FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Applying to SPUR
   Application Deadline
    Application Statements
    Letters of Recommendation
    Grades & Transcripts
    Eligibility
    Inquiries
    Problems with online submission
Selection for SPUR
    Selection criteria
    Selection process
    Notification
SPUR Program details
    Dates & flexibility
    Offer -- stipend, travel, housing, meals
    Weekly Schedule
    SPUR Undergraduate Research Symposium
Outside the Lab 
    Summer in Oregon
    Travel around Oregon  
    Recreational Facilities
    Recreational Events
    Cultural Events
    Eugene, Oregon





-- Applying to SPUR

What is the Application Deadline?
    There is not a hard deadline. Each year, we begin making offers on Monday of the last full week in February, and we continue to review applications until all slots are filled. Please note that space in the program is very limited.


Do you have any advice about making a strong application? 
    We try to select students who will benefit most from the program and who have the potential to become leading researchers in life sciences careers. We want as accurate an assessment of your suitability for the program as possible.  So, we want you (and all applicants) to put your best foot forward in your application, accurately and honestly. Realize that grades are not as important as a recommendation showing us that you can be a creative thinker, that you're very motivated, that you will interact well with your colleagues, and that you can succeed in this intense program, getting the most out of the summer experience as possible. We want to train explorers and adventurers rather than rule-followers. Think about what you would want to know if you were a faculty member reviewing the application.  Get letters of recommendation from people who will be enthusiastic about recommending you. Make sure to look at our website link to participating labs and give us a sense of labs in which you might prefer to work.  If your interests are broad and you don't want to limit yourself to specific labs in your application, let us know that.

-- Statements of purpose, experience, and interest:
How in depth should the Statements be? Is there a word minimum, maximum, or suggested length?
    We don't want you to be burdened with a long complicated application, but we do want to know about you, your goals, studies, talents, motivation, and what you hope to gain from the program.  You should clarify your research interests and list some labs in which you would like to work. The question about outside activities is entirely optional.
    There is no word limit for any of the statements.  Just be as concise as you can without omitting any ideas that might help us in evaluating your application.  From among those accepted into the program in previous years, the longest statement was 853 words, and the average was about 350 words per statement.
    Admission requires more than positive qualities and well written statements, it requires an available host laboratory for each participant; so your application is strengthened if you expand on your research interests and suggest some professors with whom you might want to work.

-- Letters of Recommendation:
     A) Whom should I ask for letters of recommendation?
    The letters of recommendation should come from professional people who are qualified to advise us candidly on your abilities, motivation, integrity, intellectual vitality, and enthusiasm for science.  They could be from professors, instructors, or other researchers in non-science fields. They should be sent by email, from a professional (.edu) address to spur@uoneuro.uoregon.edu.
    B) Can recommendation letters be sent by email?
    Yes! In fact, we greatly prefer that they be sent by email.  Recommenders should use their professional (.edu) address, and email to spur@uoneuro.uoregon.edu. Letters can also be sent by US Mail, if necessary.  Please do not waste money sending applications by FedEx, Express Mail, or some othger expensive delivery service.  We do not have a hard deadline, a few days either way will not make a difference, and wasting the money would make us question your judgment. 
    C) Should the recommendation letters be e-mailed at the same time that the online application is submitted?
    Doesn't matter.
    D) My professors are hard to pin down, could you request my letters from them?
    We can email your professors directly requesting letters on your behalf, indicating that you listed her/him as a reference.  If you would like us to do this, please indicate that by email to spur@uoneuro.uoregon.edu.

-- Grades & Transcripts
    Submit your transcripts in as neat a format as you can. 
    Is there a cutoff GPA for selection to SPUR?
    No.  Although we seriously consider applicants' grades, we feel that grades very often do not reflect the creative abilities of prospective scholars; and so, we place heavy emphasis on candid evaluations within recommendation letters that accompany the applications.
    Why do you not want official transcripts?
    We want you to send us a list of your classes and grades electronically (not hard copy), so we can easily add it to our database.  Also, we don't want you to waste time or money arranging for official transcripts when you send your application.  It is best if you simply list your classes and grades.  When you are accepted into the program, we will ask for official transcripts to verify your application and to update your grades in our database.
    If it's really difficult to upload my transcripts into the application form, can I mail them or email a scan?
    We want ultimately to have a spreadsheet that includes all applicants' information, including courses & grades, so we prefer to have you manually enter or upload your grades as neatly formatted text into the online application form.  Our second choice would be for you to send them by email.  But if it is much easier for you to mail them, that would be fine.

-- Eligibility
Can seniors/post-bacs apply and participate in the SPUR program?
    Yes, we occasionally accept SPUR interns who will have graduated before the summer. 
Can international students (non-US citizens) apply and participate in the SPUR program?
    Most of our funding sources require that SPUR Fellows they sponsor be US citizens or permanent residents (having green card).  However, occasionally we sponsor international students.  For example, in SPUR 2006, two international students participated, but supplied much of their own funding.

