2023 UROC-Prep Scholars: Dylan Limanek & Heather Jensen
Contact:
Karla Smith
Program Coordinator, UROC-Prep
Phone: (520) 621-1207
Email: karlasmith@arizona.edu
U of A Graduate College’s UROC–Prep Program is a year-round undergraduate research and mentoring program for U of A students who have faced challenges to graduate education, and have interest in pursuing a research oriented graduate degree (Master’s or PhD). This program offers an outstanding opportunity to learn how to conduct research and prepare for graduate studies. The program is fully sponsored by the University of Arizona Graduate College. UROC-Prep participants have gone on to graduate, medical, law and other post-baccalaureate programs, both at the University of Arizona and at other prestigious universities. Many have already obtained a graduate or professional degree.
The purpose of UROC-Prep is to:
- provide an opportunity to work with U of A faculty (and their graduate students) on a research project
- strengthen academic skills
- provide students with a summer-paid stipend of $5,000
- provide an understanding of the approaches, issues, and research methodologies in participants' chosen field of study
- encourage participants to consider advanced study in the discipline of your choice at the University of Arizona
- prepare students to be competitive in the graduate application process and beyond
- enhance leadership skills through personal development workshops and interaction with peers
- work through the graduate application as students are applying to schools for admittance
Timeline: This program begins in the spring semester of participants' junior year, and runs through the summer and into the fall of your students' senior year.
Program Benefits include:
- A summer stipend of $5,000
- Six units of upper-division summer undergraduate course credit (tuition and fees paid by the Graduate College)
- A writing course designed to help with the basics of writing a research paper and creating graduate application materials
- A U of A Faculty mentor in your chosen field of study (may or may not be available for in person meetings)
NOTE: we have a team of staff members to support scholars to achieve the objectives of the summer program - Summer coursework and workshops on organizing research, research ethics, public speaking/communication skills training, creating and presenting an outstanding research poster, and crafting a successful graduate school application
- The opportunity to join with like-minded scholars in preparation for graduate school
All students that meet the following criteria may apply. Students who have faced challenges in gaining access to higher education, e.g. Pell eligible, first-generation college students are highly encouraged to apply. UROC is open to U of A students only.
To qualify for this program, students must have:
- Academic status of an undergraduate junior or senior who is graduating in December of the following year
- U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residence or Refugee status
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
- Time to commit to a full-time schedule of 40 hours a week during the summer between your current and next academic year
Note: Students interested in professional school (i.e. MD, JD, DVM) are not eligible.
Students begin the program in the spring semester and are registered for a 3-unit reading and writing intensive course to strengthen their academic skills. They work with the UROC Instructional Team on completing the first portion of a written research report that includes a review of relevant literature to better define their research interests. For spring, all students must attend COURSE TBA: Professional and Technical Writing which will be taught in person, on campus. Course meeting time TBA.
Students who have successfully completed the spring course continue into the summer research portion of the program. The summer programming includes:
- Working under the guidance of a U of A Faculty mentor in their chosen field of study (may or may not be available for in person meetings)
NOTE: we have a team of staff members to support scholars to achieve the objectives of the summer program - The creation of a research poster that will be presented at the annual UROC Poster Session
- The creation of an oral presentation that will be presented at the UROC Colloquium
- Completion of a research report that includes an abstract of their summer research that will be published in the UROC Abstract Review
- Workshops on organizing research, research ethics, public speaking/communication skills training, creating and presenting an outstanding research poster, and crafting a successful graduate school application
UROC-Prep scholars will be enrolled for six units of undergraduate upper-division course credit (tuition and fees paid by the Graduate College):
- GRAD 492: Directed Research (3 units)
- GRAD 495: Professional Writing (3 units)
NOTE: For the summer, a full-time commitment to all activities is expected of all UROC-Prep students (No exceptions).
Students continue into the fall semester and are registered for a 1-unit graduate school preparation course. Scholars work with the UROC Instructional Team on completing and submitting applications to graduate school(s).
For fall, all UROC-Prep students must attend GRAD 496A: The Graduate School Application Process, which will be taught in person, on campus, and can offer honors credits.
