Eligibility

An eligible student:

• Is a US citizen or a permanent resident.

• Has a valid passport in hand at the time of application and is able to meet visa requirements for selected countries.

• Is willing and able to travel to selected host site abroad during the scheduled program dates, and agrees to PRIME's terms of participation.
  
  
• Is enrolled as a full time student at UCSD.
  
  
• Has a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0).
  
  
• Will return to UCSD as an enrolled student for at least one quarter following their PRIME internship.
  
  
• Is willing to embrace new and exciting international and cultural experiences!

Notes:

• Normally, the student would be between his/her sophomore and junior year in college. Special cases will be considered, but it is recommended that the applicant contact one of the organizers of the program prior to submitting a completed application.
  
  
• Students accepted into the program receive support to supplement the costs of airfare, housing, food and incidental expenses. Most students selected to participate in PRIME will need to use personal funds for non-supplemented expenses. Students are encouraged to apply for UCSD scholarships! Funds from these scholarships will be used to pay for supported costs of the program.
  
  
• Selected students are expected to devote at least four hours per week during Spring Quarter, working with their mentors, in preparation for the research and cultural experiences abroad.
  
  
• The student does not need to be enrolled in Sixth College.

A.  Internship application

• Complete Preliminary Application Form 2010
  After completing this form, please save it to your computer.  Go to this link to submit your pre-application (only available when applications are being accepted).

• Complete Application Form 2010
  After completing this form, please save it to your computer.  Go to this link to submit your application (only available when applicaitons are being accepted)
  
  
• Application instructions and materials can be found here.

B.  Personal statement

• Personal statement regarding "why" you are interested in the program, what you hope to achieve from this experience, and what your long- term professional plans are. The statement would include any relevant background experience.  Remember that this statement often serves as your writing sample; please make sure that it is well written (500 words or less), edited and spell checked. 

C.  Proposed set of activities

• Please detail a short description of your proposed set of activities (including your plan to discuss the project during spring quarter with host scientists).

D.  CV

• Submit a copy of your most current Curriculum Vitae (CV/Resume).  Examples are shown here.

E.  Letters of support or agreement

• E.1.  Letter of support from UCSD mentor.

• E.2.  Letter of agreement from host mentor.  An advantage of working with PRAGMA is that all of the hosts are known individuals who have been working together for at least a year, and in many cases for much longer.

F.  Transcript(s)

The selection committee will be reviewing your transcripts via StudentLink.

Application process

Preliminary Application: 

Students are recommended to submit a Preliminary Application Form by 22 January 2010. This will allow the program coordinators to assist students with preparing required application materials.  Save the form to your computer and click here to upload and submit it.  You will receive a confirmation notice by email that your preliminary application has been received.

Applying for a PRIME Internship:

• Review materials on the web

• Complete and submit the Preliminary Application Form by 22 January 2010 (optional but strongly recommended)

• Identify potential projects, mentors, and host institutions

• Discuss project with one of the program coordinators, a local mentor, and a host scientist

• Information regarding the submission of complete application forms can be found here

• Meet with AIP staff to ensure materials are complete
  
  
• Complete and submit the final Application Form
  
  
• Deadline for application materials: 4pm on 19 February 2010

Selection Process:

• Program Coordinators, together with some UCSD mentors and all host mentors, will review applications

• Criteria for selection among eligible students will include:

  • Quality of the application, reflected in personal statement; letter from UCSD mentor, academic standing, and any prior experience

  • Plausibility of the planned project, and in particular the statement from the host mentor

  • Likely impact on the education of the student

  • Likely impact of planned project

  • Perceived willingness to assist with the PRIME program in future years

  • Willingness to learn the language of the host country is a plus

   

Note: It is expected that successful students will take the initiative to contact the host mentor.

• Some students will be invited for a final interview before selection process is complete in early March 2010.

• References will be contacted prior to any final selection 

• Selection will be decided before the beginning of Spring Quarter 2010.