Here, you can see answers to some of the most common questions we receive from undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty members.
Common questions from undergraduate students about IML research projects
Will selecting multiple projects hurt my chances of getting my first choice?
Absolutely not. To the contrary: If you are interested in participating in the IML, selecting multiple projects is recommended to increase your chances of acceptance. We recommend you list all projects in which you are interested. Some projects get many more applications than other projects. Therefore the application process for some projects is more competitive than for others. Your chance to be accepted is higher if you list at least three projects.
Can I still change my project choice after I submitted my application?
You will still be able change your application, including your project choices, after you have submitted it. So if you apply now and later change your mind about which projects you want to apply to, you can still make changes to your application until the deadline.
What do you look for in the essays?
Through these essays, you should show that you are passionate about participating and why you would be a good addition to the projects you listed most highly. We are concerned with the content in these essays, not writing style. Your essays should be in your own words – essays written by AI are unconvincing.
How can I increase my chances of getting my first choice?
If you are especially passionate about a particular project, you should convey this in your essay. Highlight how the projects interests you as well as how your experiences (relevant coursework, any previous research, etc.) make you a good fit for the project.
The applications ask me whether if accepted, I am able to register for 3 credits of MATH 492. Currently my schedule is full, but I would drop a course if accepted. Is that okay?
Yes, that is fine. In this situation, please answer the question with “Yes”.
The applications ask me whether if accepted, I am able to register for 3 credits of MATH 492. Currently my schedule is full, so can I participate in the IML without registering?
No, all research participants are required to register for MATH 492.
I am unable to get my unofficial transcript from the Office of the Registrar. Can I use screenshots from Self-Service?
We will accept screenshots. However, we prefer if do the following instead: while in Self-Service, hit “print” under the “file” tab in your web browser and use that to produce a PDF file for submission.
How much does my GPA matter for my application?
When selecting projects, we check grades in the selection process to ensure students satisfy any prerequisites. Having a 4.0 GPA of upper level courses is no guarantee that you will be selected. To us, a strong applicant is determined by the essays, so we still encourage you to apply.
I’m not very experienced with programming. Can I still apply?
Absolutely! Different projects have varying levels of desired programming skills listed in their descriptions.
I haven’t yet completed Calculus III. Can I still apply?
Unfortunately most projects require Calculus III as a prerequisite. However, if you are still interested in being involved in IML, we encourage you to become active in our Undergraduate Outreach organization.
Do I need to submit a resume?
No. We request all relevant information in the application itself. If you have additional information you would like to include, this should appear in your essays.
When will I hear about the results of the application process?
Participants are typically notified of their project assignments within the first week of classes for a given semester.
Some of my friends have received emails about their results, but I have not heard anything yet. What does this mean?
Often results are not announced all at once. Furthermore, sometime students don’t accept offers, and we are able to make more offers. If you have not yet received an email about your application, a decision has not yet been finalized for your application. Your application has not been forgotten/lost if this occurs. We will send out rejections only after all slots are filled. We appreciate your patience as we make final decisions.
My application was rejected. Does that mean I am not good enough for the IML research projects?
Absolutely not! The IML routinely receives three times as many applications as their are spots. We get many really strong applications, and we simply don’t have enough openings to take every qualified applicant. Please don’t be discouraged and reapply next semester! Just because your application was unsuccessful this semester, this does not mean your application will also be unsuccessful next semester.
Common questions from graduate students
The project I am most interested in is not in my research area. Can I still apply for it?
Certainly! It might be most helpful for you to contact the professor to get more information about their expectations for their graduate student.
I’m not very experienced with programming. Can I still apply?
Absolutely! Different projects have varying levels of desired programming skills listed in their descriptions.
Is this a paid position?
Unfortunately, no. We currently cannot offer you any compensation for serving as team leader. However, graduate students find IML participation to be enjoyable and satisfying, and it can be a plus in the academic job market to have experience leading undergraduate research. Graduate students who have participated as team leaders for at least two semesters become eligible to apply for the Susan C. Morisato Scholarship, which provides summer funding to one or two graduate students each summer.
Common questions from faculty members
If things go well, is it possible to keep going with the same group of students for longer than one semester?
Yes. In particular, more advanced projects easily extend over multiple semester. If you run a project and want to continue it, just let us know by submitting a project indicating that it is a continuation. If previous participants want to continue (and you want to continue working with them), then simply let us know we will assign them again. In this situation, we will also call for new applications to this project, but there is no requirement to take new students. In our experience is that usually 50–75% of the students want to continue. Often there are one or two new applications from stellar students; in these cases, we would—with consent of the faculty member—add such students.
Do graduate students get any sort of compensation or teaching reduction if they serve as a team leader on an IML project?
Unfortunately, we cannot offer paid positions or teaching reductions to graduate leaders. However, many graduate students want to participate nevertheless. Graduate students who have participated as team leaders for at least two semesters become eligible to apply for the Susan C. Morisato Scholarship, which provides summer funding.
Are there any IML projects in the summer?
Yes, but our current policy is that all projects that run in the summer must pay participating students. (If we ran unpaid projects in the summer, many students could not participate.) Through the Hoover program, we are able to fund one research project each summer in which the graduate student leader and undergraduate scholars are all funded. We usually send out an email in February asking interested faculty members to submit project ideas for the summer session.