Student Summer Research Fellowship Program

The Student Summer Research Fellowship Program administered under the Computer Science Department aims at recruiting a group of highly motivated undergraduate students from our partner universities (see list below) to join the faculty-led research groups and conduct research at UChicago in the summer (July and August).

During the 8-week program period, each student will spend their work time with one faculty member and their research team to conduct research. In addition, the program will organize group-based team building activities, workshops, group projects etc. that will expose students to the larger UChicago academic community.

More Info (PDF)

Partner Universities:

• Fudan University
• Keio University
• National Taiwan University
• Peking University
• The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShenZhen
• The University of Electro-Communications
• The University of Science & Technology of China
• The University of Tsukuba
• Tsinghua University
• Zhejiang University

Program Contact:

Program Support: Nita Yack (nitayack at uchicago.edu )

Faculty Lead: Shan Lu (shanlu at uchicago.edu), Ken Naknagaki (knakagaki at uchicago.edu)

During the application season, applicants will submit their application online via the UChicago application system: https://apply-psd.uchicago.edu/apply/ndv/

The site is open now for the 2024 summer visit application!

At this application site, please select “Non-Degree” and then “Computer Science Student Summer Research Fellowship” as the program.

Application materials should include:

• Candidate Statement (word limit: 300)
• CV/Resume
• Undergraduate Transcript [For Master’s students, both undergraduate and master’s transcripts]
• English Requirement (TOEFL/IELTS report, or UChicago AEPA) **Based on the policy for NDVS at the University, to meet the English requirement, we recognize three types of test: TOEFL iBT Speaking (18 or better), IELTS (Speaking score of 6.0 or better), or AEPA (“Basic” level or above).
• [Only for Master’s students] One Recommendation Letter (Ideally from a Faculty Supervisor / Research Mentor)

Deadline: February 28th, 2024

Faculty Interview & Release Admissions Results: before mid-April, 2024

Student Attendance Confirmation Due: end of April, 2024

Program Period: July 1st, 2024 —August 23rd, 2024

Will you tell me if you have successfully received my application material?

After you submit your materials electronically, you will receive a confirmation email. Please do not send inquiries to the Admissions Office requesting status of your application. If your application is incomplete, you will be notified directly. (Watch your email for notifications.)

When can I expect to receive an admission decision?

The admission results will typically be released in April. We will send out the admissions result electronically via email. If you have not heard from us after April 10th, please email us directly.

Why was my application denied? Can I be reconsidered?

We assess a number of factors when evaluating applications to the summer scholar program. Academic background, research experience, test scores, motivations for participating the program and essays all play an equal role in consideration. For international students, English language skills are also assessed. There is no one factor that determines admission. At this time, we are not able to provide specific feedback on your application and all admission decisions are final.

Is the program open to undergraduate or graduate students?

For now, this program only opens to undergraduate students (and master students occasionally) from certain partner universities.

Can I work while being a summer student?

You will not be able to work or get paid during the program period.

What is the language requirement for applying the program?  If I do not have TOEFL/ IELTS score, will I be able to apply for the program?

International applicants may submit either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to meet the English language requirement. If you are not able to provide a TOEFL or IELTS score report, you have to take the Academic English Proficiency Assessment (AEPA).

Can I submit SAT, AP or A-Level results instead of TOEFL/IELTS to prove my English proficiency?

No. You must have an official TOEFL or IELTS score sent directly to the University of Chicago, or you can take the AEPA offered by UChicago.

What is the AEPA?

The Academic English Proficiency Assessment (AEPA) is an authentic, highly structured English conversation between a prospective University of Chicago student and an English language specialist at the University of Chicago. An AEPA typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes and includes an academic role play. You can access more information relating to AEPA here.

How should I prepare for the AEPA?

Due to the spontaneous and customized nature of the AEPA, there is no official way to study for an AEPA. The language specialist’s goal is to elicit the test taker’s best possible sample of spoken English in academic context. The language specialist is interested in overall, functional speaking ability rather than only accuracy and grammar.

Can I take the AEPA test after I got admitted?

If you will have a qualified TOEFL score, you do not need to take the AEPA test. Otherwise, you have to get a passing AEPA test score to join the summer program. In the past, some students chose to take the test after getting “conditionally admitted” (conditioned on passing AEPA test). It could work out, but it may delay your Visa application process.