Participating in faculty-mentored research as an undergraduate can have a profound impact on students' decisions about graduate school. Students are more likely to persevere in challenging undergraduate coursework when they have support from faculty mentors and can see the connections between classroom knowledge and their research activities. This effect can be particularly powerful for students from populations that are historically underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields. Undergraduates who participate in research also gain opportunities to meet graduate students and assist with graduate-level research projects, which can help students build the necessary academic and research skills to succeed in future graduate studies. Perhaps most importantly, engaging in research often helps undergraduates to clarify their academic interests and career ambitions, and make decisions about whether attending graduate school will help them reach their goals. Michigan State University (MSU) offers a variety of summer research programs for undergraduates, including residential and non-residential options in STEM, SBE (Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences) and liberal arts disciplines. Most of these programs operate under a common, 10-week calendar that begins in mid-May and ends in late July with a campus-wide research forum where students can present the results of their summer work with MSU faculty. The Summer 2012 research forum included more than 260 undergraduates from nearly 60 institutions, who worked with more than 200 faculty from 58 departments and 12 colleges within Michigan State University. In addition to engaging in full-time, faculty-mentored research, these undergraduates have opportunities for personal and professional development, and participate in a variety of outreach and networking opportunities across campus. The summer research programs also assist students in developing application materials for graduate schools, such as academic resumes and personal statements.
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