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STARS Application

The STARS Research Experiences for Undergraduates allows students to participate in high-level faculty-mentored research projects over the course of the academic year. Students that participate in the STARS Program will present their culminating research projects at our annual Cal Poly Pomona RSCA. The Cal Poly Pomona Student Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities Conference (CPP Student RSCA Conference) is an annual event that provides an opportunity for our undergraduate and graduate students to share their original research, scholarly and creative activities in March. The STARS Program is expected to start on September 13th, 2024.

Among the benefits include:  

  • The STARS program will recruit students and will provide financial support for the duration of the research. Each student will receive $1,000 at the end of each semester (Fall and Spring) for the academic year.   
  • Faculty mentors can receive up to $800 (or $400 per semester) reimbursement for supplies related to the research project per mentee for the STARS Program (2024 - 2025). 
  • Students will work on a faculty-mentored research project for about 5-8 hours per week 

Note: For the 2024-25 academic year, you will have the opportunity to participate in a research project either for one year or one selected semester (Fall and Spring or one semester). There will only be one application cycle. Ensure that when you are applying for either one semester or for the whole academic year that you submit your application during this application cycle. There will not be another application cycle until the STARS Summer REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) Program opens.  

 

2024-2025 STARS Student Application Now Closed

Deadline: August 30, 2024 at 11:59 pm

  

Eligibility

  1. Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 
  2. Submit an unofficial copy of your transcript.
  3. Submit a Financial Aid Report from your institution. 
  4. Be a current STEM major (at CPP, Mt.SAC, or Citrus College) or plan to become a STEM major. 
  5. Must be available each 2nd and 4th Friday of the month (Sep. 13 & 27, Oct. 11 & 25, Nov. 8 & 22, Dec. 13)
  6. Optional: Positive recommendation form(s).

Application Instructions

How to Apply

Application must be submitted using the Online Application Form including supporting documents. Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the program email: stars@cpp.edu.  A complete application package will include:
  1. The application form can be found HERE.  
  2. The Financial Aid Report can be an unofficial report from your institution’s web portal that provides a summary of your award package for the academic year. Students will have the opportunity to upload the Financial Aid Report in the application form.
  3. Unofficial copies of your Academic Transcript. Students will have the opportunity to upload the unofficial transcript in the application form.
  4. Optional: Recommendation Form(s) from Individuals who are able to comment on the applicant’s academic ability including faculty advisors at the student’s home institution or mentors from previous research activities. See Recommendation Form section below.
  5. All the documents must be converted to pdf files and saved as the document name_last name.pdf (Example: Transcript_Smith.pdf and Financial_Aid_Smith.pdf)
  6. Please upload all the required documents with the application form. 
 

Recommendation Form

  • Recommenders should include the applicant's name and field of study, and a ranking or evaluation of the applicant relative to their peer group.  Recommendation form can be found HERE (pdf).
  • The recommendation form must be downloaded and saved to access all the application fields including the digital signature field. Forms must be saved as Recommendation_Last name of the applicant.pdf (Example: Recommendation_Smith.pdf)
  • Student applicant, please make sure to download and share the recommendation form with your recommender. We ask that you also provide them with the instruction for submission and the deadline. 
  • Recommenders must submit all completed forms here: Qualtrics Submission Link
    • Reccomendation Due Date: August 30, 2024
    • Note: Recommendations submitted by students will NOT be accepted. Recommendations must be submitted by faculty only.

 

Selection Criteria

Selection to the STARS Program will be based on many factors including but not limited to: 
  • Commitment to complete a STEM degree program.
  • Potential for effective faculty mentor-student relationship.
  • Completeness of the application packet.
  • Alignment between research interests and available research projects.
  • Appropriate academic qualifications.
  • Strong motivation to carry out the project and potential for growth/educational value as evidenced in the recommendation form and application questions.
  • Underrepresented students such as Hispanics/ Latinx, low-income, first-generation, students with disabilities, and disconnected students are strongly encouraged to apply.