REU Application

Eligibility

Participants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its territories. 

Participants must have a GPA over 3.0. 

Only undergraduate students are eligible. An undergraduate student is a student who is enrolled in a degree program (either part-time or full-time) leading to a bachelor's degree. Students who graduated from their institution prior to the summer program are not eligible to apply. Students who are transferring from one institution to another and are enrolled in neither institutions during the intervening summer, may participate. High school graduates who have not yet enrolled and students who have received their bachelor's degree and are no longer enrolled as an undergraduate student are not eligible. 

Members of underrepresented or underserved minority groups; students with disabilities; first-generation college students; students with limited opportunities for research experiences, and others who would contribute to diversity in other ways are encouraged to apply. 

If selected, students must work full-time in our program and participate in all activities during the duration of the 10-week program, including some weekends.

Selection to the program is based on academic standing and matching of each students’ background and interests with the program. 

The steps for applying to the program are: 

Step 1 - Assemble Application Materials

Applicants should have the following information and materials ready before beginning their application.

1. Current GPA - You will be asked to enter your current GPA.
2. Academic Transcript(s) - You will be asked to upload a digital version of your transcripts through the application form. Transcripts are needed from all undergraduate institutions you have attended. Official and unofficial versions are accepted. Note: Official transcripts sent by the registrar can be sent to us via email (ngrrecintern@lc.edu) or by mail to 1 Confluence Way, East Alton IL 62024, ATTN: Amy Monroe.
3. Resume/CV - 3-page maximum
4. Cover Letter - This is your opportunity to describe yourself and your educational and career goals.
5. Short Essay - Detail your interest in NGRREC’s REU program, “Wetland science in a modern world”. Be sure to indicate how you, based on your scientific background and life experiences, will contribute to the REU program and to NGRREC more broadly.

Step 2 - Complete and Submit the Application

Review your application materials carefully. Once you have submitted your application, you will be unable to modify it.

Step 3 - Sit back, relax and wait!

Notices of acceptance into the program will be sent to applicants beginning in late March. 

After selected students confirm their participation in the program, they will receive a schedule of activities, a roster of all students and research mentor participants in the program and more information on our program, including housing and travel.

The program co-directors will then make tentative assignments of each student to a mentor. These assignments take into consideration any preferences for research areas that the students expressed in their applications. A synopsis of the student's background is sent to the proposed mentor for review and approval and the mentor is instructed to contact the student by email and/or phone to provide the student with background information and materials to be read to prepare the student for the research project.