Application Tips for Students
Application cycle for 2024-25 is now complete
Info Session Recording & Content
We've posted video recordings of relevant information from the Info Session on this page to share the content with those of you who could not attend the workshop or those who would like to revisit the information. If you have any questions, please reach out to STEM_Routes@colorado.edu.
The Purpose of the Info Session
The first session is a strategic summary and exploration of what kinds of characteristics you want to highlight about yourself on the Uplift application. As you begin applying to internships and jobs, you'll need to hone in on your personal story or narrative to contextualize your skills within the larger story of your achievements and goals. In this workshop, Evan Ferg from the Career Center will discuss how to work through your skills and determine which aspects you should highlight or focus on. The questions Evan poses are useful for Uplift but also for your future applications as well. By working through the proposed questions, you'll set a strong foundation for crafting compelling answers for the application's short answer questions.
What We Look For in an Uplift Application
The Uplift Research Program is designed for students who have never done research before. For this reason, we do not have any traditional requirements like GPA, coursework, or experience. We're looking for motivated students who are willing to do difficult things, who are deeply curious about science, and who want to use their knowledge to serve their families, peers, and communities. The Uplift application asks several short-answer questions to get to know you and determine if this program is the right fit for your career path. Here's what we look for in an ideal candidate:
We've all done difficult things in our lives, the important part is what you learn from those challenges. Take a step back and tell us about how you reframed a difficult experience to contribute to your growth as an individual. An excellent candidate can demonstrate that they learn and grow from challenges and that they can do so quickly.
Help us understand why you're applying for this program! We know that research looks good on a resumé. We know you're getting paid for this program. Pretend that those benefits don't exist. Would you still sign up to do science? What makes the substance of science compelling? Why hasn't coursework alone scratched your itch for science? Excellent candidates for Uplift convey a strong, intrinsic interest in studying science to understand the world, find solutions that make life easier, or serve members of their community.
You can't do science in a bubble! Just as important as your research is leveraging your science to serve people you care about. How does your interest in this program enable you to help people in your community? Our favorite Uplift applicants use this opportunity to tell us about an idea they have to expose their community to science (like building a telescope in their hometown) or a barrier they want to use science to address (like being a translator at doctor's appointments for people who do not speak English as their first language).
Meet Evan
Many students have a lot of questions about Uplift and how to stand out as a candidate. In fact, developing an application for Uplift also helps you create a personal narrative that you can use in building your LinkedIn profile, writing cover letters for future opportunities, or practicing your interview skills. It's difficult to recognize what fits into your story (especially this early in your professional career)! For this reason, we've invited Evan Ferg from the Career Center to host 2 workshops to support you in crafting your personal story for the Uplift application and beyond!
Session Overview
In this content, Evan will guide you through:
- Exploring strengths
- What content comes naturally to you and how to talk about them
- Exploring how to talk about our skills
- Foundational Skills and why they are important
- Showing how we are unique
- Because YOU are the most important part!
- What can I bring AND take away from this opportunity?
Strengths
Strengths come naturally to us. Think about how this comes out in your life. Answer the questions below:
What type of homework takes me the "least" amount of time to do? What kind of concepts can I easily explain to friends or family?
Skills
Skills helps us describe what we can contribute professionally. They are gathered through experiences, whether we like, dislike, or don't do them professionally.
What skills could you bring to the Uplift Program? (refer to the 10 Foundational Skills if you feel stuck!) Why do you think your skills will be beneficial within a research setting?
What counts as experience?
Anything counts as experience if you present it the right way! I've seen a resumé built around D&D. The individual spoke to their meeting weekly with a team of collaborators to creatively solve problems and explore environments. Remember, this program is designed for students who have never done research before, so we don't expect you to have experience. Tell us the ways in which you handle challenges or complex situations in your everyday life.
Why are you unique?
Why do your background and future goals make you a competitive applicant for Uplift? Uplift is looking for individuals who are driven and excited to pursue research. Why is this you? Describe the ways you would benefit from being a part of this program. Elaborate on how it would help you grow as a holistic professional and dedicated community member.