Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long is the UCSP?
A: The UCSP is 9 weeks in duration. For the summer of 2021, the program will begin Thursday, June 3, 2021 and end Friday, July 30, 2021.
Q: May I have the transcript faxed to you?
A: No, as a faxed copy is an unofficial transcript. The USCP application requires an official transcript.
Q: Can I email a copy of my official transcript?
A: In order to be considered an official transcript, a transcript must come from the Registrar's Office. Some universities offer an option to directly email transcripts to ucsppenn@gmail.com or ucsp@pennmedicine.upenn.edu. Transcripts sent through email will be accepted as an official transcript provided that it comes directly from a university. Transcripts sent as PDF files from individual applicants will not be accepted. Other acceptable means of submitting your official transcript include having your Registrar's Office directly mail the transcript to our mailing address or receiving a sealed and signed envelope from the Registrar's Office and mailing it to our address.
Q: I have attended multiple colleges/universities; do I need to send a transcript from each school, or just the one I am currently attending?
A: We must receive an official transcript from each college and/or university you have attended in addition to the one(s) you are currently attending. If you took college courses as a high school student through a dual-enrollment program, we require an official transcript from that college as well.
Q: Do I have to send the different components of the application materials separately, or is it acceptable if I mail them all in one envelope?
A: Application materials other than the transcript and letter of recommendation must be submitted directly through the program website. You may mail the supporting application materials separately or in one envelope. If you elect to send all the supporting components of the application at the same time, each transcript and letter of recommendation must be in separate, sealed envelopes. Additionally, letters of recommendation should be signed across the seal by the person writing the letter.
Q: How many letters of recommendation do I need to send?
A: A minimum of one letter of recommendation written by a dean or professor from your college is required. If you have prior research experience, you must also include at least one letter from a prior research mentor.
Q: Will you accept applications that arrive after the deadline but are postmarked beforehand?
A: As long as the application has been submitted via the program website prior to the deadline, all supporting materials will be accepted if postmarked by or on the deadline.
Q: How will I know when all of my application materials are received?
A: Once your application is completed, you will be sent a confirmation email. Reminder notifications will be sent out one week prior to the deadline to let students know of partial applications. Please realize that in order to be contacted about a partial application, a student must have at least submitted an application a week before the deadline in order to receive the notification.
Q: When will I hear about an interview?
A: Notifications about interviews are typically sent out mid/late March through early April. Depending on the number of applications and the results of the interviews, this time frame may be extended.
Q: If my application is not accepted this year, may I apply again next year?
A: Absolutely; we encourage all students to re-apply the following year if they were not successful in the current year.
Q: Am I allowed to participate in the UCSP for more than one year?
A: Certainly; participation for a second year is allowed.
Q: I participated in the UCSP last year and want to participate again this year. Do I have to reapply to the program?
A: All former UCSP students looking to take part in the program for a second year must resubmit a full application before the deadline. We highly recommend you have your former mentor submit a letter expressing their interest in having you work in their lab again this summer.
Q: Can I pick the research mentor with whom I will work and/or the project I will work on?
A: Unfortunately, due to limitations of mentors and available projects, we cannot allow students to select their mentor and/or project. If you have a specific area of interest, you should highlight this in your application, and we will make every effort to address this in your assignment. The specific research project assigned will be determined by the student’s research mentor.
Q: Would I be able to continue working with my research mentor after the summer is over?
A: We encourage students to discuss continued involvement with their research mentor after program completion.
Q: Is housing and food provided for students?
A: Students are required to find housing on their own. The program is happy to provide assistance with this if necessary. In past years, participants have often found housing together or used Pennlets (pennlets.com), a website where current UPenn students leaving for the summer sublease their apartments. Students are provided with a stipend which can be used for food, but meals will also be provided at every lecture.
Q: When are students provided the stipend?
A: Students are paid bi-monthly at the end of June and August. If additional assistance is required before the end of June, please contact the program administrator.
Q: Are students guaranteed publication of their research projects once completed?
A: Publications are not guaranteed but both program administrators and mentors are highly motivated to work with students who are seeking publication.
