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2010 REU Application Instructions PDF Print E-mail

ARTSI 2010 REU Program

The Application Deadline Has Passed

First step:

Meet with your professor to discuss your interest in the REU program and what labs would be appropriate for you. The list of labs appears on the main Summer REU Program page. Your professor will need to write a letter of recomendation for you, so it's important to discuss your plans with them.

Also put together a list of your relevant skills. Can you program in Java? C++? Python? Do you have basic electronics skills like soldering? Do you have previous experience working with robots? Which robots, and what did you do?  Have you done research before? If yes, describe your prior research experience: who you were working with, what you were working on, and what results you achieved/

Second step:

Write a brief essay (a few paragraphs is enough but you can make it longer if you wish) explaining:

  • why you want to do a summer research internship in robotics
  • what aspects of robotics particularly interest you
  • your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice of labs, and
  •  why you are choosing those labs.

Have your professor read over your essay and your skills inventory and give you feedback to help polish them.

Third step:

Email your application materials to Dave Touretzky ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) by March 1, 2010.

Your application must contain the following:

  1. Your essay.
  2. Your skills inventory.
  3. A current transcript (unofficial transcripts are okay).
  4. A letter of recommendation from an ARTSI faculty member. Letters should be emailed directly to Dave Touretzky ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) by March 1, 2010.


Sample Student Essay

I am applying to the ARTSI REU progrram because I am planning to go on to graduate school in computer science, and I think I would like to pursue a career in robotics,  Doing a internship this summer will give me a chance to see what robotics research is like. I'm particularly interested in healthcare applications, such as companion robots for elderly or disabled persons. I would therefore like to work in a lab that focuses on assistive robotics or human-robot interaction. I had a chance to see the Paro robot baby seal at a robotics conference, and think this kind of robotic companion offers great opportunities for research. I was also impressed by videos I've seen of robots helping to lift patients in a hospital or nursing home setting.

My first choice for this summer is Professor  X's lab because ... (fill in details) ... My second choice is Professor Y's lab because ...