STEM Ph.D. Recruitment Event

WHAT IS THE EVENT?

The Vanderbilt STEM Recruitment event is an initiative created to provide an opportunity for a select group of highly talented underrepresented minority students to learn more about the Ph.D. programs at Vanderbilt and, more importantly, the process of developing from a graduate student into an independent researcher. The event also seeks to provide Vanderbilt faculty members with an additional pool of students who in the past might not have applied for admission to a Ph.D. program at Vanderbilt due to their not being aware of the graduate education opportunities at Vanderbilt.

The event will open with a dinner on Thursday evening, October 28, 2010 to welcome students to Vanderbilt and Nashville. On Friday, participating departments will hold an Open House event for students who have expressed an interest in one of their Ph.D. programs. On Saturday, all students will attend a session conducted by GEM (The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science, Inc.) called “FFP” (Future Faculty and Professionals) to learn more about the graduate school experience and additional funding sources. The event will conclude with lunch on Saturday afternoon.

Participation in this event is by invitation only.  Students will be notified if they are selected by the VU-EDGE program on or about September 27, 2010.  No other persons may attend this event.

 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

Juniors and seniors who are majoring in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) field, are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, are from an under-represented minority group (African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and Native Americans), and are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in a discipline offered at Vanderbilt are eligible to participate in this event. Students must have earned a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA and have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in their major.   Also, students must NOT have been a participant in an extra-mural research experience at Vanderbilt.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Eligible students MUST:

1. Complete the GEM online application at (http://www.gemfellowship.org/gem-fellowship/apply) by Friday, September 17, 2010 at 5 PM Eastern (the normal GEM Fellowship application deadline is much later. However, for consideration for the Vanderbilt STEM Recruitment Event, the GEM application must be completed by September 17th at 5 PM Eastern).

 

 2. Indicate "Vanderbilt University" as one of your 3 choices for graduate school (via question 6: Graduate School Preferences) on the on-line GEM application.

 

 3. Send a copy of your official transcript to the VU-EDGE program postmarked by Friday, September 17, 2010 to:

Office to Enhance Diversity In Graduate Education
Vanderbilt University
411 Kirkland Hall
Nashville, TN 37240     

 

WHAT ARE THE VANDERBILT PHD STEM PROGRAMS?

Biomedical Engineering
Chemical and Physical Biology
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in the Biomedical and Biological Sciences
• Biochemistry
• Biological Sciences
• Cancer Biology
• Cell & Developmental Biology
• Human Genetics
• Microbiology & Immunology
• Molecular Physiology & Biophysics
• Neuroscience
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
Interdisciplinary Materials Science
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Physics and Astronomy

 

TIPS ON APPLYING

1) Official Transcripts: Make arrangements now with your institution’s registrar to have a copy of your official transcript sent to the VU-EDGE office. Most registrars require significant lead time to mail transcripts.

2) Recommendation Letters: When filling out the GEM application you will enter in your recommender’s names and emails. The GEM system will send an automatic email directly to your recommender’s email address with instructions to submit their recommendation on-line. They will be required to answer 10 questions about your abilities and will be given the option to upload a letter.

Contact three (3) individuals now to give them sufficient time to compose a strong letter on your behalf. Please inform them they will receive an email from “GEM Messaging” giving them access to your GEM application. Please ask them to fill out the questionnaire and upload a letter. Three recommendation letters must be submitted by Friday, September 17, 2010 at 5 PM Eastern .

3) Graduate School Preference: In order for Vanderbilt to receive a copy of your GEM application to consider your sponsorship and participation in this 2010 Vanderbilt STEM recruitment event, you MUST list Vanderbilt University as your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd choice for graduate school on question 6 of your GEM on-line application.

 

 

HOW WILL SELECTIONS BE MADE?

Applications from qualified students will be reviewed by Vanderbilt University faculty members. Decisions will be based on the applicant’s credentials, the content of the application, and the compatibility of the applicant’s research interests with those of a Vanderbilt faculty member.

 

WHEN WILL APPLICANTS BE NOTIFIED ABOUT SELECTION DECISIONS?

Students will be notified by email about selection decisions between September 27-29, 2010. Students should confirm their acceptance no later the Friday, October 1, 2010.

Participation in this event is by invitation only.  No other persons may attend this event.

 

For further details, please contact the VU-EDGE program.