Undergraduate Research Assistants Program (URAP)

URAP: An Unusual Research Opportunity

What if there were a program that gave you the opportunity (and $1,000 every semester) to work with a professor on an exciting research project; meet with other top students and their research mentors several times a year; and create a resume that will truly stand out from the crowd?

There is. It is called the Undergraduate Research Assistants Program (URAP).

As Dr. Jack Steehler , director of URAP and professor of chemistry explains, "Our students follow a research project wherever it leads, which is the way research goes. They get the opportunity to give presentations at professional conferences and contribute to academic publications. They develop close working relationships with their mentors which lead to superb references for graduate schools or positions of employment. Finally, they graduate with what is essentially a master's project under their belts - and a real sense of accomplishment."

URAP is offered in both a one year version and a four year version. The four year URAP positions involve students in research projects throughout their four year education at Roanoke, beginning with the very first semester. Financial support is offered each semester throughout the four year period. Additional URAP positions are offered for a single year period of research support. Awarded to incoming freshmen, the single year URAP positions allow additional flexibility in project selection, since they are used during the student's second, third, or fourth year at Roanoke. All URAP applicants are automatically considered for both types of award, but may opt out of either program if desired. For students entering in Fall, 2010, twelve "four year" awards will be made, along with five "one year" awards.

While URAP is extraordinary, it is also - fair warning - highly competitive. Roanoke receives many applications each year from incoming high school seniors for the twelve projects in the "four year" program, and the five "one year" awards.

Here's how the process works: Interested students review the list of possible "four year" research projects and rank their preferences; the research mentors then review the applications and select students to be interviewed; and, finally, a match is made, a match that, again, can last four years . All applicants are also automatically considered for the "one year" awards, unless they opt out of that program.

According to Professor Steehler , professors seek students who are "smart," "enthusiastic" and "focused" to participate in URAP. Do these labels fit you? Are you up for the challenge of graduate-level research?

You must apply during the winter of your senior year of high school. Applications for the Fall 2010 URAP positions will be accepted starting in mid-October, 2009. The deadline for applying is February 1, 2010.

Apply to URAP