The Post baccalaureate Research and Education Program (PREP) at the University of New Mexico

Program Description:

Use that hard earned BA/BS degree as a full time research scholar AND get ready to take your career to the next level!

So you have just graduated or you are about to graduate with a degree in Science, Mathematics, or Engineering and you want to go to graduate school but feel you need one more year to gain research experience and to fill in those last few deficiencies in order to be highly successful. You are not alone. Many recent graduates feel they need just a little more time, experience and direction before entering the graduate program of their choice.

The UNM PREP program offers recent graduates, with BA/BS degrees from a variety science, mathematics and engineering programs, the opportunity to work full time in a biomedical related research laboratory, while taking courses and attending seminars that will better prepare them to apply and be accepted into a biomedical related graduate program.

Scholars will work and be paid a full time salary to carry out original independent research under the mentorship of a research active professor at the University of New Mexico. While working full time as a research scientist, scholars will be given the opportunity to take courses to eliminate any deficiencies they may have, attend regular scientific seminars, and take part in short courses offered by the PREP program in connection with other on-campus research and education programs on how to take the GRE and apply to graduate school. Finally all scholars, under the direction of their research mentors, will apply to a graduate program of their choice.

Eligibility:

Students must meet program eligibility requirements. Basic eligibility requirements are that participants must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident with a completed baccalaureate degree (BA/BS) in Math, Science or Engineering prior to first day of program. Have decided for one reason or another to postpone graduate studies. Can demonstrate commitment to the pursuit of a PhD in the biomedical related field (i.e. Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Cell Biology etc.). Must be an individual belonging to a particular ethnic, racial, or other underrepresented (i.e. economically disadvantaged, first generation college graduate, etc) group that has been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical related research fields. Must possess a 3.0 GPA or better. Applicants with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 will be considered on a case by case basis.

PREP is designed to prepare underrepresented minority students who hold a recent baccalaureate degree to pursue a Ph.D. degree in the biomedical sciences. Students whose primary career goal is medicine (M.D. or M.D./Ph.D degrees) are encouraged to explore post-baccalaureate opportunities on the American Association of Medical Colleges website.

Participating Departments

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biology, Cell Biology & Physiology, Chemistry, Chemical & Nuclear Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, Optical Science & Engineering, Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Neuroscience, Pathology, Psychology, Physics & Astronomy

Salaries and Benefits:

• Salary is $21K / yr
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Tuition for up to two courses per semester

Summer 2007 Dates and Deadlines:

• April 1, 2007-Application deadline
• April 13, 2007-Notification of acceptance into program by email and followed by official letter.
• Starting date of Summer interns-May 29, 2007

Selection Process:

• Application on-line
• Cover letter, statement of future goals
• Unofficial transcripts, GPA of 3.0
• Two letters of recommendation from faculty members [source]