Summer Research Program Frequently Asked Questions
Application/Eligibility Questions
What if I can not begin until after the program start date? What if I need to leave early?
Is it necessary to be a US Citizen to be eligible?
I am not enrolled in an undergraduate program, am I still eligible to apply?
How will I know that you have received my application and my references?
Should I apply to my school for summer support for my participation in this program?
May I receive academic credit for this summer?
Will I be reimbursed for travel costs?
I am a recent graduate of Harvard College, am I still eligible to apply
Should I apply to my school/department for summer support for my participation in this program?
May I receive academic credit for this summer?
Will I be reimbursed for travel costs?
Summer Program Details
What are the 2008 program dates?
What are students paid?
How many hours do I work per week? Will I work nights and weekends?
What are you looking for in successful applicants?
What makes for an excellent application?
What is expected of students? What is expected of mentors?
What are the major health risks?
What health insurance is provided?
What is the food plan like?
What is the housing like?
What does the proctor do?
What should I bring with me this summer?
What about computer access?
Will my cell phone work there? Is there a land line?
What is the contact information at the Forest?
Parent Information
What are the 2008 program dates?
What are students paid?
What is the contact information at the Forest?
What are the major health risks?
What health insurance is provided?
What is the food plan like?
What is the housing like?
What does the proctor do?
What is expected of students? What is expected of mentors?
What is there to do at Harvard Forest during off hours?
What religious communities are near the Forest
Living in Petersham
Is there public transportation to Harvard Forest? How do I get there without a car?
I don't have a car so how will I get around?
What is there to do at Harvard Forest during off hours?
Local Restaurants
Outdoor Activities
Places to Visit
Movie Theaters
Gyms
Where can I go shopping for groceries, gas and fun stuff?
What are the nearest medical facilities?
What religious communities are near the Forest
What if I can not begin until after the program start date? What if I need to leave early?
Most projects require that students start with the program and stay for the full 12 weeks. Occasionally, a mentor needs students that start either a week early or a week later than the program. If this is your situation, please note the date you will be available on your application clearly in the top of your personal essay.
Is it necessary to be a US Citizen to be eligible?
All Harvard undergraduate students are invited to apply to the program. However, students must be able to be legally employed by Harvard University to receive the compensation package. Due to IRS regulations, compensation is defined as stipend, room and board costs. Harvard-enrolled international and resident alien students who wish to participate in the program should indicate in the first sentence of the essay which of the following avenues you are pursuing:
- To receive compensation (including room and board) for the summer. The student will consult with the Student Employment Office (SEO) and Harvard International Office (HIO) to discuss his/her individual circumstance and compensation eligibility; or
- To participate without receiving a stipend and agree to pay for room and board costs ($3282 for 2008).
This is a complicated issue so students are welcome to contact hfapps@fas.harvard.edu with questions.
Our funding is primarily for US citizens or resident aliens. International students who are able to obtain support from other sources, which includes paying for the cost of room and board (est. summer 2008 $3,282), are welcome to apply. The first sentence of the essay should state that the applicant is an international student and they have or intend to obtain the funding to pay for their room and board as well as cover their stipend.
I am not enrolled in an undergraduate program, am I still eligible to apply?
Most of our funding is for students who are enrolled in a 2 or 4 year colleges. Students who have completed their associates degree (2 year program) and are going on to get a bachelor's degree (4 year program) are encouraged to apply and will be considered as part of the general applicant pool. Students who have already obtained a bachelors degree or who are currently enrolled in a graduate program are welcome to apply but should be aware that we usually have funding for only a few positions each year. Projects known to have funding for all types of applicants, including graduate students, international students with US working papers, graduated students as well as undergraduates have an * at the end of the project description.
How will I know that you have received my application and my references?
Upon submission of your application, you will receive a confirmation email. After each of your reference writers submits your recommendation, you will receive an email notice as well. Please confirm your status on-line. If you believe that the on-line status is incorrect, contact hfapps@fas.harvard.edu.
Should I apply to my school for summer support for my participation in this program?
If your school has funding for student summer research projects, please do apply for this funding. We only admit the exact number of students we have funding for but often have additional projects for which we do not have sufficient funds to support a student. Students who are able to obtain support from other sources to defray travel costs, stipends, research supplies, etc. should indicate this on their application. This supplemental funding often allows us to support additional students.
May I receive academic credit for this summer?
We encourage students to work with faculty at their home institution to receive academic credit for their summer work. Please inquire at your school about the process.
Will I be reimbursed for travel costs?
Students who travel to the Forest by their own arrangements will be reimbursed for travel costs up to $350 for one round trip between the Forest and either their home or school address. As this is paid for with federal funds, there are details and limitations that will be explained in the hiring package.
