Time Commitment
I am nervous about being overwhelmed in my first year at WSU. How can I fit research into my schedule?
The first semester of the Research Scholars program introduces students to both WSU and to undergraduate research through a unique section of the First-Year Success Seminar (UNIV 104), a two-credit course taken by all Research Scholars. At the end of the first semester, students typically find that they have settled into the college experience and environment, and are ready to take on undergraduate research. Faculty mentors generally start students off slowly in the laboratory with smaller tasks, building up to ones that are more challenging.
Honors Students
I am also applying to the WSU Honors College. Will the Research Scholars Program work with the Honors College program in terms of courses?
It does not matter if you choose to fulfill your general education requirements through the Honors College or through the general University Common Requirements (UCORE). The Research Scholars Program is designed to intersect well with both. Also, honors students must complete a thesis (or in some cases, a capstone project) to graduate, and participation in undergraduate research aligns well with that requirement.
Financial Support
The Research Scholars scholarship is only available for my first year. Is other money available?
While there are no guarantees for a future scholarship, Research Scholars gain experiences early that make them more competitive going forward for a number of awards. In addition, through research, you will develop closer connections with faculty who can provide you with excellent letters of recommendation based on their personal knowledge of, and experiences with, you.