Here is a guide for all the details of making a good poster, what to do at a conference, and how to prepare a talk.
University of Washington Early Identification Program
Research
Research is becoming an increasingly important dimension of graduate school preparation. As an undergraduate, you can become involved in the research endeavor in various ways. You may conduct a research project, either here at UW or at another institution, during the summer or over the academic year. You can also receive funding to do research. Some labs offer work-study positions to students. Also, programs around campus, throughout the Seattle area, and across the country offer research scholarships. You should speak with an EIP Graduate Advisor to find out more about these opportunities.Undergraduate Research Program (URP)
The University of Washington URP maintains an ongoing list of undergraduate research opportunities, listed by department. You should check their web site often for updated information. In addition, you should be in contact with your undergraduate advisor and professors about research opportunities in your department.Scholars Lounge (Schmitz 377)
Drop by the Lounge anytime Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm to meet with advisors, chat with other students, read the paper (the PI and Times every week), use the computers, and access our library. We have GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc books, as well as other resources. Here is a partial list:
Title Author Volumes Academic Discourse Gail Stygall College Reading and Study Skills Kathleen T. McWhorter Discovering Academic Writing Barbara Harris Leonhard Gender-Responsible Leadership Catharine Herr Van Nostrand Great Jobs for English Majors Julie De Galan and Stephen Lambert Internships Sara Dulany Gilbert Making the Most of College Richard J. Light Reference Library of American Men I-IV Reference Library of Black America I-V Reference Library of Native North America I-IV Starting Out, Starting Over Linda Patterson The Academic Kitchen Maresi Nerad The American Collge and University Frederick Rudolph The Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos and Latinas in the United States I-IV The Uses of the University Clark Kerr Up From Slavery Booker T. Washington Summer Research Programs
The EIP Undergraduate Research Opportunities web page provides a comprehensive list of summer research opportunities, both here at UW as well as at other universities. Institutions throughout the U.S. sponsor 8-10 week structured research programs. These programs invite undergraduates from around the country to apply for a position in the program. Summer research programs often include generous stipends, presentation opportunities, and GRE preparation courses. While many programs are targeted to science and engineering majors, there are programs at various institutions for all majors. Application deadlines for summer research programs fall in January or February of that year. Each January, EIP hosts a "Summer Research Programs" workshop, in which we explain the importance of such opportunities and help you through the application process. Also, our Graduate Advisors spend individual time with you working on polishing your applications. Summer research programs are a wonderful way of spending time in another part of the country, visiting graduate schools, and getting paid to do research.
Mary Gates Research Scholarship
Mary Gates Research Scholarships are competitive scholarships intended to enhance the educational experiences of undergraduate students at the University of Washington while they are engaged in research guided by faculty. In 2009-2010, we are offering two-quarter ($4,000) scholarships. Awards are made in two quarterly installments of $2,000.
Students receive research scholarships to pursue research in a variety of disciplines. To learn more about research in the social sciences, arts, and humanities click here (Pdf).
University of Washington Honors Program
We also encourage students to become involved with the University of Washington Honors Program (http://depts.washington.edu/uwhonors). Students can participate in either College Honors (a full, four-year program combining Honors core and Honors courses in the major) or in Departmental Honors (advanced Honors courses in the major department only). College Honors students satisfy the Areas of Knowledge requirements as they complete their Honors core curriculum. Students will commonly enter Departmental Honors after two years of college work, normally at the time they declare their major.Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards
The Undergraduate Scholarship Office (http://www.washington.edu/students/ugrad/scholar/) helps UW undergraduates find, apply for, and win scholarships. They have a large and continuously updated database of merit-based scholarships for undergraduates, and they offer workshops every quarter to help you through the often daunting process of locating appropriate scholarships for yourself. They also help outstanding undergraduates compete for large, national scholarships that require nomination.Recommended Reading
The EIP/McNair program has compiled a reading list aimed towards our students who are thinking about pursuing a graduate education. We have created this reading list for students from all backgrounds, but particularly for those we aim to serve, to assist them as they reach onward and upward in their pursuit of higher education. A very special thank you and note of sincere appreciation are extended to the members of the University of Washington Special Committee on Minority Faculty Affairs for their thoughtful contributions to this work.