The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) is an intensive summer-research experience for undergraduate students who are interested in attending graduate school. SROP has been a program at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities for more than 30 years. It counts 610 of its more than 16,000 alumni as PhD recipients, with more than 3,000 others pursuing nonacademic careers after receiving another type of graduate training (B1G Academic Alliance 2018, 4). SROP is purposefully geared toward increasing the number of prepared underrepresented students in graduate programs, including first-generation college students and low-income undergraduates. Students are placed with faculty research mentors for 8 to 10 weeks during the summer and they receive extensive training separately through SROP workshops. One-on-one research-mentoring and group-oriented workshops provide participants with a preview of graduate school before they apply. Not only does the experience prepare many students for graduate school, it also helps others decide whether graduate school is the right choice. Spending a summer on campus often creates a relationship between the student and the program that helps faculty mentors compete for the best students later. SROP is one of the most transformative graduate partnerships in our department’s history.
Jamil’s Narrative
From my own experience, I can speak to the impact of conducting research as an undergraduate student on the pursuit of graduate education. In the summer of 2012, I participated in the Michigan State University (MSU) SROP. That summer was important not only because I was able to engage in a research project that I found interesting, but also because it laid the foundation for establishing a community at MSU. As a first-generation black college student, community was extremely important for my journey through graduate school, and it was integral to my decision to attend MSU for my doctoral degree.
The emphasis on the learning community, meaningful exchanges of ideas, and social support was essential to my experience in SROP. It was because I had this structure as an undergraduate student that I could see the value of continuing my education at the institution. Furthermore, the SROP experience informed how I continued to be socialized as a graduate student at MSU because I was able to build meaningful relationships with faculty and peers before I started at the institution. This community sustained me through the completion of my graduate degree.
Kesicia’s Narrative
My path to graduate school is a testament to the importance of undergraduate research experiences. I participated in SROP at MSU during the summer of 2016. Like many first-generation students of color, I was concerned that I did not have the right background to do well in graduate school; SROP was the ultimate test for my future. Working to meet deadlines was initially a challenge; however, deadlines and the heavy workload forced me to develop effective time- and self-management skills.
During SROP, we frequently participated in activities with graduate students of color. These encounters exposed me to the importance of a learning community and gave me the opportunity to foster relationships that have continued to support me as a graduate student.
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of SROP was the help I received on graduate-school application materials. Faculty and program facilitators edited my personal and research statements. They also shared tips on how to obtain good letters of recommendation. When it was time to apply to graduate programs, I was confident and excited rather than nervous and doubtful.
Undergraduate research experiences increase the likelihood of students’ acceptance into graduate school (Crawford et al. Reference Crawford, Suarez-Balcazar, Reich, Figert and Nyden1996). By the end of the summer, I had received GRE test prep, writing-sample revisions, and tips for approaching faculty with whom I was interested in working. I also had established a community of support. SROP fully prepared me for graduate education and equipped me with skills to build networks with scholars across the discipline. I have completed two years of graduate study and will take my comprehensive exams in the summer of 2019. I will graduate with my PhD in 2022.
How Can Departments Take Advantage of These Programs?
Undergraduate research experiences can transform the discipline’s demographics and create opportunities for students to be actively engaged in the learning process. However, there must be structure to the experience and institutional backing that creates a thriving learning community. Programs such as SROP not only provide a research experience, they also offer specific workshops geared toward preparing for graduate school and success in the field (Hurtado et al. Reference Hurtado, Cabrera, Lin, Arellano and Espinosa2009). Students gain not only disciplinary knowledge and skill development but also GRE preparation, opportunities to present research, and professionalization training. The essential features of an undergraduate research experience include mentoring and learning-community support, designing and conducting independent research, and the opportunity to communicate research findings in a professional setting (Lopatto Reference Lopatto2003).
Undergraduate research programs require an active commitment on behalf of a hosting department. Faculty must meaningfully engage students in research and commit to considering those who come through these programs as viable applicants. Moreover, providing incentives such as resources and recognition for faculty who engage in research-mentoring relationships with students also is crucial. Although students can and do create their own community, having a structured program that provides social support and financial resources can make all the difference for student–mentor experiences at an institution.
SROP is transforming the political science department at MSU. However, this type of program cannot be successful without dedicated faculty and a university willing to provide the institutional support needed to help students flourish once they are on campus.
