NSF-REU Summer 2008 Research Program

Faculty Reference Form

 

Please complete the following form and submit it, along with your letter of recommendation, to the address listed at the end of this form.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Lauren Fowler at lfowler@weber.edu

 

Name of Applicant: ___________________________________________________

                                             Last                                                     First                                     MI

 

Name of Recommender: __________________________________________________

                                             Last                                                     First                                     MI

 

               Title:__________________________      Department:____________________

 

               Institution:  ________________________________________________________

 

I.                Acquaintance with Applicant

 

I have known the applicant for a period of ___________ years.

 

List the capacity in which you have known the applicant:  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Do you feel that you know the applicant (check one):

_____Very Well   _____ Moderately Well         _____Somewhat    _____Not Very Well

 

II.              Applicant’s Scholarly Characteristics

Please rate the applicant in comparison with other students whom you have known in similar stages of their academic careers by placing an “X” on one of the lines.

 

                       Truly Exceptional     Outstanding     Excellent     Very Good     Satisfactory          No Basis

                             (Top 1%)              (Top 5%)       (Top 10%)    (Top 25%)    (Lower 75%)      to Judge 

 

Knowledge in Major Field           __________        __________     _________               _________    __________               ________

 

Work Ethic                                  __________      __________     _________               _________    __________               ________

 

Ability to Work Independently    __________         __________     _________               _________    __________               ________

 

Ability to Work as a Member

Of A Research Team                    __________     __________     _________               _________    __________               ________

 

Ability to Get Along

With Others                                 __________      __________     _________               _________    __________               ________

 

Ability to Work Well in

A New Setting                             __________      __________     _________               _________    __________               ________

 

Maturity                                       __________      __________     _________               _________    __________               ________

 

Responsibility                               __________      __________     _________               _________    __________               ________

 

Written Communication Skills     __________         __________     _________               _________    __________               ________

 

Oral Communication Skills          __________        __________     _________               _________    __________               ________

III.            Commitment to Continued Mentorship

The NSF-REU mentors use your recommendation to evaluate the students and to make a choice about who we will work with on this extensive summer research program.  As part of our commitment to excellence, the REU mentors want to continue to work with our students and their home institution mentors to improve the research experience for the students.  As such, it is important to know if you currently serve as a research mentor/advisor for the applicant and if you would serve as a mentor/advisor once they have completed the REU.

 

Do you currently serve as a research mentor/advisor for the applicant?  

                       _____YES                          _____NO

 

If the answer to the above question was YES, would you be willing to continue to mentor/advise the student once they return from the REU?

                       _____YES                          _____NO

 

If the answer to the above question was NO, would you be willing to begin serving as a mentor/advisor to the student once they return from the REU?

                       _____YES                          _____NO

 

If you do not currently serve as a research mentor/advisor to the applicant, please describe the context within which you work with the applicant:

 

 

 

IV.            Letter of Recommendation

Please write a letter of recommendation for the applicant and submit it with this form.  In the letter, please address the qualities in this student that would set them apart from other applicants.  Given the fact that this is an excellent opportunity for undergraduates, why should we select the applicant to participate in this REU?  Comment specifically on the applicant’s strengths and limitations for designing, conducting, and presenting his/her own research program during a 10-week REU.  In addition, please comment on your role as a mentor/advisor, as it pertains to the applicant.  Indicate what role you have played in the past and what role you expect to play once the applicant completes the REU. 

 

 

 

 

Please submit this form and your letter of recommendation to the following address.  You may mail this separately OR give this to the student to mail in with their application materials.  If you choose the latter, please seal the letter and form in an institution envelope and sign across the seal.

 

        Mail to:                Dr. Lauren Fowler

                                      NSF-REU 2008

                                      1202 University Circle

                                      Weber State University

                                      Ogden, UT 84408-1202