FAQ

Applying to the program and notifications

What are the HCII REU Program dates?
The REU program dates are May 27 to August 1, 2025. Applicants must be available for core program dates.

Am I eligible to apply?
You are eligible if you meet all of the following criteria:

1. You are currently an undergraduate student at an institution of higher education in the United States (or you are a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or U.S. Permanent Resident and currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at an institution of higher education outside the United States).
2. You will graduate in November 2025 or later.
3. You will be at least 18 years old when the program starts.

Unfortunately, high school students and foreign nationals studying at non-U.S. institutions are not eligible for the HCII REU program. If you are on a student visa and you are accepted to the HCII REU program, you will need to apply for CPT or OPT at your home institution before the program starts.

When can I apply to the summer program?
The application for this summer program is typically open from the late fall into winter. 

When is the application deadline?
The deadline for the Summer 2025 program was January 17, 2025. 

How do I apply to the summer program? 
This year’s application will be accessible through the NSF Education and Training Application (ETAP) system. Please visit our application page for detailed instructions on how to register and complete the application. If you run into any issues with NSF ETAP when completing your application check the ETAP FAQ for more information.

I applied to the program and I have not heard back. How and when will I be notified?
All applicants, regardless of whether or not they are receiving an offer, will be notified via email. Most will know by mid-March but due to the high volume of applicants it may take a little longer. Please be patient with us as we take the time to thoroughly review each application.

I see there is an option to upload a copy of my resume, transcripts and letters of recommendation. Do I have to include these?
Your statement of purpose, resume, transcript (unofficial or official), and one letter of recommendation are required. While the other materials (publications, additional letters of recommendation, website, etc.) are not required, they are strongly encouraged.

Can I submit more than one recommendation letter with my application?
Yes. We require one reference letter to be submitted via the ETAP application. Optionally, we will accept up to two additional reference letters via email for consideration. Please instruct your additional reference letter writers to email their letters to us at hcii-reu@andrew.cmu.edu and specify the subject line of “REU reference letter for [Student Name].” Additional reference letters are due by the application close date. 

In particular, if you have any previous research experience (such as a semester or summer research assistantship or project, or previous REU), we strongly encourage you to ask for a letter of recommendation from the professor you worked with in that capacity. However, note that such prior research experience is not required for admission to the HCII REU program.

How should I choose a recommender?
Your recommender should be able to speak about your academic potential and ability. The strongest recommendations often come from individuals who have known you for an extended period of time and had the opportunity to work with you in a research and academic setting. A professor from your college or university with whom you have worked or done research, or who knows you well from a classroom setting, would be an excellent choice. However, one of our goals in this program is to invite students with little to no previous research experience. We therefore fully understand that you may not have yet done such research with any faculty at your home institution, and thus may not have such a letter-writer to ask for a recommendation.

I submitted my application, but need to update it. How do I go about updating my application?
Unfortunately, changes cannot be made to submitted applications. However, you can return at any time and modify your answer to any registration form question to use for future submissions.  

I applied last year and was accepted into the program, but had to decline. Do I need to reapply?
Yes, you must reapply to be considered.

Can I submit additional materials to strengthen my application?
Yes. If you would like to submit additional materials, please upload them under the additional materials upload option within the application. 

Can I upload my unofficial transcript to my application?
Yes. We accept unofficial transcripts.

My school is on the quarter system and ends after May 27th, can I still apply to the program? 
Students are expected to be able to be available for the duration of the program. If you are on the quarter system and this would affect your availability, please be sure to indicate that in your application.

Am I eligible for the program if I am an international student?
If you are an international student already studying in the US, you are eligible to apply. Note, however, that the majority of our funding does come from the National Science Foundation, which requires recipients to be undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, but we do have other funding available for undergraduate students who are not US citizens or permanent residents. 

I attended high school outside of the U.S. and do not see my school on the list. How do I proceed with my application?
To enter an international high school:
- click the Find School button
- search by zip code
- enter any US zip code (easy example - 15213)
- scroll to the bottom of the results
- click the last option, "I don't see my school on the list"
A box will then pop up to allow you to enter in your school details.

Am I eligible for the program if I am graduating this spring?
Unfortunately, no. Students who will have received their bachelor's degrees and will no longer be enrolled as undergraduates during the program dates are not eligible to participate.

General information about the program 

Which research groups participate in the program?
Please see the Research Projects page for the current list of projects and associated participating faculty.

Are summer researchers paid?
Yes, students will receive a stipend, travel support, and a food allowance.

Can I get course credit for this internship?
This depends on your home university policies, please check with them to discuss.

Will attending the HCII REU program help me prepare for graduate school?
Yes! The HCII REU program will provide tools for you to help you explore graduate school options available to you at CMU and other universities. Our past students have gone on to graduate school at CMU, UC Berkeley, University of Washington and other leading universities.

May I register for classes or work part-time during the program?
Because this is a full-time program, students are discouraged from working an additional part-time position, or taking classes. If you feel you need to get a second job or take a class, talk to your faculty advisor.

Can I change projects at any time during the onboarding or summer?
No; the funding used to cover your stipend only covers the specific project you join. All work done during your time with us must be related to the project you are invited to work on.

What transportation options are available once we arrive in Pittsburgh?
Non-CMU students will receive a Pittsburgh Regional Transit pass which will allow you to access the Pittsburgh bus system to travel around the city. CMU also has a free shuttle service you are able to take advantage of by showing the shuttle driver your CMU ID upon boarding.

Where will I live?
All HCII REU students will live in air-conditioned on-campus apartments with 1 to 2 roommates. The program will reserve and pay for the housing directly. All program students will be housed together to enhance the sense of community in the program. 

Is there a dress code I need to follow?
We are pretty casual here at the HCII. It’s not unusual to see people in jeans or shorts and t-shirts over the summer. We do recommend bringing at least one business casual outfit to wear at the end of summer poster session.

What should I bring on my first day?
Your first day will primarily consist of orientation. If you need anything in particular, you will get an email ahead of time to let you know.

Have another question we haven’t addressed? 
Email us at  hcii-reu@andrew.cmu.edu