Application

Eligibility

• a US citizen, US national, or US permanent resident
• enrolled as an undergraduate in a degree program leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree; preference will be given to students with rising junior or sophomore status
• most accepted applicants will have a minimum grade point average of 2.75
• applications are encouraged from US citizens belonging to groups currently underrepresented in oceanography (Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, African Americans, Latino/Hispanics and Pacific Islanders)
• International students and graduating seniors are not eligible for this program

Application

To apply, please fill out the application at this link. Complete applications are due by February 15^th, 2024.

Note: If you close the application page before completing, the information entered will be saved, but you must access the link from the same computer (same IP address) to continue. We recommend using your personal laptop, not a library or public computer, to begin your application, unless you will complete the entire application in one sitting, including adding the email addresses of letter writers, your transcript pdf, CV pdf and pasting in your essay text.

Note: To leave a blank field in the application (such as if the question does not apply), please write "not applicable" or "n/a" in the answers. Otherwise the application may require an answer to proceed.

For your application, you will be required to answer a number of general background and contact information questions online, but you will also need to have these additional items prepared in advance and ready to submit:

1. An official or unofficial copy of your most recent transcript (as a PDF)
2. A ~500-word essay describing why you are interested in participating in the REU Program: Observing the Ocean. Please include in your essay:

   (1) your research interests;

   (2) the goals of your undergraduate studies;

   (3) your post-graduation career goals and plans;

   (4) If you have had previous research experience (note: this is not a requirement), please provide a brief description of your project and skills.

3. Look over the Mentors & Projects page to pick 3 potential researchers you may want to work with. Program Directors will make every effort to match students with their choice of mentor. Please pick and rank only 3 mentors.
4. The names and email addresses for TWO recommendation letter writers. [Note: it is your responsibility to contact your reference letter writers and ask them to submit their letter of reference by email to: reuotoapp@geos.tamu.edu].
   
   Please make sure your letters of recommendation are submitted by February 15, 2024.
   
   Letters should be from your college professors (preferably for your science/engineering courses) who can comment on your academic qualifications and communication skills (at least 1 should be from a professor from a science class). They should submit letters on their professional letterhead.
   
   It is your responsibility to make sure all materials and letters are submitted by the application deadline.
5. A copy of your curriculum vitae (pdf).

If you have any questions about the application process, please email Dr. Jessica Fitzsimmons at oceanreu@geos.tamu.edu.