Junior Fellows in the Life Sciences
Survey for 2007-2008 Current Junior Fellows ONLY
About the Program:
The Junior Fellows program recognizes and rewards the academic achievements of twelve outstanding senior life science majors each year. The program gives top-drawer students some much-needed recognition, an important intellectual challenge, and the chance to relate to faculty members as fellow scientists.
Junior Fellows are selected each Spring from among junior life science majors. Selections are made by a faculty committee. Prospective awardees submit written project proposals and are interviewed in person. This intensive selection process ensures that each successful applicant is indeed an exceptional and motivated student.
Each Junior Fellow receives a cash award of $1000 and is expected to complete an independent research project. Fellows are also expected to meet weekly for seminars and discussion, and to present their research results with a poster presentation (Fall semester) and a spoken presentation (Spring semester).
Program Description:
The year long Jr. Fellows Program supports the research of outstanding Seniors majoring in the life sciences. Each Jr. Fellow will receive a $1,000 award and take part in a 1 credit course that will involve discussion of their research projects as well as other topics in modern cell and molecular biology, neuroscience, biomedicine, and research ethics. Junior Fellows play a central role in organizing the UMass Undergraduate Science Research Symposium in the Spring semester. Each Fall and Spring semesters will conclude with a public poster or seminar session.
Eligibility:
Students eligible to apply to the Jr. Fellows Program include life science majors in their Junior year with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better.
Deadlines:
*Application deadline extended to Friday May 2*
Applications should be completed and turned in by Friday May 2 to the HHMI Undergraduate Science Program Office (Morrill 3, room 326). Selection notification will be made by May 9th.
Application Requirements:
*To apply, please download the 2008-2009 Junior Fellows Application Form. It is a form that can be filled out right on your computer, printed and dropped off in room 326.
*Request an official copy of your transcript from the registrar and have it mailed to (or include it with your application):
HHMI Undergraduate Science Program
Biology Department
326 Morrill Science Center
If the HHMI Undergraduate Science Program already has the most updated official copy of your transcript, please note somewhere in your application that you would like it to be used as part of your application to the Junior Fellows Program.
*Personal Statement: This essay is a very important part of the application. Please write a one to two page essay describing your research interests, academic history, career goals, and any other experiences that will help us assess your application.
*Recommendation Letters: If you do not already have a faculty research sponsor, you are responsible for finding one who is willing to supervise your research project in his/her lab for the duration of the year. Give a recommendation form to your two faculty references and have them return the completed form to you to include with your application package.
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact:
Sebastian Z. Ramos
szramos@bio.umass.edu
413-577-4147
Current Junior Fellows:
Past Junior Fellows: