Application Process

Students must apply to present their work at the Symposium by submitting the online application form through this website.

Application Contents
In addition to basic student contact and academic information, applications must include the following:

• Project Title: This will be printed in the SURPS program of presentations to be distributed to all SURPS audience members. Your title should state clearly the main idea of your project and should be understandable by more than specialists in your particular field.

• Faculty Advisor(s): Research and creative presentations require endorsement by the faculty advisor. Public Service Fellowship and Community Service Work-Study presentations require endorsement by a Haas Center staff advisor. The URP office will contact your advisor directly via email to solicit her/his endorsement for your participation in SURPS.

• Abstract, Project Summary, or Creative Statement: The center of your application materials, this approximately 250-word statement should present a succinct overview of your research, creative or public service project. Abstracts are generally used in the natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences; summaries in the humanities; and creative statements in the creative arts. For public service projects, include the name and mission of the organization with which you worked; the population you served and how you did so; and what the organization, community or you yourself gained. Consult the Guidelines for Writing Effective Abstracts, Summaries, and Creative Statements before submitting your application. Abstracts, summaries, and creative statements will appear in SURPS print and/or online publications.

• Statement of Project Origins: Not longer than 350 words, this statement should describe the genesis of your project, including, but not limited to: the development of your initial interest in the topic, your early preparation for carrying out the project, affiliation with faculty advisor or community partner, the link between your project and your overall undergraduate program and future plans, and so on. This statement will appear in SURPS print and/or online publications.


Selection Criteria TOP
Applications will be judged for acceptance into the Symposium according to the following criteria:

• For research and creative projects, evidence of a strong research question or focused area of inquiry, as expressed in the abstract/summary/creative statement; also sufficient background in the field of research or creative production;
• For public service projects, evidence of a mutually beneficial fit between your background and the organization and/or community needs;
• Clarity of expression and general organization of the abstract/summary/creative statement and the statement of project origins;
• Progress on the project to date (note that this criterion does not exclude works-in-progress);
• Endorsement of participation submitted by the faculty research advisor or staff advisor for public service projects.