Summer Fellowship Application FAQ

What are the program dates?

June 8 - August 7, 2020.

When is the application deadline?

The application deadline is February 10, 2020. Your application must be entirely complete by February 17 in order to be considered for the fellowship. This means that you must submit a fully completed application by February 10 AND all other pieces must be received within one week of the deadline, February 17. No exceptions.

When will I know if I've been accepted to the program?

Notifications will be sent via email by March 16, 2020. Please check the status page for more detailed information.

What does the fellowship cover?

The program will provide a stipend of $4,136 for a summer of continuous training in a faculty member's lab. In addition, our fellowship will cover travel for US citizens and permanent residents (and up to $500 in travel costs for foreign students) and cover the majority of on-campus housing expenses for non-local students.

Am I eligible to apply?

The program is restricted to undergraduate students or recent graduates who have not been accepted to graduate school programs. Successful applicants are typically juniors or seniors who have research experience. First and second year students may apply, however they will only be considered if they have strong research backgrounds. If you are not accepted to the program you may apply again in future years.

What are the requirements to apply?

Visit the application procedures page for full details on how to apply.

Where is the online application?

The application deadline has passed. We are no longer accepting new applications.

I accidentally submitted a partial application. What should I do?

Unfortunately we do not have a way to save and update information in our database. If you submitted an incomplete application, simply fill out another one. The partial application will be deleted.

I made a minor error on my application. How do I correct it?

If you made a small typographical error or wish to change something minor on your application, email your changes to . Be sure to include your name and application number in your email. If you need to make more than 1 or 2 small changes, resubmit a new application. Email letting us know which is the correct new application number and which number should be deleted.

My essay doesn't appear in my confirmation email. Did it submit?

There is a known issue regarding the essay on the application form. If your confirmation email does not include your essay text, it did not submit properly. If this happens to you, please email with your essay text pasted into your email. We will update our database accordingly. If the status page lists your essay as missing, you need to email your essay text using the address above. Without an essay, your application will not be considered for the fellowship.

DO NOT resubmit your application multiple times. If your essay does not appear in your confirmation email the first time it is unlikely to work on consecutive tries. EMAIL your essay text as directed above.

How can I check my application status?

You will receive a confirmation email with a summary of your application. We strongly recommend that you save a copy of this summary with your application number for future reference.

To view the status of your application, visit the application status page and look for your application number. If you do not see your application number on this page within 3 business days, your application did not submit properly and you need to re-enter your information.

If your application does not say "Yes" under Complete by February 17, you are not being considered for the fellowship. You will not receive personalized communication from us if your application is incomplete.

The status page isn't updating. How can I check my status?

The status page is generally updated at least once per day Monday through Friday. If you have checked the status page during the week and the "Last updated" text isn't changing, try clearing your browser cache and then reload the page.

I'm a foreign student and I don't have a visa. What do I fill in for Visa Type on the application form?

Leave the "visa type" field blank if you do not already have a visa. If you are accepted into our program, it will be your responsibility to obtain a visa. We will provide documents that show that you have been accepted to the CVS summer research program.

I attend a foreign institution. How should I list my GPA?

Enter your score without conversion (i.e. 8 out of 10, or whatever applies for your system).

What format should I use when emailing my files?

We strongly prefer that all electronic files are emailed as PDF attachments. Please use the naming format "lastname"_"firstname"_"resume/transcript/letter".pdf

How should I send my recommendation letters?

Your professors should email their letters directly to . Do not send duplicate hard copies by mail. Letters should be sent by the writers, NOT by the applicant.

May I send more than two letters of recommendation?

Applicants may send additional letters of recommendation in support of their applications. Your professors should email their letters directly to .

Who should I ask to write my recommendation letters?

We require that at least one letter needs to be from a faculty member at your school who is familiar with your academic career. You may also include letters from employers or others who know you well, but it is very important to have at least one letter from someone in academics like a current or former professor or your academic advisor.

The status page says that my "Faculty Letter" or "Other Letter" is missing. Which one have you received?

Take a look at your confirmation email. The first name you submitted for your letter writer contact info is the "Faculty Letter." The second name is the "Other Letter."

How should I send my transcript?

We require electronic versions of the transcript rather than using postal mail. This can be either student-submitted transcript (email as a single (1) PDF file) or your official transcript sent by your school via email (e.g., using e-SCRIP-SAFE or a similar service). For all transcripts, make sure that your transcript link is sent to . If you send it to the University of Rochester without using our email, we will not receive it.

Did you receive my letters/transcript/resume?

Check the application status page and look for your application number. When we have received all of your materials, your number will be marked "Yes" under "Complete." We also list the application materials that you are still missing. This information is updated M-F during business hours.

I'm unable to attend for the entire duration of the program. Could I still be accepted?

If you wish to apply but have a conflict with the dates of the program, please indicate the specifics in the comments section of the application form. If chosen for the fellowship we will be flexible in regard to your availability.

I'm a foreign student in a BS/MS program. Will you accept my application?

The program is restricted to undergraduate students or recent graduates who have not been accepted to Ph.D. programs. Successful applicants are typically further along in their academic careers with research experience.

I have a master's/doctoral degree. May I apply for the fellowship?

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are not eligible for the fellowship. If interested in the Center for Visual Science, you should contact the faculty member(s) who fits your areas of interest directly.