-- Inquiries
Can I call to find out if my application is complete, whether I made the short list, or what faculty are reviewing my application?
    Email is best, but feel free to contact us by phone with any questions.

-- Problems with online submission.
    Some applicants have had problems with the online submission, receiving error messages or not being able to load the page. If you encounter problems, please
a) contact us, so we can correct it if it's on our end; AND
b) send us your application information via email to spur@uoneuro.uoregon.edu and we will enter it into the database.  To make it easier, download the application form, fill it out, save it, and then email it to spur@uoneuro.uoregon.edu as an attachment.
    Most often, we have found that the problem has been on the applicant's side, generally with the internet browser.  If you're so inclined, you might try to clear your cache, discard temporary internet files and temp files, and clear browser history. Then try again to submit.






-- Selection for SPUR
What are you looking for in a SPUR applicant? Is it beneficial for me to have Prior Research Experience? If I need prior experience to get in, how do I get experience in the first place?
    In the selection process, we look for people who exhibit creativity, motivation, diligence, native intelligence, integrity, broad interests, an interest in the specific research at the University of Oregon, and an upbeat outlook, among other things.  As mentioned above, we seek adventurers -- people with creativity who are not afraid to ask dumb questions and who will look far into the future.  We try to choose candidates who would benefit most from this intensive program.  We don't require prior experience to apply:  Some of our labs prefer prior experience, others don't, and some prefer no experience.  So, yes, prior experience is desireable for some labs but not others.

How does the selection process work?
    The application materials, including basic information, areas of research interest, statements, transcripts, and letters of recommendation are compiled as a packet for each applicant.  These are read and evaluated by the SPUR administrators, and a short list is made.  Each participating faculty member evaluates packets from applicants who might be suitable for their research program; each faculty member then generates a ranked list of preferred candidate applicants.  The SPUR Director then makes offers of admission to the top candidate(s) on each faculty member's list.  Because it often happens that a candidate applicant will be selected by more than one professor, it is helpful for us if you list professors with whom you might want to work.
    Before each offer of admission to SPUR is made, a professor and the candidate SPUR scholar commit to working together in the summer program. Following acceptance, the potential host professor and the candidate SPUR intern then communicate with one another by email/phone, discussing the summer research possibilities, responsibilities, expectations, etc.

When will applicants be notified if they are accepted into the program? 
    We begin reviewing application files on the Monday of the last week in February.  During that week, we generate a short list of SPUR candidates.  From the short list, we begin making offers to SPUR candidates.  The process of filling available spots generally takes a few weeks.  We maintain a waiting list and ask for your patience.  The last few slots are very fluid, because labs often find new funding or new openings.  Thus, each year there are late applicants who are admitted to the program as late as May. 





-- The SPUR Program
What are the SPUR Progam dates?  Can I go to my sister's wedding in the middle? My university has a weird schedule, can I arrive/leave early?late?
    We keep the participation dates flexible, to accommodate the variety of schedules of schools across the country.  The earliest arrivals are at the beginning of June and the latest departures are at the third week in August.  Most SPUR Fellows are here from the beginning of June through the middle of August.  Some Fellows take a week off in the middle of the Summer.  The minimum duration is 8 weeks; the maximum so far has been about 14 weeks.  Despite these differences, SPUR participants have always developed close bonds.

-- What are the specifics of the SPUR offer?
    The typical SPUR offer includes: Round trip from your home to the University of Oregon; Housing, including meals, are arranged by our staff and paid by SPUR.  Housing includes room and board, and SPUR interns are housed together for the summer.  However, most SPUR interns arrive about a week before the UO dorms empty for our summer break, and so during this period, interns are housed in doubles distributed around campus; but as the dorms become available during UO final exam week, they would move to a single, in an area with the other SPUR interns and interns from other summer research programs.  Our SPUR summer stipend is paid only at the end of each month, with the 1st pro-rated paycheck at end of June. (So come prepared to avoid a cash flow problem). 

-- What is the weekly schedule for the summer?
    The SPUR experience is very intensive in research work, and in social, cultural, and recreational activities.  SPUR Fellows research 40+ hrs/wk, on a generally flexible schedule determined by the host lab and mentors.  Each Monday afternoon, SPUR Fellows attend a Faculty Research Seminar Series presentation on a specific area of life sciences research given by a different UO Professor.  Each Thursday morning, SPUR Fellows attend a Professional Development Workshop Series presentation or a facilities tour. One evening each week all SPUR interns discuss their ongoing research with their fellow interns at the Research Discussion Group series.  These events are listed on links from the SPUR home page, and previous schedules are available.  Once or twice each week, the SPUR Director meets for lunch in the cafeteria with the SPUR interns to hear comments, complaints, problems, ideas for improving the program, gossip, etc.  One or more evenings per week, the SPUR group gathers with the SPUR facilitator (a UO undergraduate researcher who participates in SPUR, living in the dorms with the SPUR group) to plan weekend activities/excursions.  Throughout the summer, both in the Professional Development Workshops and with individual mentors, SPUR interns are trained in reading and preparing scientific papers and scientific presentations, using online tools in life sciences research, keeping lab notebooks, responsible research conduct, accessing career opportunites, and other issues related to careers in life sciences research.  Research Ethics training is a key component of the summer training.

