UC Santa Barbara - Research Mentorship Program

The Research Mentorship Program (RMP)  This 6 week program provides a hands-on research experience for curious, highly motivated high school students. If you are interested in experiencing academic research in a discipline of your choice, this is a program for you. Join a UCSB research group as they carry out cutting edge investigations in field, laboratory and library settings. This program provides a unique opportunity to experience the process of research and its' recent developments. RMP students enroll in two 4-credit classes:

• Research Reading In this course students read and analyze recently published research articles. Enhancing their learning experiences, students meet researchers from various departments, discuss recent research issues, and become familiar with commonly used scientific tools and techniques.
• Introduction to Research In this course students participate in research with a mentor they select. After learning about twenty potential projects presented by researchers during the first two days of class, students will indicate which projects they prefer and be assigned one of them. They will then be immersed in their mentor’s research for the rest of the 6-week program.

There are usually 1-2 students per mentor, with mentors occasionally accepting up to 4 students. You will work with your mentor every day and become an integral part of their research team. You will learn about research techniques, data collection and analysis, the writing of your research papers, and how to present your findings in a research symposium.

Research topics currently under consideration include:

Please inquire about other disciplines of interest

Other activities associated with the program include field trips and special lectures on a variety of pertinent social and scientific topics. On Friday afternoons students share their progress in research with their classmates, expanding everyone’s horizons. When the tide is right, students participate in an after-sunset guided beach experience to discover life between and under the sand. We hope for an exciting grunion run, and play with sand crabs, beach hoppers, and feather worms.

By the end of the program students will have completed an original research paper, and during the last week they will present their findings in a research symposium that parents and friends are welcome to attend. Your nicely bound, original scientific paper will be a unique addition to your future college application package.

There are no tests or finals, just pure research and positive learning. You will develop long lasting friendships with serious and creative students like yourself and will likely keep in touch with your mentors and co-researchers long after the summer is over.

Join and experience research as a field of study and as a potential future profession. Discover the rich variety of research fields and the similarities and differences between them. The popularity of this program is high, and the students selected are strong. So apply early and tell a friend to join you. The minimum requirement for admission is a 3.8 GPA. ($900 supplemental fee for RMP)

Here's how to Apply

Please click here to start the application process. Also needed are an official transcript, a downloaded copy of the Research Mentorship Questionnaire, and a teacher, a counselor or principal letter of recommendation form all of which can be downloaded here.

A personal essay discussing your goals, values and reasons for wanting to attend is also required. Please send all application materials and payment to Summer Discovery, including both the Summer Discovery application and the Research Mentorship application. Once all materials are received by Summer Discovery, they will be forwarded to Dr. Miriam Polne-Fuller for review.

For more information please contact Dr. Miriam Polne-Fuller, UCSB Program Research Director

APPLICATION FEE MUST BE SENT TO SUMMER DISCOVERY