Summer Science Fellowship

2014 APA Summer Science Fellowship

George Mason University, while a relatively young university, has grown rapidly into one of the most highly respected universities in the Washington, D.C., area, and its Department of Psychology is one of the university’s greatest sources of pride. Outstanding faculty members and graduate students conduct research in a wide variety of areas in psychological science, and they are eager to welcome the 2014 APA Summer Science Fellows. Find out more about the GMU Department of Psychology.

George Mason University is located in suburban Washington, D.C., in the city of Fairfax, Va.

Eligibility is strictly limited to rising college seniors at U.S. or Canadian colleges and universities. Applicants should be psychology majors, although students with related preparation may apply if they expect to enter a psychological science graduate program. International students enrolled in U.S. or Canadian colleges are eligible; U.S. citizenship is not required. Students from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

The minimum GPA required to apply is 3.0. In addition, you must have at least a 3.25 psychology GPA in order to be considered for the program.

To be considered for SSF, you must complete the following three steps:

1. Submit your application form electronically, no later than Feb. 10, 2014. You must complete the application form online; we cannot accept forms that are printed and mailed.
2. Arrange to have a physical copy of your official college transcript sent to us. Transcripts must be mailed by the university (not the applicant) to:
   
   Science Directorate
   American Psychological Association
   Attn: Summer Science Fellowship
   750 First St. NE
   Washington, DC 20002-4242
   
   Note: If you have attended more than one university and your transcript at your current institution does not reflect course work from a previous institution, you must also submit a separate transcript from that previous institution. If course work from your previous institution is listed on the transcript from your current institution (including course title and grade), you only need to submit a transcript from your current college or university. We must have an official transcript of every course you have taken in college and the grade you received in each course.
3. Arrange to have two faculty members in psychology write letters of recommendation for you (see Applicant Recommendation Instructions link). These must be sent by the faculty members (not the applicant) by email to the Summer Science Fellowship office. Mailed copies or copies sent by students will not be accepted. These letters must be received in our office by Feb. 10, 2014. Note: You are responsible for contacting your recommenders and making sure they submit their letters via email — our application system will not do this on your behalf.

Sample Application Questions

Although you may save and return to an unfinished application (link at upper-right of page), we suggest having your answers ready before beginning. Please refer to the sample application questions below as a checklist. (Questions with an asterisk are required.)

1. Contact Information
   
   Prefix (Mr./Ms.)*
   First Name*
   Middle Initial*
   Last Name*
   Street Address*
   Apartment/Unit Number
   City*
   U.S. State/Canadian Province*
   Postal Code*
   Country*
   Email Address*
   Phone Number*
   Date of Birth*
   Marital Status*
2. Education
   
   Name of College/University*
   City*
   U.S. State/Canadian Province*
   Major*
   Minor
   Cumulative GPA (minimum 3.00 GPA required)*
   Psychology GPA (minimum 3.25 GPA required)*
   Expected Date of Graduation*
3. How would you describe your race/ethnicity?
   
   American Indian/Alaskan Native
   Asian
   Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
   African American/Black
   Hispanic/Latino(a)
   Caucasian/White
   Other (please specify) 
4. List any academic honors or awards you have received.
5. Of the psychology courses you have taken, name the two you have enjoyed most and tell us why. (175 words or less)*
6. Why are you interested in participating in the SSF, and what do you hope to gain from attending the program? (175 words or less)*
7. Describe any research experience (laboratory, field, literature review, etc.) you have had in the past three years, including a description of your level of involvement. (175 words or less)*
8. If you are planning to attend graduate school, which field would you like to pursue and why?  If not, what are your plans immediately following graduation? (175 words or less)*
9. What are some career options you have considered lately? (175 words or less)*
10. The following is a list of research areas in which we may have lab placements. Please indicate the areas in which you have research experience: (Check all that apply.)*
    
    Applied Developmental Psychology
    Biopsychology
    Clinical Psychology
    Human Factors and Applied Cognitive Psychology
    Industrial and Organizational Psychology
    Neuroscience
    School Psychology
    No Research Experience
11. Please indicate how interested you are in being placed in a lab in each of the following areas. You do not need to have experience in a given area to express your interest and willingness to be placed in a lab (e.g., you do not need experience in developmental to be placed in a developmental lab). You may indicate the same level of interest for more than one area. (Levels of interest are defined as: no interest; minimal interest; neutral; some interest; significant interest.)*
    
    Applied Developmental Psychology      
    Biopsychology      
    Clinical Psychology      
    Human Factors and Applied Cognitive Psychology      
    Industrial and Organizational Psychology
    Neuroscience    
    School Psychology
12. Please provide the name and contact information (address, phone, email) of the two people who will be recommending you for SSF. (Note: it is your responsibility to contact your recommenders; we will not be contacting them on your behalf.)
    
    Name of Recommender #1  
    Address  
    Email  
    Phone  
    
    Name of Recommender #2  
    Address      
    Email  
    Phone
    

Applicants: Provide the URL of this page, "www.apa.org/science/resources/ssf/ [Recommendation Tab]" to both of the faculty members you are asking to recommend you for the SSF. Note: You are responsible for contacting your recommenders and making sure they submit their letters via email — our application system will not do this on your behalf.

Recommenders: Please follow the instructions below and email your recommendation to ssf@apa.org no later than Feb. 10, 2014.

Note that the applicant will be considered for participation in the American Psychological Association Summer Science Fellowship program. It is a six-week fellowship that will provide undergraduates with valuable research and professional development experience under the guidance of faculty in the Psychology Program at George Mason University.  

Recommendation Instructions

1. Type the student's name in subject line.
2. At the top of the email body include your full name, affiliation, mailing address and phone number.
3. Limit the recommendation letter to approximately one page.
4. Include in your letter:
   
   
   1. How well you know the student
   2. Comments on the student's level of maturity
   3. Comments on the student's ability to work as part of a team
   4. An assessment of the student's independence level
   5. Observations on the student's intelligence and level of academic curiosity
   6. Thoughts on the student's motivation level and willingness to take the initiative
5. Email your letter of recommendation no later than Feb. 10, 2014.

If you have questions about this application, please contact the APA Science Directorate by phone: (202) 336-6000; fax: (202) 336-5953; or email.

• Comments from past fellows

• List of past fellows

Photos from previous years