-- SPUR Undergraduate Research Symposium
    At summer's end, the SPUR Undergraduate Research Symposium is held in 4 sessions; here, all SPUR Fellows present the results of their summer work in formal oral scientific presentations.  Some students additionally prepare research posters for presentation at national meetings.  Several students each year will travel to national scientific meetings to present their work from the SPUR program.





-- Outside the Lab
-- What is available outside of the Research program?  Why is Oregon a good place to spend the Summer?
    Every year, the SPUR fellows form a very close knit group (you can check out the SPUR alumni group on facebook.com and also our SPUR scrapbooks), and on weekends they travel all around Oregon, for recreation, sightseeing, shopping, concerts etc.  In the past, activities have included hiking in the Columbia River Gorge, the Cascade Mountains, Crater Lake, concerts/shopping in Portland & Seattle, various places along the Oregon coast, Silver Falls State Park, Fall Creek, the California Redwoods, one year a group climbed South Sister (of the Three Sisters, dormant (so far) volcanoes in the Cascade Mountain Range, visible from some of the labs), rafted on the McKenzie River, the Rogue River, canoed on the Willamette River, and many more activities.  In some years, a small group of SPUR Fellows and friends have climbed Spencer's Butte (a 2000+ ft peak in South Eugene) a couple times/wk. Eugene has many miles of bike trails and running trails around the town. 
    Also check out what SPUR alumni have said about the past years' programs.

-- What recreational facilities are available on campus?
    We have a terrific Student Recreation Center (SRC) close to the dorms, with exercise machines, weight machines & free weights, swimming pool, climbing wall, squash courts, racquetball courts, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, aerobics dance and yoga classes, an indoor track and our world famous outdoor track, Hayward field.  We have miles and miles of maintained running paths through the city.  Miles of bicycle paths also wind through the city and into the countryside.  The Willamette River is immediately adjacent to campus, and you can rent canoes, inner tubes, swim or just jump in on hot summer days.  We have a great Outdoor Pursuits Program that offers courses in wilderness survival, rock climbing, sailing, and more; they organize trips around the pacific northwest (rafting, hiking, biking, canoeing, etc); and it has an extensive collection of guides, maps and videos.  Here's a UO campus map and directions.  The SPUR program has a small collection of donated bicycles, that all SPUR interns are welcome to use.  We maintain them in minimally working order.

-- What is Eugene like?
    The Eugene metropolitan area has a population of over 200,000. Yet the city of Eugene maintains a colorful, small town feel. Our links to Eugene and Local Area and PlanetEugene offer information about arts, culture & entertainment, shopping, outdoor recreation, news, lodging, transportation & maps.  You can also check it out on Wikipedia.
    Eugene is one of the most bicycle-friendly places in the country, with many miles of bike routes and bike paths through and around town, the parks and gardens, and the wetlands. 
    The summer weather is generally dry, very low humidity, and very pleasant (July weather summary for Eugene). 
    Throughout the summer, we have a Saturday Market, with a growers market, local food and crafts vendors, and local entertainment on the Market Stage. 
    The Willamette River runs through the University and is joined by the McKenzie River just north of town.  From Eugene, it is just over an hour’s drive to either the Cascade mountains to the East, the Coastal Mountains and the Oregon coast to the West, and Portland and the Columbia River Gorge to the North. 
    Eugene is often referred to as Track Town USA.  You see people running constantly -- there are many 10K, 5K, 2K, and fun run races around town, all-comers track meets several weeks in the summer, running groups, and a new Eugene Marathon.  At Hayward Field, each year is the Prefontaine Classic Track Meet that brings world class runners.  In the past, Eugene and UO have hosted the national championships, the world championships, and in 2008 we will again host the US Olympic Trials.
    There is great music in town of many types.  Oregon Bach Festival, Oregon Mozart Players, Jazz, Swing dances, salsa and tango groups, Zimbabwean marimba groups, drumming circles, Oregon Country Fair, City of Eugene Summer Concerts in the Park and Movie Night in the Park, and many more events and groups.  Check out links from the SPUR home page. 
    For SPUR activities, you will want hiking shoes/boots, swim wear, running shoes, water recreation footwear (particularly TEVA-type or similar sport sandals for tide pooling), sunglasses, sunscreen, hat.  Overall the summers in Oregon are beautiful.  However,  you should be prepared for the extremes.  Temperatures will vary greatly: For example, in 2008, we had record heat in late May and record cold in early June; nearby mountain ski areas remained open in June, while here in the valley students were trying to beat the heat by walking from dorms with inner-tubes to cool off in the river.  You'll want a warm jacket and sweaters for cool nights on coast trips, and camping in the mountains can be co-old.  There are typically several days of 100°F weather each summer, but it's very dry heat.  Be prepared for rain, for heat, but mostly for beautiful weather.