Participating in Summer Undergraduate Research Programs Demystifies Graduate School Applications

Abstract

While quantitative research has revealed that undergraduate research experiences are closing graduate school matriculation gaps for underrepresented students, little is known about how they are doing this. This study explores this through two in-depth interviews with 12 students who attended a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site in summer 2022 and were enrolled in graduate school as of fall 2023. Ten reported an underrepresented identity. Via mostly informal interactions with faculty and graduate student mentors and program directors, students learned whether graduate school was for them, how to apply, how to identify schools, and more about their own research interests. Findings demonstrate that REU Sites, specifically through informal interactions, play an important role in transmitting the hidden curriculum to undergraduate students interested in postgraduate education.