UCSB Summer Research Mentorship

ngongs
Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:15:16 +0000

Hi, I am currently a junior in high school, and I attended UCSB-RMP last summer. Personally, I really enjoyed my time at UCSB. All of the mentors were nice and helpful with everything you did. My research dealt with marine fouling species in the harbor at Santa Barbara. I had never performed research before, but my mentor walked me through all the basic steps. By the end of the 6 weeks, I was proficient in the procedures of the lab. You also get to learn how to write an official research paper. Once a week, TA’s will meet with you, and they will help you create each separate part of your paper. Also, twice a week, the director of the program finds researchers and professors to come speak to you. Some of them are even Nobel Prize winners!

Now the fun part The social aspect of the program is amazing. A group called Summer Discovery runs everything that doesn’t have to do with research. They took us on weekend and afternoon trips to places like Disney, Kodak Theater in LA, Universal Studios, Pismo Beach, and Hearst Castle.
Through this program, I made so many new friends. I met people as far away as Paris and Switzerland. After living together for 6 weeks, you really get to know people and connect with them. The people I met are now some of the closest friends I have.
The campus itself is beautiful. Everyone in the program is placed in Santa Cruz hall which is right next to the beach. The campus as a whole feels safe, and I am not afraid to walk around after sunset. You are also given free bus rides to downtown Santa Barbara. There is some great shopping and places to hang out while you’re there.

I highly recommend attending this program. This has to have been the best summer I have ever experienced.

@archaic, UCSB-RMP is the first summer research program I have attended, therefore; I am unable to tell you how it compares to other research programs. Sorry.

I hope you have fun where ever you go this summer.