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Sustaining Excellence in Research (SER) Scholars Program

 

About the SER Scholars Program

Sustaining Excellence in Research (SER) Scholars are freshmen & sophomore students in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines who are invited to participate in the SER Scholars Program, based on a constellation of factors relevant to the student’s academic preparation for the science and engineering course work at Rice.

In the HHMI SER Scholars Program, students receive support to achieve academic excellence. They attend regular mentoring meetings with program staff, and are paired with peer academic mentors from their own college that can give them up to 2 hours of individual tutoring per week helping them with problem sets and exams as needed. SER Scholars are also placed in a lab either within Rice or the Texas Medical Center, where they receive a $10.00 per hour for the first 150 hours of their work, a stipend equal to $1500 per academic year. In addition, there are monthly meetings and workshops to network with other Scholars and learn new study and stress management skills.

 

2015 - 2016 SER Scholars Student Board

 

Selection Process

  • Application

  • Review

  • Appointment


Application


You can submit an application online

 

The application consists of:

  • An undergraduate student fact sheet 

  • A one page statement explaining your interest in research and the program (max 500 words)

  • A consent to release information form (attached),

  • Name, email address and phone number of two references (from an high school teacher, instructor, Master, RA, employer, current Rice faculty)

  • Informal transcript

  •  

Please note that your application will not be reviewed until all required materials have been received. 

 

There will be two application deadlines per year. 

 

Sophomores: We will start accepting applications for Sophomore STEM Majors on August 31st and the final deadline will be September 30th. We recommend that you submit your materials well before the deadline and verify that everything has been received by our office.

Freshmen: The deadline for submitting an application for Freshman STEM Majors will be November 20th. 


Review
 

Once we have received all of your materials, we will review your application. Students who meet the eligibility criteria and submit extraordinary application packages will be invited to interview with SER Scholars selection committee members.


Appointment


Candidates who receive offers of appointment need to notify us as soon as possible as to whether they will accept the offer and become SER Scholars. We will work with you to identify a research lab placement matched to your interest within 3 weeks after acceptance.

 

Email Dr. Sandra Bishnoi (sbishnoi@rice.edu) if you have any questions about how you can apply to become a part of this exciting program.

 

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