Who is a mentor?

A mentor is a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. In the case of this program the UCSD mentor would be selected from the faculty or research staff at UCSD who is willing and able to provide guidance before, during, and after the project.  The mentor would be willing to work with you to help describe the project and identify goals to be achieved over the course of the project.

How do I find a mentor in 2010?

For PRIME 2010 the attached workbook has two worksheets. One worksheet lists the UCSD mentors (alphabetically) with previous students in the program, areas of interest, and known interactions with specific host sites.  Another worksheet lists the same information arranged by host sites (alphabetically).

Notes:

• UCSD mentors tend to focus on one or two projects, and often work with only one or two specific host sites.
• If you realize that your UCSD mentor does not have a connection with a site, please re-consider that site or let one of us know.
• You do not have to choose a UCSD mentor from this list or a project from this list. If you wish to work with a different mentor, please let us know. However, these are the only host sites that we work with.
  

How do I find a mentor at UCSD?  

The web site http://prime.ucsd.edu has a list of individuals who are eligible and willing to serve as a mentor. Please contact them directly if you are interested in their research area.

We strongly recommend working with a mentor who has already agreed to participate in the program, since that will assist in making connections with the host-site mentors and it will facilitate putting together a successful application.

Please note that mentors often have contacts with one of the host sites, not all of them.  While the program is open to new interacts, please keep in mind this may be difficult. Collaborations are built on trust and knowing the other people involved.

Finally, if there is a professor you think would be interested in becoming involved, please let us know as soon as possible.

How do I find a mentor at a host institution?

The PRIME program will assist in make the connections with mentors based on projects as well as mentor's and student's interests.  Please contact Teri Simas to make an appointment to talk with one of us.

For a joint research project as envisioned by PRIME to be successful, the mentors will need to agree on a project. PRIME will help make the connections between mentors.

Update to 'How do I find a mentor?'

Both mentors (the UCSD mentor and the host country mentor) must be adequately informed and must participate and partner with the student at every stage of the project development process.  The creation of strong mentor-to-mentor connections takes several conversations.  Please keep this in mind as you are preparing your application.

In addition to looking at the list of UCSD mentors on the PRIME site, please also read the project summaries of previous students (See questions on Projects below). But remember, you are not restricted to either mentors or projects that have been done before.
 

Projects:

How do I develop a project (set of activities)?

In general a project should be developed with a mentor, with some ideas or interests you have and some ideas and possible needs the mentor sees.

Possible areas for research projects are listed on the web site http://prime.ucsd.edu, under Projects and Activities. In particular, look at link from the line “Information regarding specific projects" can be found here. This link will take you to detailed descriptions of other students projects. See also Progress Report and Presentations. Finally, more information about the projects may be in the most recent PRAGMA Collaborative Overview Brochure, at http://prime.ucsd.edu.

These are not the only research activities.  However, we know that for each of these areas there can be a collaboration with one of the current host sites (this is important for the overall success of an application).

How do I address the requirement of 'Plans to discuss project during spring quarter with Host Scientists'?

Once we have identified a mentor at a host institution, the student and the mentors should construct a plan to interact and work on the project before the student arrives at the host site (and subsequent to selection).  This could include the use of video teleconferencing technology which this program can supply.

In the section on Short proposed set of activities, the applicant should indicate what will be done prior to arriving at the host site, i.e., planning meetings, preliminary research.

Eligibility:

Is it required to have a 3.0 GPA? What if I have a 3.0 GPA in my major?

GPA is one of several indicators of ability to perform well.  Since the students selected will be ''cyber-ambassadors between the U.S. and East Asia'', we will be looking to send individuals who will represent UCSD well.
Other indicators of performance are interest level, enthusiasm, the ability to communicate well, and initiative.
We have based the 3.0 GPA based on other competitive summer internship programs. There can be extenuating circumstances regarding the GPA, such as a GPA of 3.0 in the major, with overall GPA above 2.8, or other relevant experience.  Please feel free to contact us in those cases.

Why have you added the phrase “selected students are expected to devote at least four hours per week in Spring Quarter preparing for the research and cultural experience”?

Nine weeks is a very short period of time, and especially very short in thc conduct of a research project. Feedback from students in years 2004, 2005, and 2006 urged the program to strongly encourage more preparation before arriving at the host site. This would allow for the time at the host site to be learning gaining new knowledge unique to that site and allow a faster start into the program. Furthermore, translates into getting further in the research, even to the point of having enough research conducted to outline a paper for publication.

