1. science
2. social science
3. anthropology

NSF MSA REU: Ethiopia
Ethiopia REU Site Program Application
Middle Stone Age Research Experience for Undergraduates (MSA REU)
Department of Anthropology
The University of Texas at Austin
POSTMARK DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: 15 May 2015
Application Instructions:
1. Complete all sections of the student application and the informational section on the top of
each of the recommender forms. Applications should be emailed as a pdf.
2. Be certain to include all required information in the spaces provided and to adhere to specific
space limitations where noted. Please attach undergraduate academic transcripts to the back of
the application form. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
3. Please sign and date the application on page 6.
4. Send the completed application with attached academic transcript(s) (pdfs ok) to:
Middle Stone Age Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
c/o Dr. John Kappelman
Department of Anthropology
The University of Texas at Austin
Department of Anthropology
2201 Speedway, Stop C3200
Austin, TX 78712-1723
Email: MSA_REU@austin.utexas.edu
5. Letters of reference from three recommenders should be submitted by the writers directly to
the Middle Stone Age REU program office at the above email address.
6. The postmark deadline for submission of all materials is 15 May 2015.
Applicant Name __________________________________________
Institution __________________________________________
Academic Department __________________________________________
Year in School (as of 9/1/2015)
Freshman
Citizenship Status (check one)
U.S. Citizen
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Permanent Resident
Other
If Permanent Resident/Other Country of Citizenship __________________
Reference letters requested from:
Name
REU Program Office Use Below
__________________________________
Received (Date ____________________)
__________________________________
Received (Date ____________________)
__________________________________
Received (Date ____________________)
1 NSF MSA REU: Ethiopia
Application
Middle Stone Age Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Department of Anthropology
The University of Texas at Austin
Applicant Name __________________________________________
Institutional Contact Information:
Academic Department
__________________________________________
Institution
__________________________________________
Institution Address
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Telephone
____________________________
Fax
____________________________
E-mail
____________________________
Home Contact Information (during the academic year):
Home Address
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Telephone
____________________________
Fax
____________________________
E-mail
____________________________
Permanent Home Contact Information: Same as above
Home Address
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Telephone
____________________________
Fax
____________________________
E-mail
____________________________
Academic Information:
Academic Major
Degree Objective
Expected Graduation Date
Name of:
Department Chair
or
Major Advisor
__________________________________________
A.A.
A.S.
B.A.
B.S.
Other ________
____________________________ (as mm/yyyy)
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Transcripts
Please attach one copy of undergraduate academic
transcripts to the back of this application. Transfer students
should include transcripts from all undergraduate
institutions attended.
Grade Point Average (GPA):
Overall GPA ________
2 Major GPA ________
NSF MSA REU: Ethiopia
Letters of Reference
Applicants should request letters of reference from three individuals able to comment on the
applicant’s academic background and readiness to participate in a rigorous research experience at
an international site. Typically, recommenders will be university faculty or active researchers in
the field. Each writer should be provided a copy of the reference request form with completed
FERPA waiver section. Recommenders may also find it useful to have a copy of the completed
application. Reference letters should be submitted by the writers directly to the Middle Stone
Age REU program office.
Reference letters requested from:
Name
Affiliation (Department and Institution)
1) _____________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
2) _____________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
3) _____________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
3 NSF MSA REU: Ethiopia
Research Interests
Provide a concise description of your research interests relative to the projects that are available
under the Middle Stone Age REU Program. State how participation in the REU program will
benefit your academic training and how it will further your intended professional career. (Limit
your narrative answer to one page.)
4 NSF MSA REU: Ethiopia
Previous Research Experience
Describe any previous research experience, and note its relevance to the REU Program theme.
State explicitly whether the work you describe was part of an undergraduate independent study
or honors project, another REU experience, or a research experience acquired through
employment. Do not list organized laboratory coursework at your university, but do be certain
that laboratory courses are clearly identified on your transcript(s).
5 NSF MSA REU: Ethiopia
Foreign Language(s)
Complete the following table regarding your foreign language training and competence.
Language
__________________
__________________
__________________
Proficiency (Excellent, Good, Fair)
Reading
Writing
Speaking
__________ __________ __________
__________ __________ __________
__________ __________ __________
Years of Study
___
___
___
List your previous international travel experience in table below.
Country Year(s) Duration Purpose
How did you learn about this program? Please be a specific as possible (e.g., advertisement
through a specific professional society, announcement through a faculty mentor or student club
at your school, recommendation from former participant, etc.).
Applicant Certification and Signature:
I certify that the information provided in this application to the Middle Stone Age REU Program
is correct and true to the best of my knowledge.
Applicant’s Signature
_______________________________________
Date
_________________________
6 NSF MSA REU: Ethiopia
Reference Request Form
Middle Stone Age Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Department of Anthropology
The University of Texas at Austin
POSTMARK DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: 1 June 2015
Applicant Name _______________________________________________________
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA; 34 C.F.R. Part 99) provides rights and
protections regarding the disclosure of records held by educational institutions. These rights and
protections apply to documents, files and materials in whatever medium, which contain information
related directly to a student and from which a student can be individually identified. By signing the
waiver statement below, I waive my right to inspect under FERPA the reference letter solicited herewith.
This waiver applies to all future holders of the solicited letter.
I waive my right of access to this reference letter.
_________________________________________________
(Applicant: printed or typed)
_________________________________________________
(Applicant signature)
OR
___________________
(Date)
I do not waive my right of access to this reference letter. (If waiver statement is unsigned, the student
is specifically reserved the right of access to this reference letter.)
_________________________________________________
(Applicant: printed or typed)
_________________________________________________
(Applicant signature)
___________________
(Date)
Recommender Instructions:
1. Please read and complete this reference request form, supplying the information requested below. If
you wish to use your own institutional stationery, please attach this completed form to your letter.
2. Please sign and date the reference report where indicated.
3. Please transmit completed form, together with your reference report:
BY MAIL TO:
OR, FAX TO: 512-471-6535
Middle Stone Age Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
c/o Dr. John Kappelman
Department of Anthropology
The University of Texas at Austin
Department of Anthropology
2201 Speedway, Stop C3200
Austin, TX 78712-1723
OR, E-MAIL TO: MSA_REU@austin.utexas.edu
4. The postmark deadline for submission of all materials is 1 June 2015.
7 NSF MSA REU: Ethiopia
Reference Report
Middle Stone Age Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Department of Anthropology
The University of Texas at Austin
Recommender’s Name _________________________________________
Department _________________________________________
Institution _________________________________________
Address _________________________________________
_________________________________________
Telephone ____________________________
Fax ____________________________
E-mail ____________________________
How long, and in what capacity, have you known the applicant?
In specific terms, explain how participation in the Middle Stone Age REU Program will benefit
the applicant in pursuit of his/her academic and professional careers. What unique approaches,
opportunities, or skills will the applicant obtain through program participation?
Describe the applicant’s potential for academic and professional achievement. Specifically,
please comment on the applicant’s readiness to conduct scholarly research at an international site
under this REU program.
I rank this applicant in the top ______ % of undergraduate students I have known.
You are welcome to append a letter that details the above or other information that you feel will
be important to the Program’s consideration of the applicant.
Please check one of the two statements below. (The Middle Stone Age REU program will honor
your request to the extent permitted by law.)
My identity and this report must be held in confidence.
This report may be released to the applicant upon his/her request.
Recommender’s Name (printed or typed) _______________________________________
Recommender’s Signature
_______________________________________
Date _________________________
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