Have a question? Contact us at spur@uoregon.edu

What is the SPUR application deadline?

There is not a hard deadline. Typically, we will begin reviewing and making offers in mid February. We will continue to accept and review applications until all positions are filled, typically by about April 1st for visiting students.  

Do I need to submit more than one application to be considered for more than one cohort/lab?

No. You can denote which labs/cohort you are most interested in, but you will be considered for any placement the committee feels will be a good fit. The program relies heavily on finding interns the right lab to match with. The labs you indicate on your application are prioritized, but it is possible to be considered for other labs that we see may fit your specified interests.

How in depth do my personal statements need to be? Is there a word minimum/maximum?

We don’t want you to feel burdened with a long complicated application, but we do want to know about you, your goals, studies, talents, motivation, what you hope to gain, and what you would bring to the program. You should clarify your research interests and perhaps list some labs in which you would like to work. There are few suggested word limits for some of the statements. Generally you should strive to be as concise as you can without omitting any ideas that might help us in evaluating your application.

Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation?

Your letters of recommendation should come from professional people who are qualified to advise us candidly on your abilities, motivation, integrity, intellectual vitality, and enthusiasm for science. They could be from professors, instructors, or other researchers in non-science fields. If you have participated in a prior summer research experience, your mentor from that experience would be suitable.

Why haven’t my recommenders been contacted yet?

We send the request for letters of recommendation only after our first review of your application. If your application advances, we will reach out to your recommenders on your behalf. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, this could take some time.

Is there a GPA cut off for SPUR?

No. Although we seriously consider applicants’ grades, we feel that grades very often do not reflect the creative abilities of prospective scholars; and so, we place heavy emphasis on candid evaluations within recommendation letters that accompany the applications.

What if I have a scheduling conflict?

We have placed our program so that students from both Quarter and Semester system institutions can participate fully in the program. If you have another scheduling conflict, email our administrator as soon as possible.

What research can I be involved in?

The research projects we offer are highly contingent on our participating faculty. The faculty roster change slightly every year. We encourage you to check out all of our faculty webpages, even if you think you would not fit into their research discipline. 

Who qualifies as disadvantaged/underrepresented?

UO SPUR is committed to enhancing diversity in research careers. Please reference this NIH article for more information on the formal definition of disadvantaged or underrepresented groups.