GradPreview @ Caltech : Science and Engineering Graduate School Visitation Program

Program Date
Gradpreview will be offered in October 2009 in for students interested in mathematics, science, engineering, and social sciences. The date is:

Mission
Caltech's GradPreview program aims to increase the representation of underrepresented students (such as African American, Latino, and Native American) in its doctoral programs, and make Caltech's programs more visible to additional students not traditionally exposed to Caltech. The program is rooted in Caltech's commitment and desire to attract and train a diverse set of science, engineering, and technology leaders. The three-day visitation program offers high-achieving undergraduates interested in graduate study and summer research in astronomy, biology, engineering, chemistry, geological and planetary science, mathematics, physics, social sciences, or the applied sciences the opportunity to explore these fields at Caltech. The visit includes interacting with faculty and students, lab tours, and seminars about graduate study and summer research.

Objectives

Invitation
You must be nominated by a faculty or staff member from your home institution in order to be considered for participation in Gradpreview. All nominations for sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and above will be considered. The program offers:

Opportunities for participants to interact with faculty and students from the Divisions of Biology, Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Engineering & Applied Science, Geological & Planetary Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Physics, Mathematics, & Astronomy as well as tour labs and investigate graduate options at Caltech.
Previews of summer research at Caltech in 2009. Caltech’s SURF and MURF programs offer ten-week summer research fellowships with $6,000 stipends.
Sessions on applying to graduate school and understanding the financial resources available to support graduate study.

Caltech will provide for the travel, accommodations and meal costs for all Gradpreview participants. The Office of Graduate Studies will also waive the $80 application fee for all Preview participants who subsequently apply to Caltech for graduate study.

Who Should Seek to Be Nominated?
High-achieving sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are underrepresented in mathematics, science, and engineering (such as African American, Hispanic, and Native American) and others who believe they would benefit from this program, and who are interested in pursuing graduate studies in biology, chemistry, mathematics, science, engineering, applied sciences, and social sciences. Members of all races and ethnicities will be considered. It is preferred that students have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above, and have completed at least two math courses.

This program is limited to students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.