Thread by @DavidZegeye

To help POC in physics|astro apply for summer programs, @10outof10ley, @laarcy7, and @astrochicana, and I made a guide for applying to REU programs! (Thread)

“First off, what is an REU program?”

An REU is a research program, funded by NSF, that takes place at a university/research facility where undergraduates have the opportunity to perform research over the summer.

Here is a Google Sheet listing all the available physics|astro programs: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d…

Many institutions also host summer research programs that act like REUs, but are funded by separate sources, so make sure to search for them. Some of these are:
TAURUS @ UT Austin
MIT MSRP
LEAPS Leiden

“Why should I apply to an REU program?”

An REU program provides a great chance to pursue your academic interests in a non-classroom setting by performing scientific research, and see if you would like to continue in graduate school

Research allows for more freedom that one would not usually find in a classroom setting by making new discoveries and applying your new knowledge to answer. Since REUs are meant to build your experience, you do not need any prior experience to apply!

Many of my friends and I were told we’re not cut out for scientific research, but there are so many programs that admit white men who also have no experience yet get in due to their confidence. Go in with their level of confidence, you will have a good shot of finding a program

“Having research experience at a given school can really increase your chances of getting into said [grad] school for several reasons” - @10outof10ley

“The [grad] admissions sees your letters are written by their colleagues, you get to know the people in the department who can put in a good word for you, or you may even get to know the people who end up reviewing your application” - @10outof10ley

“Sometimes students prioritize summer classes over research experiences ... Getting that summer experience early allows you to learn more about the field, school, and meet people that will continue to help you the rest of your career” - @laarcy7

“Will I be able to afford the program?”

In fact, you get paid to perform research during your time there (~$4000 + housing)! This was vital since I needed to send money back home by working, but my family also didn’t want me to sacrifice my education over the summer

“How hard is it to get into one?”

REU programs are typically competitive, but this should not discourage you from applying! This is a great chance to demonstrate your abilities and show that you are capable of holding your own and performing research

Even if you’re not accepted into a program you expressed your passion for wanting to study physics|astronomy, and that you have the determination to succeed in academic. Those some institutions will recognize that when you apply to their grad school

Most of all, “have confidence!! You are so much more qualified than you think. All these white privileged boys are applying to programs they are not qualified for and get it because no one else is [applying]” - @laarcy7

“There’s so many programs I didn’t apply to as an undergrad because I thought I wasn’t good enough. I was scared to get rejection. But what’s the worst that can happen?” - @laarcy7

Which physics|astro programs to apply to:

Look to see if a program offers topics/fields you want to investigate, as well as mentors who can support your growth. Also consider if you would be happy at the university/city the program is located

REU programs are usually at a PWI, and I knew I needed to be in a city that I have some cultural connection to so that I would not feel alone and isolated in the program. That is why I prioritized programs in cities with a large Ethiopian population

Essays:

Since they are the only section of your application where the admission committee will get a sense of you as a person, essays are easily the most vital part of your application

Your essays should be able to convey why you are passionate about research and the skills you have developed to take on a task. This does not mean that you need to have previous research experience when applying.

For example, I wrote about my experience with studying urban segregation and inequality in Chicago. I demonstrated that I am able to adapt the skills I gained from the experience to a research setting, and have the ability to learn new topics

Advisors will typically choose you because of your essays, and they are looking for that grit and curiosity in learning science. If anything, talk about what physics|astro research you want to do and why you personally want to study it. Prior coding helps, but is not required

“I have also been told it's better to express a broad interest in topics in astro than to zone in on one. It makes it harder to find an advisor even if you're a stellar applicant” - @astrochicana

Also mention why you want to be at that particular program. So refer back to which programs you selected and talk about why you chose them. When writing about potential advisors you have in mind, talk about their research/papers and why they appeal to you

Your essays should be about 500 words/1 page single-space, but there is variation with each program. Make sure to be as concise and clear as possible.

“How can I stay organized throughout this process?”

My advice would be to make an excel/Google Sheet of the programs you want to apply to, listing the reasons you’re applying there as well as people who you will ask rec letters from

Make a word/Google Doc for each of the program essay prompts, so you can easily revise your essays

“Who should I ask a letter from?”
Typically professors, advisors, people who can attest that you’d make a great candidate. Generally better to ask someone who knows you very well and can advocate for you and your abilities.

The earliest deadlines for many of these applications are late January, so reach out to potential letter writers ASAP

Additional resources:

I found this guide by @astrobites to be helpful while applying, and assisted me in making this thread:
astrobites.org/2018/01/08/its…

@That_Astro_Chic made a wonderful thread of applying to both REU & grad programs that contains comments/advice from many experts

https://twitter.com/realscientists/status/1051857177776988160

You mentors will be immensely helpful while applying, and can help you with your application. @astrochicana and @laarcy7 offered to look over essays for students of color and provide helpful feedback

https://twitter.com/astrochicana/status/1075218924290146305

If you don’t get into a summer program, see if you can perform paid summer research at your home institution or an affiliated institution. Also apply to programs/conferences that support URM students (SACNAS, NSBP, etc.)

There are many students of color on Twitter, and we can tell you about our personal experiences or stuff we heard down the grapevine about a program/university/advisor

You will feel exhausted throughout the application process but keep pushing forward! There were many white men in our classes that thought highly of themselves, and believed they were more likely than us to be accepted. We were the ones that ended up getting into summer programs.

Y’all have so much potential even if you don’t recognize it. We wish you all the best!!

Side note: You also get funded to attend conferences such as AAS & NSF CUR Symposium, as well as have the opportunity to meet other students of color in astro|physics