterloo and Cedar Falls both have music and entertainment festivals that will occur during the program period.

What is Iowa like in the summer?

June is our best month here. It should be warm, but not horribly so, with an average high of 80 degrees and low of about 60 degrees. We get lots of sunshine, and it’s very green. Contrary to popular belief, Iowa is not flat (in our area it’s gently rolling hills, though other areas have larger bluffs), and we don’t grow potatoes (that’s Idaho).

I like to do X. Can I do that in Cedar Falls?

Contact me (Helen, project director, harton@uni.edu) if there is something you want to know about. I’ve lived in North Carolina and Florida, in small and large towns, and I can honestly say that I really like it here and have found a lot of stuff to do. For example, some of my summer activities include biking, running, kayaking, stand up paddling, slacklining, going to hear live music, and teaching dance and exercise classes. If I don’t know if we offer something, I can find out for you.

What expenses will be paid?

You will receive a stipend when you finish the program of $2000. You will also have your travel expenses to and from Cedar Falls reimbursed (we may be able to pay some of them directly—we’ll be in contact after acceptance) up to $600. We will directly pay for your dorm room and meal plan. There are also some funds for research expenses that you may apply for.

Do I have to have a car?

Campus is easily walkable, and there are free or inexpensive bus routes from campus to shopping and entertainment areas. You could also choose to rent or buy a cheap bike—many of us in the department get around almost exclusively by bike in the summer. You don’t have to have a car.

When will I know if I’ve been chosen?

We will let our first choices know in early April, and then we will continue to make offers until our slots are filled.

Who is funding this program and why?

This program is funded by the University as a means to encourage students to explore research and consider graduate school.