A: The UCSP is 9 weeks in duration. For the summer of 2021, the program will begin Thursday, June 3, 2021 and end Friday, July 30, 2021.
Q: May I have the transcript faxed to you?
A: No, as a faxed copy is an unofficial transcript. The USCP application requires an official transcript.
Q: Can I email a copy of my official transcript?
A: In order to be considered an official transcript, a transcript must come from the Registrar's Office. Some universities offer an option to directly email transcripts to ucsppenn@gmail.com or ucsp@pennmedicine.upenn.edu. Transcripts sent through email will be accepted as an official transcript provided that it comes directly from a university. Transcripts sent as PDF files from individual applicants will not be accepted. Other acceptable means of submitting your official transcript include having your Registrar's Office directly mail the transcript to our mailing address or receiving a sealed and signed envelope from the Registrar's Office and mailing it to our address.
Q: I have attended multiple colleges/universities; do I need to send a transcript from each school, or just the one I am currently attending?
A: We must receive an official transcript from each college and/or university you have attended in addition to the one(s) you are currently attending. If you took college courses as a high school student through a dual-enrollment program, we require an official transcript from that college as well.
Q: Do I have to send the different components of the application materials separately, or is it acceptable if I mail them all in one envelope?
A: Application materials other than the transcript and letter of recommendation must be submitted directly through the program website. You may mail the supporting application materials separately or in one envelope. If you elect to send all the supporting components of the application at the same time, each transcript and letter of recommendation must be in separate, sealed envelopes. Additionally, letters of recommendation should be signed across the seal by the person writing the letter.
Q: How many letters of recommendation do I need to send?
A: A minimum of one letter of recommendation written by a dean or professor from your college is required. If you have prior research experience, you must also include at least one letter from a prior research mentor.
Q: Will you accept applications that arrive after the deadline but are postmarked beforehand?
A: As long as the application has been submitted via the program website prior to the deadline, all supporting materials will be accepted if postmarked by or on the deadline.
Q: How will I know when all of my application materials are received?
A: Once your application is completed, you will be sent a confirmation email. Reminder notifications will be sent out one week prior to the deadline to let students know of partial applications. Please realize that in order to be contacted about a partial application, a student must have at least submitted an application a week before the deadline in order to receive the notification.
Q: When will I hear about an interview?
A: Notifications about interviews are typically sent out mid/late March through early April. Depending on the number of applications and the results of the interviews, this time frame may be extended.
Q: If my application is not accepted this year, may I apply again next year?
A: Absolutely; we encourage all students to re-apply the following year if they were not successful in the current year.
Q: Am I allowed to participate in the UCSP for more than one year?
A: Certainly; participation for a second year is allowed.
Q: I participated in the UCSP last year and want to participate again this year. Do I have to reapply to the program?
A: All former UCSP students looking to take part in the program for a second year must resubmit a full application before the deadline. We highly recommend you have your former mentor submit a letter expressing their interest in having you work in their lab again this summer.
Q: Can I pick the research mentor with whom I will work and/or the project I will work on?
A: Unfortunately, due to limitations of mentors and available projects, we cannot allow students to select their mentor and/or project. If you have a specific area of interest, you should highlight this in your application, and we will make every effort to address this in your assignment. The specific research project assigned will be determined by the student’s research mentor.
Q: Would I be able to continue working with my research mentor after the summer is over?
A: We encourage students to discuss continued involvement with their research mentor after program completion.
Q: Is housing and food provided for students?
A: Students are required to find housing on their own. The program is happy to provide assistance with this if necessary. In past years, participants have often found housing together or used Pennlets (pennlets.com), a website where current UPenn students leaving for the summer sublease their apartments. Students are provided with a stipend which can be used for food, but meals will also be provided at every lecture.
Q: When are students provided the stipend?
A: Students are paid bi-monthly at the end of June and August. If additional assistance is required before the end of June, please contact the program administrator.
Q: Are students guaranteed publication of their research projects once completed?
A: Publications are not guaranteed but both program administrators and mentors are highly motivated to work with students who are seeking publication.