I am a recent graduate of Harvard College, am I still eligible to apply
Most of our funding is for students who are currently enrolled in college. Students who have already obtained a bachelors degree are welcome to apply but should be aware that we usually have funding for only a few positions each year. Projects available for recent alumni have an * at the end of the project description.
Should I apply to my school/department for summer support for my participation in this program?
We will ask students who are eligible for work study for the summer to apply to the Student Employment Office for this support. In addition, individual students may be requested to apply to HU internal sources of funding, based upon relevance to their projects and research mentors. We work closely with students and mentors on each project to determine the best funding mechanisms for each individual and project. Each student in the program receives the same compensation; however, the funding may come from different sources, as noted above.
May I receive academic credit for this summer?
Each academic department at Harvard has a different policy about allowing academic credit for summer research experiences. Students interested in this should talk with the departmental Head Tutor and/or their academic advisor
Will I be reimbursed for travel costs?
Travel reimbursement for mileage for one round trip between Petersham and Cambridge, MA, for students who travel to the Forest by their own arrangements. No reimbursement is offered for when Harvard Forest provides transportation.
What are students paid?
Student compensation includes the following:
- Stipend of $4920 for the 12-week session ($410/wk);
- Free furnished housing at Fisher House or Raup House; and
- Free full meal plan.
What are the 2008 program dates?
The program runs for 12 weeks beginning Tuesday, May 27, 2008 (the day after Memorial Day). There is a Student Symposium on Thursday, August 14, 2008 to which family and friends are welcome. The program ends at 5 pm on Friday, August 15, 2008.
How many hours do I work per week? Will I work nights and weekends?
Students work typically 40 hours per week however that varies with each project needs. Some projects require early morning, late night or weekend work, which should be included in the project description as well as detailed by the researcher during the interview process. In addition, there are one-hour educational workshops and seminars held one to two evenings per week after dinner. All participants are required to attend these educational programs.
What are you looking for in successful applicants?
Similar to most REU programs, the Harvard Forest Summer Program receives many more applications than available funded positions. Overall, the pool of students hired will come with a wide variety of experience and educational backgrounds. A small but significant portion of students hired are rising freshman who show an interest in ecology but of course do not have significant course work or experience. The majority of students hired are sophomores and juniors who have a background in relevant science courses. There are usually a few positions in which graduated students are eligible, indicated by an * at the beginning of the project title. We actively recruit students from small colleges, community colleges and schools with limited opportunities to get "hands on" research experience, so many students hired do not have previous field experience. The most competitive applicants have demonstrated an ability to take initiative and responsibility, whether by work or volunteer experience. We do NOT have any minimum GPA requirement or specific courses that are prerequisites.
What makes for an excellent application?
Most mentors look first at applicants who picked their projects and perhaps also at students who picked projects in related areas. What is important to a mentor varies greatly. Some emphasize previous coursework, good grades, extracurricular activities, or relevant work experience, while other mentors look for a student with excellent potential but in need of a first research experience. The one area most mentors agree is invaluable is the personal essay as an indicator of an applicant's background and their interest in the projects offered in this year’s program. Avoid submitting a generic essay with the theme that this would be a good internship experience for you or that it will help you get into professional school. Instead, pick your projects carefully then spend time using your personal essay to explain your selections. The best applicants spend time perusing the Forest web site and craft a thoughtful essay about their individual interests, why they have picked the projects listed, why the Forest in particular interests them and how this internship program will help them further develop their career goals. This of course takes more time, but investing an hour or two in research and writing your essay often makes an application stand out from the rest, and significantly increases the chances of being interviewed.
What is the housing like? Will I have a roommate?
Students live at Fisher House (23 beds) or Raup House (13 beds). While both houses are co-ed, rooms are single sex. Most students will have 1 to 3 roommates. Please note that linens, blankets and towels are provided and there are coin-operated laundry facilities located on site.
What does the proctor do?
Each dorm has a full time live-in proctor, who is a combination resident advisor and program coordinator. Proctors help organize group activities, assist students having any problems, act as mentors regarding research projects and ensure that students follow the Code of Conduct (discussed below) and abide by house rules.
What is the food plan like?
Students are provided with a complete meal plan, provided by a profession chef with 20+ years experience. Our cook has extensive expertise in addressing food allergies and cooking vegetarian and vegan meals. We ask students to answer a food preference survey prior to arrival to assist the chef in planning. Monday through Thursday, students have a self-serve breakfast buffet, and hot lunch and dinner. Friday, the cook makes a special breakfast and has a BBQ lunch for students. Weekends, students are given groceries to cook as well as large quantities of left-overs from the week. The residences have fully stocked kitchens for their use on weekends. Students sign up for 1-2 shifts per week to clean up after meals.
