Math REU's for International Student?

[dshinka]

<p>I have a friend who's a Math major who wishes to participate in an REU to give him a better shot at grad school. Apparently the NSF-funded REU's don't allow non-US Citizens to participate, so are there any Math REU's that international students can participate in?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

[b_r_um]

<p>Williams runs the only math REU I am aware of which considers international students for funding. Many NSF-funded REUs are happy to let international students participate if they do not ask for funding. Does your friend have enough money so that he does not need a $4,000 stipend? Or does his college have grants or scholarships for students to participate in off-campus programs? I know that my college has off-campus summer research grants which have been used by international students to participate in NSF-funded REUs.</p>

<p>Another option is to stay on campus and work with a professor at his own college. An REU will not give him a magic bump in the grad school admission process and - minus the group work - he would have the same experience.</p>

[PrincessNelly]

<p>^ Excuse me, how exactly are we supposed to let NSF know we’d like to participate in an REU if it is stated that only US citizens/permanent residents are eligible? Do we send an email to a particular REU we might want to participate in? And does it really cost $4,000 to do one summer of research? Or is that what an individual gets paid for doing the work? I apologize for all the questions, but I’ve been searching for REUs day and night for next summer, with no avail.</p>

<p>By the way, I’m currently attending a college in the US. I’ve been on A-2 status since 1994.</p>

[b_r_um]

<p>You contact the director of each program and ask if they consider self-funded participants. There’s no direct contact whatsoever between REU participants and the NSF, not for US citizens and not for international students either.</p>

<p>

And does it really cost $4,000 to do one summer of research? Or is that what an individual gets paid for doing the work?

The $4,000 referred to the stipend the participants get (and often free room and board). In many cases the NSF will also pay for the professors’ time, in which case the program may not be allowed to admit international students.</p>

[sefago]

<p>Hey have u checked Caltech’s SURF program?</p>

[b_r_um]

<p>Is there a difference between applying to SURF and contacting random professors to see if they have the time and money to support a summer research student?</p>

<p>

** The Application Process**
Students must identify and contact a mentor and collaborate with the mentor to develop and define the research project. This early interaction is a very important part of the application process. Non-Caltech students usually have to accomplish this discussion via e-mail, phone, or fax. If a student is in the area, we encourage him/her to visit the campus and meet the mentor.</p>

<p>…</p>

<p>For non-Caltech students, SURF has extremely limited funding. Mentors will usually have to bear the full cost of the award for non-Caltech students.

</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.surf.caltech.edu/applicants/application/non-caltech.html[/url]”>http://www.surf.caltech.edu/applicants/application/non-caltech.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[sefago]

<p>I was just making a program suggestion. Imperial College also has an UROP program but I dont know if they take international students. Your friend should check that out</p>

[b_r_um]

<p>I am sorry if my previous post sounded harsh. I wasn’t trying to criticize your suggestion. </p>

<p>When I read the SURF description, I was thinking, “If you need to find your own mentor, project and funding, why restrict yourself to Caltech and not ask around at other universities too?” The advantage of traditional REUs is that they provide these things for you. SURF doesn’t really sound like a program in that respect.</p>