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STARS Summer Research Experience For Undergraduates (REU)

The STARS REU allows students to participate in high-level faculty-mentored research projects over an eight-week program. Students that participate in STARS REU have the opportunity to present their culminating research projects at our annual Cal Poly Pomona Creative Activities & Research Symposium (CPP CARS). Students who participate in the STARS REU during the 8-weeks can expect the following:

  • work on a faculty-mentored research project for about 40 hours per week
  • participate in a culminating experience by articulating what they have learned on a research poster or oral presentation at the annual summer symposium
  • create a community of scholars by networking and engaging with students from other research labs
  • learn about lab safety training
The STARS REU program can only fund a smaller number of scholars during the summer REU vs. the academic year (fall and spring). As such, the program will be having a separate application for the STARS REU. Although space is not guaranteed, priority will be given to current STARS Scholars. 
The STARS REU is expected to start on June 10, 2024 and end on August 8, 2024,

STARS Summer REU Application Now Closed

The deadline to apply is April 12, 2024.

 

 

Eligibility

  1. Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 
  2. Submit an unofficial copy of your transcript.
  3. Submit a Financial Aid Report from your institution. 
  4. Be a current STEM major (at CPP, Mt.SAC, or Citrus College) or plan to become a STEM major. 
  5. OPTIONAL: Positive recommendation form(s).

Application Instructions

How to Apply

Application must be submitted using the Online Application Form and supporting documents must be emailed. Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the program email: stars@cpp.edu.  A complete application package will include:
  1. The application form can be accessed HERE.  
  2. The Financial Aid Report can be an unofficial report from your institution’s web portal that provides a summary of your award package for the academic year. Students will have the opportunity to upload the Financial Aid Report in the application form.
  3. Unofficial copies of your Academic Transcript. Students will have the opportunity to upload the unofficial transcript in the application form.
  4. Optional: Recommendation Form(s) from Individuals who are able to comment on the applicant’s academic ability including faculty advisors at the student’s home institution or mentors from previous research activities. See Recommendation Form section below.
  5. All the documents must be converted to pdf files and saved as the document name_last name.pdf (Example: Transcript_Smith.pdf and Financial_Aid_Smith.pdf)
  6. Please apply through the application form and submit the Financial Aid Report and Academic Transcript in the prompted sections of the form. 
 

Recommendation Form

  • Recommenders should include the applicant's name and field of study, and a ranking or evaluation of the applicant relative to their peer group.  Recommendation form can be dowloaded HERE (PDF).
  • The recommendation form must be downloaded and saved to access all the application fields including the digital signature field. Forms must be saved as Recommendation_Last name of the applicant.pdf (Example: Recommendation_Smith.pdf).
  • Student applicant, please make sure to download and share the recommendation form with you recommender. We ask that you also provide them with the instruction for submission and the deadline. 
  • Recommenders must submit all completed forms here: Qualtrics Submission Link
    • Reccomendation Due Date: April 12, 2024
    • Note: Recommendations submitted by students will NOT be accepted. Recommendations must be submitted by faculty only.

 

Selection Criteria

Selection to the STARS Program will be based on many factors including but not limited to: 
  • Commitment to complete a STEM degree program.
  • Potential for effective faculty mentor-student relationship.
  • Completeness of the application packet.
  • Alignment between research interests and available research projects.
  • Appropriate academic qualifications.
  • Strong motivation to carry out the project and potential for growth/educational value as evidenced in the recommendation form and application questions.
  • Underrepresented students such as Hispanic/Latinx, low-income, first-generation, students with disabilities, and disconnected students are strongly encouraged to apply.