Gaining Assurance for Graduate School

Do you want to see if graduate school is right for you? Maybe gain some critical research skills to strengthen your resume? How about a change of scenery for the sake of academic networking? The Academic Summer Undergraduate Research Experience colloquially referred to by its acronym, ASURE, is an undergraduate research program sponsored by the Dartmouth Graduate Studies Office that satisfies all of the above.

Since 2012, the ASURE program has provided students with the guidance of an Ivy League research mentor in scenic Hanover, NH. ASURE is an 8-week long program beginning in mid-June that also provides students with stipends, travel expenses, and housing.

Eileen Martinez participated in the ASURE program in 2012 and is now in the second year of her PhD at Dartmouth studying Parkinson’s Disease in a Neuroscience laboratory. “Being in the ASURE program is what led me to want to do medical research and come to Dartmouth for my PhD,” Martinez says, “I got to meet a lot of graduate students and gained a huge insight into what it was like to be not only a graduate student but specifically a graduate student here at Dartmouth.  Working in a biomedical research lab was the best part of the summer for me; I learned a great deal and had amazing mentorship.”

A paid summer research experience with the guidance of gifted mentors is an incredible opportunity to have as an undergraduate. At Dartmouth, the program training focuses on academic research, networking, mentoring, and GRE preparation to provide students with the skills necessary for successful graduate research training and beyond. Importantly, the training builds upon what students have learned in their undergraduate classes and applies these academic skills to address novel research questions.

ASURE program director and Assistant Dean of Diversity and Recruiting, Jane Seibel tells us “We look forward each year to welcoming our ASURE students to campus for the 8 weeks in the summer.  Not only is this a valuable experience for the students but it is a great way for us to meet prospective students and to introduce them to our campus and the wonderful research happening on the Dartmouth campus.”

Stephanie Kabeche (University of Miami) was an ASURE participant this past summer who recognized the opportunity and explained why she selected Dartmouth, “I applied to the ASURE program and specifically Dartmouth knowing I wanted to perform research at an innovative, leading research institution. Working in Jason McLellan’s lab allowed me to have a real experience of what graduate school might be like and it expanded my scientific knowledge.”

While the ASURE experience is mostly focused on academic development, there are also social events that connect the ASURE community. That is, the area surrounding Dartmouth has a lot to offer students with numerous lakes and rivers, farmer’s markets, and hiking throughout parts of the Appalachian Trail. Martinez described her social experience by saying, “I had an enormous amount of fun just exploring the area around Dartmouth with my fellow ASURE students!”

ASURE again hopes to identify talented undergraduate students during the 2016 summer experience. Prospective applicants are encouraged to apply beginning November 1st and applications are accepted until February 1st.