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"If you have already learned how to function independently in a laboratory environment by the time you graduate from your undergraduate institution, then you are really well-prepared for graduate school." --Chris Burge

For students brave enough to dust off their passports in seeking a Ph.D., the rewards can be great.

Spending some time investigating your interests before starting a Ph.D. will improve the likelihood that you pick a project that keeps your interest over several years.

Whether you are starting classes at a community college or nearing completion of your associate degree, don't forget that many scientists, mathematicians, and engineers started their careers at two-year schools.

Jennifer Zimbroff (pictured above) wanted to understand why qualified high school students, especially minority students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, fail to take advantage of the college opportunities that are available to them.

I hope to inspire established scientists at all institutions to involve more community college students in research projects and to remind these researchers of the tremendous potential many of these students have to influence the future of the scientific community.

Transfer students thrived when we brought them together with successful peers and program alumni to form formal and informal peer networks.

Program goals are to increase the number of American Indian students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in biomedical sciences after transferring to 4-year institutions, and to increase the number of these students participating in biomedical research.

The CIPA grant is part of a program designed to help minority institutions develop science and math curricula while attracting and preparing underrepresented students for careers in STEM.

“Our goal is to begin to influence the new crop of African academics that can then engage with colleagues here to develop long-lived collaborative relationships.”—Michael Adewumi

Like other social psychologists, Clinton-Sherrod is an expert in human social behavior and on how culture affects behavior in social systems.

Your personal statement should clearly express your understanding of what graduate school is about and how the graduate degree will build upon your previous experiences toward the attainment of your career goals.

The case is the latest skirmish in an ongoing battle over federal programs aimed at boosting the tiny percentage of Hispanics, African Americans, and Native Americans in the scientific workforce.

The first step to realizing this vision, says Ridgway, is for students to take a basic geology class and find out what geologists actually do.

As a result of this increased student enrollment, SHPE recently opened an office at the University of Texas at Arlington that is dedicated solely to its student programs.

"RISE wants all students, especially the ones who think they can't do it or aren't sure [about a career in science]." --Robyn Hannigan

The Initiative for Diversity in Education and Leadership (IDEAL) Program provides financial, academic, and emotional support for Bay-area African American, Native American, and Hispanic students during 4 years of undergraduate education at UC Berkeley.

There will be times when you feel like you are being punished for choosing such a tough path, but don't give up. You must trudge along and finish your degree.

Editor's note: MiSciNet's "Dear MentorDoctor" will appear every other month and is designed to help mentors and students with situations that commonly arise in academia. Do you have questions for MiSciNet's MentorDoctor team? Please send inquiries to rarnette@aaas.org.