What is expected of students? What is expected of mentors?
The summer program is a core part of the research and education mission of Harvard Forest. While every student, mentor and project is different, we place high expectations on all the students and their mentors to ensure everyone has an excellent albeit demanding research experience. These expectations are stated explicitly for mentors and students and program staff seek to ensure all participants understand them and act within this spirit.
Students are expected to comply with the Code of Conduct which they sign as part of their acceptance materials. This code clearly states that all illegal drug use is prohibited and only students who are of legal age to drink may to do so, and even they are limited to specified occasions while on Forest property. No alcohol is allowed to be stored in student dorms, regardless of the age of the purchaser. The Code is taken quite seriously at the Forest and violation of it may lead to discipline or dismissal from the program.
What should I bring with me this summer?
Students should bring what will make for a comfortable and enjoyable summer. The top two items which are almost universally desired are insect repellant and a fan. Here is a suggested Summer Equipment List to consider
What about computer access? Should I bring my own?
The Forest will provide computers for use on your project. Though we cannot offer email accounts, you'll be able to access your own email account using our machines. If you would like to bring your own computer (with Ethernet card), we will help set it up to access the network from your dorm room.
Will my cell phone work there? Is there a land line?
We provide a telephone, answering machine and a voicemail service at the dorms for shared student use. All calls (except very local) require a calling card so please bring one with you. Cells phones work intermittently here but are very worthwhile to have.
What is the contact information at the Forest?
Telephone:
Raup House 978-724-3206
Fisher House 978-724-3230
Emergencies:
During regular office hours (M-F 8:30am - 4:30pm): 978-724-3302 (Main Office)
After 4:30pm and weekends: 1-866-844-4923 (On call facilities staff)
Program Director:
Edythe Ellin, Director of Administration
978-724-3302, ext. 224 or ellin@fas.harvard.edu
Mailing Address
Student Name, Harvard Forest, 324 North Main Street, Petersham, MA 01366
What are the major health risks?
There are health risks associated with lab and field research. Students working in the lab may be exposed to caustic chemicals and other toxic substances. Students working in the field often have to travel over uneven ground, and through areas with biting insects, falling trees, and sticking plants.
The most common health problems result from reactions to biting insects, including mosquitoes, wasps and bees, and ticks. The most common cause for medical treatment is when students exhibit symptoms of Lyme disease following a tick bite. We monitor such situations very closely to ensure that anyone showing symptoms of Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics as soon as possible. For more information about Lyme disease, please see http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/index.htm.
Please know that we work hard to ensure the health and safety off all our staff and students. For instance, we spend a substantial portion of the first 2 days of the program in an orientation that includes more than four hours of safety training, both through lecture and lab/field exercises. In addition, we provide radio equipment for researchers working in the field to use to communicate between themselves and the main building. Finally, students are not allowed to do chemical work in the labs during off hours and solo field work is strongly discouraged.
What health insurance is provided?
All employees of Harvard Forest are covered by Harvard University's Worker's Compensation policy for injuries sustained while working. All enrolled undergraduates should be covered by their student health insurance policy and ideally all students are covered by their parents' health insurance as well. Students injured during non-work time are responsible for the costs of any health care required. Harvard Forest does not provide general health insurance for summer employees.
Is there public transportation to Harvard Forest? How do I get there without a car?
There is NO public transportation to Harvard Forest. We work with all students to get them to and from Harvard Forest safely and expeditiously. Students are picked up at (and returned to) nearby airports (Boston-Logan, Hartford-Springfield, or Manchester, New Hampshire), train (Fitchburg) or bus stations (Springfield, Massachusetts).
I don't have a car so how will I get around?
Harvard Forest has a fleet of vehicles for use for research and education purposes. Typically half of the summer students bring their own vehicles. For those folks not having a vehicle, we provide limited access to Harvard Forest vehicles during non-working hours for group educational/recreational trips. In addition, the proctors organize trips to the local stores (Wal-Mart, Target, CVS, etc.) for students to stock up as needed. Please note that only HF employees and collaborators are allowed to drive or ride in Forest vehicles, family and friends are not. Authorized drivers must have a clean driving record and a valid driver's license. Student drivers are covered by Harvard Forest's commercial insurance policy but if a student is negligent and causes damage to a vehicle, they may be required to pay the $500 deductible.
What is there to do at Harvard Forest during off hours?
Harvard Forest provides:
Satellite TV/DVD/VHS in dorms
Limited access to Forest vehicles for group educational/recreational activities
Computer and internet access
Board games
5 hybrid bikes for on and off road rides
2 canoes and gear for flat water canoeing
Volleyball/badminton/basketball equipment
Outdoor fire ring and wood
Things to do around Harvard Forest and the Region.