The CRA Distributed Mentor Project Application Information Introduction ------------ The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the Computing Research Association (CRA) $240K to support a "distributed mentor" project for undergraduate females in Computer Science and Computer Engineering (CS&E). The intent is to increase the number of women entering graduate school in CS&E by involving them in research at a university with a female mentor. Because of the paucity of female researchers in CS&E who can serve as role models and mentors, we feel the undergraduates should be brought directly to the professors for a summer of research. There the students will not only be involved in research, but will also learn how a research university operates, meet graduate students and professors, and get a chance to observe a successful female researcher up close. Basic Structure --------------- Both students and professors apply to the CRA as detailed below. The deadline for applications is February 1, 1994. A committee will examine the applications and select at least twenty student-professor matches for funding. Notification of matches will be by March 1, 1994. Funding consists of up to $5,000 per match. This money will be given directly to the student to pay a stipend and cover lodging and travel. Usually the funds will cover about ten weeks of research in the summer of 1994, although alternative arrangements are possible. Students: Criteria for selection -------------------------------- Applicants should be female undergraduates (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) at a U.S. college or university who are seriously considering graduate studies in CS&E. First consideration will be given to juniors and sophomores (completing three or two years by the summer of 1994). However, both first-year students and seniors may also apply: first-year students with the skills needed for research, and seniors considering graduate school later than September 1994. There are three primary criteria for selection. First, the student's experience and skills must match the needs of some professor's research project. Second, the student's record and recommendations should betoken success in graduate school. Third, we would like to maximize the impact of the program by selecting students who stand to gain the most from the experience, for example, those at institutions without research opportunities with female professors. Professors: Criteria for selection ---------------------------------- Potential mentors should be female CS&E professors at a U.S. university with active research programs into which the students may be integrated. There are three primary criteria for selection. First, the professor should have a research project suitable for undergraduates, one that matches the skills of some student applicants. Second, the professor's university environment should be one conducive to the goals of the mentoring project. For example, an active graduate summer research population provides the protege with a window on future graduate life. Third, the professor should have evidenced some skill in the delicate task of mentoring. Professors who already have funds to support undergraduates (e.g., through an REU supplement to an NSF grant) may still apply for a matching student. Mentoring funds can cover travel, and the remainder used to support other students. Student applications -------------------- Students should send a transcript, letters of recommendation, a statement, and other basic information as detailed below. All materials are due February 1, 1994. Electronic submission is encouraged, to orourke@sophia.smith.edu. (The text below may be edited, interleaved with your replies.) Transcripts and other non-electronic information should be sent to: Joseph O'Rourke Dept. of Computer Science Smith College Northampton, MA 01063, USA (413) 585-3673 FAX: 413-585-3786 1. Basic information Name Adademic-year address and phone Permanent home address and phone Email address School in which currently enrolled Number of years completed by May 1994 Major 2. Transcript Official transcript (sent to O'Rourke at address above), including courses taken through December 1993, and grades. List of courses to be taken Spring 1994. 3. Letters of Recommendation Letters of recommendation are very important for predicting likely success in graduate school. However, we understand that some students may not have connected enough with a professor to obtain a substantive letter of recommendation. Therefore, letters are optional, but we encourage students to have TWO submitted if possible. The recommenders should write directly to O'Rourke, address above. Electronic submission is acceptable, to orourke@sophia.smith.edu. 4. Statement We ask for a statement of approximately 500 words detailing your interests in CS&E, and the specific skills you have attained (programming language proficiency, operating systems familiarity, and other skills not evident from your transcript). We are also interested in learning why you feel you would benefit from the mentoring program. 5. Restrictions Please let us know of any geographic restrictions or time constraints that would affect a match. In particular, we need to know the dates during the summer of 1994 you would be available for research. 6. Mentor preferences If you know a particular professor with whom you would like to work, or you have a preference for a particular university, let us know. Mentor applications ------------------- We seek to gain the information needed to make informed decisions without burdening potential mentors with a lengthy application. Mentors may request more than one student, especially if a single student would be isolated. However, we expect to limit awards to two students per mentor. All materials are due 1 February 1994. Electronic submission is encouraged, to orourke@sophia.smith.edu. Non-electronic information should be sent to: Joseph O'Rourke Dept. of Computer Science Smith College Northampton, MA 01063, USA (413) 585-3673 FAX: 413-585-3786 1. Basic information Name USmail address, phone, FAX email address 2. Curriculum vitae Acceptable in any form, although the short form used for NSF grants is the most convenient. Any additional information that might document your mentoring skills is appreciated. 3. Research proposal(s) A one-page description of each undergraduate project suffices. A copy of material prepared for another grant proposal is acceptable here. The target of this material is the selection committee, not the students. 4. Special skills required Please let us know of the basic skills required of the students, either in courses taken (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Data Structures, Computer Graphics, etc.), or other proficiencies (e.g., knows C and Unix). This information is crucial for arranging appropriate matches. 5. Student preferences If you have particular students with whom you would like to work, please let us know. 6. Lodging information In order to estimate costs, we need to know lodging costs per student. We hope researchers can obtain low lodging rates, for example, at the university dormitories, so that sufficient funds remain for student travel to and from the university. Please let us know of any other special budgetary issues.