Activities during the Spring Quarter could include reading research papers on the topic of the proposed project, learning computer techniques, getting accounts on computers at UCSD and at the host site, refining the project objectives, and learning some of the language of the host site.

Do I have to be between my sophomore and junior year to participate?

We feel that students who have completed at least two years of undergraduate education will be better prepared to fully take advantage of the opportunities in this program.

We also understand that there may be exceptionally talented and qualified first year students, but this would be an exception rather than the rule.  If you have questions, please contact us. We do encourage freshman to be involved in our local activities, to better understand how the program works and thereby improving their chances for being accepted at a later date.

We envision the research experience will continue even after the students return to the US. In addition to the research itself, the experience should increase cultural competency and communication skills as well as build a community of PRIME members.

We expect students who return from their summer experience will finalize the project with their UCSD mentor; reflect upon their experience in a re-entry workshop on cultural awareness, in orientation sessions for potential students, and in a final paper; and take the opportunity to present their research and experience at the undergraduate research conference. Finally, we are strongly encouraging students to continue their research in the labs of the UCSD host mentors.

These expectations can only be met by returning students (i.e. not graduating seniors). In particular, priority for our selection would be given to students who are returning full time.
 

Application Process:

Will I be asked for an interview?

Before accepting a student into the program, the student will be interviewed by the program.

What should a letter of support contain?

The letter of support should indicate how long the mentor has known the applicant, describe the previous interactions (e.g. known in course work, worked in lab), outline the development of the project, and give an assessment of the students overall capability and qualities.  

Priority will be given to mentors who are willing to participate in regular VTCs with the students during the research experience and indicate how the student might continue to stay involved in research after the summer.

Selection Process::

What can I do to improve my chances of being selected?

We used a number of criteria to accept students into the program, including GPA, personal statement, proposed project, and personal references.

Three qualities that have stood out in the review process:

-         Prior experience in working on projects: This is not a requirement, but having had this experience, especially in an area of developing or using pieces of cyberinfrastructure technology, have been helpful.

-         Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills: This was often demonstrated via being a student counselor, orientation leader, or resident assistant,. It is not required, but the ability to interact with a variety of individuals is a valuable asset as it helps to determine if the student will successfully adapt to the different cultural environment.

-         Initiative: This characteristic is important in research and for the internship.


 

Expenses:

Does the PRIME program cover all of my expenses during my internship?

The amount of support is calculated based on the cost of a round-trip ticket to and from the host site, cost of accommodations at the host site, cost of meals of a student at the local site, and a fixed amount for other expenses.  Funds will be provided to supplement the cost of the program, but it is not the intent of the program to cover all possible expenses during the course of the internship.

Will I get credit, a transcript notation, or have this experience recorded as a permanent part of the academic record?   

Each individual selected for and participating in this program is enrolled in the Academic Internship Program (AIP).  The student will receive one credit for the work and will create a title crafted to the experience that becomes part of the permanent academic record.

Students wishing to enroll for more credit may do so, but will need to pay for the extra credits themselves.  Contact AIP for information about more credit.

While at the Host Site:  

What are the working hours at the host site?

It is expected that students will work 40 hours per week during their nine week internship. The specific working hours will be determined in discussion between the students and the host mentor.  Changes from the agreed upon schedule must be approved by the host mentor.

Inability to keep the agreed upon schedule could result in the students inability to complete the internship. (See What if I become unable to complete the internship?)

What if I become ill during the internships?

If a student is ill, he/she should inform the mentor immediately to insure appropriate medical care is received.

What if I become unable to complete the internship?

Depending on the reason and timing for your inability to complete the internship, several options may be available:

• Research Component: A decision regarding the ability to earn the unit(s) of AIP credit must be made in consultation with the host mentor, the UCSD mentor, and AIP. It may be possible to request an extension to complete the research upon return (to be completed within a quarter of return).
  
  
• Cultural Awareness Training: The decision upon completing this component will be made by the directors of the program, in consultation with the student.

If you leave the program early (for example by withdrawing from AIP credit, through illness, or for other reasons), you will be held responsible for reimbursing PRIME for a prorated portion of funds that have been advanced to you.