FAQs

• How big is the program?

  • ~30 students will be accepted this summer.

• Do I need to find my own research mentor before I apply?

  • No. Applicants can request to be paired with a mentor based on their stated research interests.

  • Applicants can provide the name of a specific faculty mentor if they have already made arrangements with that mentor about working with them during the summer, but this is not required to apply. Applicants who list a specific mentor must explain in writing how their research with that mentor would relate to one of the five Key Research Areas. We recommend working with your research mentor on this justification. 

• Do I have to live on campus?

  • No. Participants are not required to live on campus. Most participants live on campus, but some students choose to live off campus. 

• Can I take summer class?

  • No. SOAR is a full-time position. Students are not allowed to register for summer classes.

• What does a typical day look like?

  • Most students will be in the lab full-time on weekdays.

  • Specific schedules will depend on your lab and experiments. Some mentors and laboratories may have different working schedules. 

  • All participants attend weekly professional development workshops as well as a Research Methods Seminar according to a set schedule. Research mentors will be made aware in advance that SOAR participants must attend these workshops. 

• What will my research project be?

  • Research mentors guide SOAR pariticipants in the development of their summer research projects.

• What does economically disadvantaged mean?

  • For domestic students, we prioritize Pell eligibility. If there are other extenuating circumstances that demonstrate an applicant's experience with economic hardship besides Pell eligibility, applicants can explain this in their short answer responses. 

  • We encourage international student applicants to explain more about their relevant financial situations in the short answer questions. 

   

• What does first-generation college student mean?

  • A first-generation college student is a student whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree.

  • If you live in a home with two parents, that means that both parents did not complete a four-year college or university degree. 

• What does 'domestic' or 'international' student mean?
  • Domestic typically means a US Citizen or Permanent Resident. 
  • International typically means someone with a Student Visa. 

  If you have any questions or concerns about this, you can email cie@stonybrook.edu. We are also happy to schedule one-on-one conversations. 

• Does research on ___ topic fit into a Key Research Area?

  • There is not a one-size-fits-all answer to this question.

  • Applicants who list a  specific research mentor on their application will need to provide a written justification explaining why their work in that laboratory would fit into one of the Key Research Areas. There is not one rigid definition for each Key Research Area. Our review team will be judging the fit of projects by carefully reviewing each justification statement. 

  • We strongly encourage applicants to work with their research mentor on the justification statement so they can provide a specific, strong explanation about the relevance of the research to the Key Research Area.  

• I'm new to research! Which Key Research Area is right for me?

  • SUNY SOAR helps students to get involved in research, even if they haven' done so before. We encourage applicants to apply based on their best understanding of their current academic interests, even if they aren't 100% sure what research area might be right for them. Our team will pair participants with knowledgeable mentors. 

  • Remember, any research experience is a great opportunity to build professional skills, meet new mentors, and demonstrate on your resume that you have the ability to learn new skills, problem-solve, and answer difficult questions.

  • No matter the field that you end up researching, applicants will find that listing a SOAR research experience is beneficial for their post-college plans, whether that includes medical school, graduate school, industry, or another exciting career!