WCU SURI

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

So what's the deal?

Spend a month conducting independent research this summer

• 1-on-1 guidance from a faculty mentor
• Free access to campus rec center and academic facilities
• Stipend provided
• Full summer meal plan
• Housing included
• Weekly workshops
• Other networking activities, including a possible field trip

What counts as research?

Research is a process of careful inquiry leading to the discovery of new information. Although there are some differences in how research is conducted across disciplines, research is not restricted to certain disciplines. You can find research opportunities in all programs at WCU. This means you don't have to only run rats around a maze or discover cold fusion. Check out last some of last year's research!

How do I find a mentor?

Professors love to discuss their research! Ask faculty what they are interested in. Ask if anyone in the department shares your research interests. Pivot a great place to search faculty interests. As a West Chester University student, you have free access. You can also search for your topic and see if professors pop up in the search. Don't hesitate to shoot them an email! If you try all of these methods to contact a potential faculty mentor and none of them works, you can

email us,

and we'll try to help you.

What happens when we are done?

SURI is meant to be a springboard. How far that launches you is up to you. This is a chance to bite your teeth into something that you are passionate about. As a follow-up, SURI researchers will present findings in the fall at an annual symposium with either an oral presentation or poster. We hope you'll be able to continue working with your faculty mentor after SURI is over, either independently or on a funded research project.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for SURI, students must satisfy the following requirements:

• Be an enrolled full-time WCU student as of Spring 2017
• Be a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior
• If a graduating senior, you must be accepted to WCU for graduate studies
• Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Be in good academic standing
• Identified a faculty mentor

How will students be selected?

Applications will be reviewed and rated for:

• Feasibility
• Originality
• Scholarly significance
• Project's ability to enhance student development
• Methods to share project outcomes