Who is Eligible?
You are eligible for consideration for the WSRTP if you:
- Are an American Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Strongly desire to pursue a career as a researcher in biomedical engineering or biomedical sciences (and particularly if you desire a Ph.D.)
- Have 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: ~2.7
- Are from a group that is underrepresented in the sciences:
- have a disability recognized by UTSA's Disability Office
- or are ethnically underrepresented in the sciences (Hispanic, African American, American Pacific Islander, Alaskan)
- or are financially disadvantaged*
* The NIH considers scientists to have come from a disadvantaged background if they meet at least two of the following criteria:
- Were or currently are homeless, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
- Were or currently are in the foster care system, as defined by the Administration for Children and Families
- Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years
- Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor's degree (see the U.S. Department of Education)
- Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants
- Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children as a parent or child
- Grew up in one of the following areas:
- a U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer or
- a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas (qualifying zip codes are included in the file)
Additional Information
- Time Needed: 1 year
- Duration: variable
- Level: variable
- Timing: varies
- Funding: $10/hr of awarded Work Study funds
- Thesis; Honors: optional
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted year round and are reviewed in late spring, summer and fall. A majority of positions are available in summer. Additional application reviews will take place until all program positions are filled, as well as in the case of unexpected mid-semester positions.
Information Needed for Application
- Names of potential research mentors (if you currently don't have one.)
See list of approved mentors. - Names and emails of two recommenders, preferably faculty from STEM courses.
See advice on asking for recommendations. - Answers to the following short essay questions:
- What are your career and educational plans and what motivates you to pursue them?
- 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 UTSA lab(s), do you desire to continue in this laboratory?
- Are you involved in any activities that broaden access to research, or promote the success of other STEM students? Briefly describe.
- In what clubs/organizations are you active, or have you been active, and have you held leadership roles in them?
- How will this program enhance your ability to reach your educational and career goals?
- Please discuss any other relevant information that you feel the Selection Committee should take into consideration when assessing your application.
HINT!! Do not let shyness or hesitation about an application prevent you from participating is this program. If you are strongly motivated to pursue a career in research and are having trouble with letters or other parts of your application, come and see Dr. Gail Taylor for advice. If a doctoral degree is your goal, our programs will benefit you greatly.
Advice on Asking for Recommendations
You need two recommendations for this application.
- Obtain recommendations preferably from UTSA 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Apply to WSRTP Now!
The WSRTP application is an electronic document which asks for contact, academic, career goal, and demographic information.
