Thank you for your interest in the MARC program. After 45 years, and hundreds of undergraduates trained and launched into amazing scientific careers as doctoral level scientists, the MARC program has ended. We celebrate our students and their accomplishments and will continue to seek out ways to support the highly talented and dedicated future scientists.

Who Was Eligible?

MARC was a federally funded training program, with specific requirements for participation.

Transfer students who had not yet established a University of Texas at San Antonio GPA were generally admitted to MARC-2 for their first semester. Students in another federal research training program could not be funded by both their program and MARC; however, they could join MARC-2. Pre-Medical students were not eligible.

Students were eligible for consideration for MARC if they:

  • Were an American Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Strongly desired to pursue a career as a researcher in biomedical engineering or biomedical sciences (and particularly if they desired a PhD)
  • Were a major or pre-major in Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Biology (except environmental), Microbiology/Immunology, Neuroscience, Psychology, and students focusing on biomedical research topics within Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics
  • GPA minimum: admission evaluation was holistic, but most trainees had a GPA of 3.2 and above with no C or below in their major courses in prior semester

Additional Information

Item MARC MARC-2
Time Needed 2 years required variable
Duration 3 years maximum variable
Level final 2 years required variable
Timing year round year round
Funding year round stipend and partial tuition n/a
Thesis; Honors required required

Application Deadlines

Applications were accepted year round and were reviewed in late spring, summer and fall. A majority of positions were available in summer. Additional application reviews took place until all program positions were filled, as well as in the case of unexpected mid-semester positions.

Information Needed for Application

  • Names of potential research mentors (if the student didn't currently have one).
  • Names and emails of two recommenders, preferably faculty from STEM courses.
    » advice on asking for recommendations
  • Answers to the following short essay questions:
    1. What are your career and educational plans and what motivates you to pursue them?
    2. Please describe your research experience(s).
      • One paragraph per experience, including High School.
      • Include the title of the project, the name of the faculty Advisor/Mentor (Laboratory "owner"), where you performed the research, training program (if pertinent), and duration (or ongoing).
      • Include the following: intro/hypothesis, methods, results, conclusions, presentations/awards, impact on you.
      • For lab(s), do you desire to continue in this laboratory?
    3. Are you involved in any activities that broaden access to research, or promote the success of other STEM students? Briefly describe.
    4. In what clubs/organizations are you active, or have you been active, and have you held leadership roles in them?
    5. How will this program enhance your ability to reach your educational and career goals?
    6. Please discuss any other relevant information that you feel the Selection Committee should take into consideration when assessing your application.

Advice on Asking for Recommendations

Two recommendations were needed for this application.

  1. Obtain recommendations preferably from math or science faculty members.
    • Exception: Psychology students should get at least one recommendation from a Psychology professor.
    • Recommendations from TAs are not recommended.
    • If you have worked in or are working in a research laboratory (not a teaching lab), get a recommendation from the PI of the lab.
  2. The better you know someone, the better your recommendation is likely to be. If you have any doubts that a person will evaluate you well, ask them whether they "know you well enough to write a strong recommendation for you." People don't like writing bad recommendations and this way you give them an easy way to turn you down rather than writing a bad or very scanty recommendation. Realize, however, that even a scanty recommendation is better than not turning one in at all or not applying.
  3. Ask your recommender as far in advance as possible—preferably two weeks at minimum. Good recommendations take some consideration and time to put together and your professors are very busy.
  4. You will provide the name and email address of your recommender when you apply. Your recommender will receive an email inviting them to send in the recommendation.
  5. If a faculty member doesn't know you very well but will work with you, you may assist them by helping them get to know you better. Set up an appointment and provide them with a letter detailing your future goals and the program to which you are applying, as well as a copy of your résumé/CV.
  6. PhDs often need to be reminded and are not annoyed if you do it politely. Follow up with your recommenders to make sure that the letters are actually sent. The "squeaky wheel gets the grease" really works in this circumstance.