SURF for a non-Caltech student?

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
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<p>I get the impression that SURF's are quite hard to obtain for non-Caltech students as compared to Caltech students (not really sure though--it might just be because Caltech students are smarter?). From your previous experiences, roughly how many of your fellow SURFers were from outside the school? I am a ChemE student at UC Berkeley with a 3.94 GPA and some research experience. I think I can obtain one good rec and two okay, but still positive rec letters. Assuming I can get a reasonably good mentor evaluation, how would my chances look? Any general tips on the mentor interview besides the obvious? (reading up on the prof's old publications, etc.)</p>

<p>I'd also like to ask about one of the recommendation letter requirements listed here</p>

<p>Summer</a> Undergraduate Research Fellowships .. S U R F .. <caltech> ..</caltech></p>

<p>does the "relevant discipline" mentioned in the rec letter blurb mean that two letters must be from people in my department, or does it mean that two letters must be from people in the department relevant to the subject of the SURF for which I apply? I'm a ChemE who might be interested in working in some project not listed under ChemE in the announcements of opportunity (I guess I'll know that when more AOs are released).</p>

<p>Also, would my chances get boosted if I told the potential SURF mentor that I'd be willing to work without pay?</p>

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<p>SURF money isn’t paid for by the mentors, so it really wouldn’t matter. You can always just email a prof to ask if you can volunteer in their lab if that’s what you want.</p>

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<p>That’s not true at all. Most SURFs are anywhere from half to fully supported by the mentors. In the case of non-Techers SURFing, I think it’s almost always the mentor paying full cost. That being said, the SURF department won’t let you work for free, so…</p>