FAQs

When do I apply?

Applications open in the Fall and close mid-Winter Quarter.

Students may apply in their junior year.

Is prior research necessary to apply?

No prior experience with research is necessary to apply for any of these research programs. We are looking to support students who are interested in gaining early access to a research experience.

I am interested in pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. program, but am leaning toward an M.D. program. Should I apply?

The program is intended by the NIH as a Ph.D. preparation program, not a pre-med program. It includes a lot of training activities specific to entering and succeeding in doctoral (Ph.D.) programs. 

Students who are truly committed to pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. should undertake the program.

Are letters of recommendation required to submit my application?

Yes, two letters of recommendation are required for your application to be complete and taken under consideration by the review committee. However, the deadline for the letters of recommendation to be submitted by your recommenders is after the application deadline. If recommenders do not submit by their deadline, the applicant and recommender(s) will be notified by the Program Coordinator.

How do I submit a letter of recommendation?

The letter of recommendation will be submitted by the recommender, not the student. Students must list the name and email of their recommenders in their application. 

How are applications evaluated?

The review committee will consider many aspects of the application, including the prior performance of the student, promise in research, intent to earn the Ph.D., and the way in which the research program will prepare the student for that path.  

Can I take summer courses during the program?

We do not permit any of our interns to take summer school while the program is in session because of the intensive time commitment required for our summer internship. Students are expected to commit full-time to the research internship during the summer (35-40hrs per week). If necessary (schedule permitting), students may take summer school after the conclusion of the program and before the Fall quarter begins.

What are the summer time commitments for Beckman Scholars?

Beckman Scholars are expected to commit to two 10-week intensive Summer research experiences at UCSB. 

During the summer internship, interns spend approximately 30-35hrs per week engaged in research activities under the supervision of their primary mentor (usually a graduate student or post-doc in the research group of your faculty mentor). These activities may be in the lab, in the field, at the computer, or wherever else your specific research takes place! Students will often attend lab meetings, learn protocols, and present to their research group (though each individual research group will vary).

Interns will design and conduct an independent research project over the course of the summer program, under the guidance and supervision of their mentors.

For 5-10hrs per week, interns will also receive valuable professional development training with CSEP coordinators and fellow interns. These professional development activities include weekly seminars, group meetings with practice presentations, networking events, poster sessions, and more. The professional development activities are designed to complement the research training portion of the internship. The summer program culminates with each intern presenting a full-length research talk (15 minutes) at a symposium, as well as presenting a poster at a campus-wide poster colloquium.

How many scholars are appointed each year?

Two scholars are appointed each year.

For additional questions, please reach out to the Program Coordinator Sofia Sanabria-Guillen (sofi@csep.ucsb.edu).