Application Process

Will the summer 2021 REU program be in-person or virtual?

The program will be virtual.

What is the 2021 application deadline?

The Interfolio online application will close automatically at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on March 5. We recommend that applicants click SUBMIT well before the last hour, so that any technical difficulties do not delay your submission. Please do not submit at the last minute, as we have no control over technical difficulties that may happen in the last few hours prior to the deadline. Late applications cannot be accepted.

Do my letters of recommendation need to be uploaded before I submit my application?

You may submit your application before your letters are uploaded. The letters can be uploaded after you submit. Once all of your other application materials are uploaded, please submit your application even if you are still waiting on letters.  Letters must be uploaded by your letter writers by March 11.

Do I need to send in an official transcript?

Uploading an unofficial PDF copy of your transcript through Fall/Winter term 2021 is adequate.

Who should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?

You may ask anyone to write you a letter, however the strongest letters for this program will be from college professors in science, math, physics, and engineering disciplines.

I tried to submit and got an error from Interfolio. How can I get help?

If you got an error and the application deadline has not yet passed, please contact Interfolio Support for help. If you got an error and the deadline has passed, we will not be able to accept your application late if it wasn’t successfully submitted on time. Please do not submit at the last minute, we have no control over technical difficulties that may happen in the last few hours prior to the deadline. Technical difficulties in the last hour are unpredictable and do not entitle applicants to a deadline extension.

I missed the deadline. Can I still apply?

No, the application must be completed and submitted by the deadline. This is a competitive application, so please plan ahead and do not submit in the last hour.

My application is complete and submitted on time. When will I hear if I am admitted?

All applicants will receive an email notification of the admission decision on or around April 1, 2021.

I uploaded the wrong document and already submitted the application. Can I email you a corrected version?

No, all application materials are received through the online application. No materials will be accepted by email or mail. You can make changes and corrections to your application through Interfolio until the deadline passes.

I need to make a change to my application after submitting. Can I update my application?

After the deadline passes, a submitted application can no longer be changed. You may change your submitted application through Interfolio through the application deadline.

When do the letters of recommendation need to be uploaded?

Letters must be uploaded by writers no later than March 11. They must be uploaded by the deadline in order for your application to be considered complete. Please be sure to communicate this to your letter writers. You can resend a request for a letter of recommendation through Interfolio.

Can my letter writers email or mail their letter?

Letters must be uploaded confidentially through Interfolio; this service does provide letter writers an option to provide them with a written letter which they will then upload and apply to your application. Writers will receive an email with instructions from Interfolio for uploading their letter once you enter their information into the application; you do not need to click submit for them to be notified. You can resend a request for a letter of recommendation through Interfolio.

I am a student at The University of Texas at Austin. Am I eligible?

The National Science Foundation grant supporting this program requires that all participants are from universities external to the REU site. UT Austin students interested in participating in an NSF REU program can search for an REU site here.

I am not a US Citizen, am I eligible?

The National Science Foundation grant supporting this program requires that all participants are US citizens, US nationals, or permanent residents (Green Card holder).

I have more questions. Who do I contact?

Please email us if you have further questions.

Help for Interfolio

Interfolio Help Page for Applicants applying to an institution-hosted position.

Check the status of your application (a.k.a. delivery) through Interfolio.

Interfolio Help Page for Applicants to manage letters requested and resend a letter request.

Interfolio Help Page for Letter Writers submitting a letter requested by an institution.

Summer REU Program

When is the BME CUReS Cancer REU program in summer 2021?

The program dates are May 31 to August 7, 2021.

Will I need to buy a certain kind of laptop or computer or software for this work?

Scholars will need a computer with a webcam and reliable wi-fi access. Scholars will have temporary access to UT licenses for software used during the program.

I have no research experience. Am I eligible?

Yes! Past research experience is not a requirement for this program. The program faculty select cancer research projects appropriate for undergraduate students with no prior research experience for 10 weeks of work, including training.

What majors are eligible?

All engineering disciplines and quantitative science majors are eligible. Any science major that requires higher-level mathematical and statistical methods for undergraduates can be considered quantitative science.

I am a junior (rising senior). Can I apply?

Yes. Keep in mind the offers for this program are prioritized for rising sophomores (first-year students completing their first year), and the program focuses research and professional development activities targeted for rising sophomores, so your application may not be as competitive for this program as a rising junior or senior.

I haven’t taken any biology or biomedical classes yet. Can I still do biomedical engineering research?

Yes! Biomedical engineering is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to solve problems to improve medicine. This summer program focuses on cancer-related research, but no previous knowledge of cancer biology is required. See the key research challenges for more information.

How many hours a week are Scholars expected to be committed to the program?

Weekly activities and research requirements will vary. Scholars should expect to commit the equivalent of a full-time job, or about 30-40 hours per week. Other employment or coursework during the duration of the program is not allowed.

I understand that Scholars must submit an abstract for the BMES Annual Meeting in October 2021. If I participate in this program, am I required to attend the meeting?

Yes, and Scholars will be provided funds to support their travel to the 2021 BMES Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX. Additionally, the REU directors, graduate student mentors, and faculty mentors who attend the BMES meeting will arrange a BME CURes Cancer reunion each year at BMES.