Science Research

Alexis Trench
Alexis Trench

Participating in research experiences as an undergraduate is an excellent way to add depth to your science understanding and actively engage with what you are learning in the classroom. By doing so, you further develop your laboratory, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and you start to build your network with faculty members. Research experiences are valuable components to your resume, and they can make you more competitive for both graduate school and industry opportunities.

Undergraduate Research Fellowships

Caitlin Roberts-Donovan
Caitlin Roberts-Donovan

This page is a resource for students looking for fellowships to support undergraduate research (you can also check out our resource on language and study abroad). 

Market Research and Development

Casey Hurley
Casey Hurley

Market researchers work to understand what drives people to buy Cheerios, Chevrolets, and chimichangas.

Biomedical Research and Health Internships

Lorraine
Lorraine Hanley ’98

Developed to expose our pre-health students to professional research opportunities, the Biomedical Research Internships provide an opportunity for students to learn skills related to research in healthcare today. Interns work with a mentor to conduct basic research in a laboratory or to contribute to the development of a research effort. Interns are expected to become familiar with the research approaches used by their mentors. At the mentor’s discretion, students may: develop a specific project within the research team; have shadowing opportunities with a health professional; and interact with patients and their families through volunteer experiences.

How to Conduct Career Research

ACE
Advisors for Career Exploration

Regardless of where you are in your career — whether you are unsure where to begin or you are preparing for a final round interview — conducting research can help you learn more about and prepare for potential career opportunities. There are many ways to gather information when you’re in the beginning stages of exploring your options, including career research and networking. In this resource, you’ll find ideas and general resources to get started.

Gaining Research Experience for Health Professions Schools

Cindy
Cindy Seltzer, Ed.D., MBA

Got a question you want to try to answer, or an idea to explore?  Having a research experience can teach you skills of academic inquiry beyond what you can learn in the classroom. It is an opportunity to be curious, inventive, and creative. It will allow you to engage in a particular subject in great detail. If you enjoy the experience, you may want to consider making research a part of your career planning.

“I’m glad I decided to pursue Fulbright. It gave me an opportunity to share my unique experience as an immigrant and first-generation college student, not only with my Chinese colleagues, but also with other international students at Northwest University, who rarely meet Chinese Americans.“ 

“I previously had dreams to be an author, but found myself called by the combination of logic, mystery, and truth in science.”

National Institutes of Standards & Technology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (NIST SURF) (students)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) at NIST laboratories in Gaithersburg, MD; Boulder, CO; and Waimanalo, Hawaii. The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship is designed to inspire undergraduate students to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) through a unique research experience that supports the NIST mission.  Eligible are currently enrolled undergraduates who are US citizens or permanent residents, majoring in chemistry, computer science, physics, engineering, materials science, fire research, nanotechnology, information technology, mathematics, biology, manufacturing, statistics, or another STEM discipline.

“You will always have access to [Career Education]. Keep using them, keep checking in with them afterward, because the Wellesley community is always willing to help.”

“I’ve learned that at its core, medicine is all about creating an environment where relationships can be fostered and grown.”

“Listen to your heart and use your head. Math and science ignited my imagination for as far back as I can remember.”

Graduate School Preparation Mini-Grants

Wellesley Career Education logo
Wellesley Career Education

The Graduate/Professional School Preparation Fund, funded by a generous grant from the Wellesley Students’ Aid Society, is intended to help current Wellesley students with expenses related to graduate or professional school preparation. 

Schimke and Shackford Graduate Fellowships (women graduates of any US institution)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

Wellesley College offers a number of fellowships and scholarships for graduate study or research open to seniors and graduates of Wellesley. Two of these awards are also open to women graduates of any American institution. The Mary McEwen Schimke Scholarship is a supplemental award to provide relief from household and child care expenses while pursuing graduate study, and the M.A. Cartland Shackford Medical Fellowship is for the study of medicine with a view to general practice, not psychiatry.

    "I reached out to several Wellesley alums and former Pickering/Rangel recipients to help me prepare for the finalist interviews and essays. If I can give advice to anyone wanting to apply for this fellowship in the future it is to do the same thing! I couldn’t have done this without their guidance and encouragement."

    "I'm excited by the unknown. I'm not sure where I'll be or who I'll meet at these embassies, but I'm looking forward to the new experiences!"

    Financing Your Graduate School Education

    Wellesley Career Education logo
    Wellesley Career Education

    Everyone will specific questions regarding their financial situation and how it impacts the entire application and funding process. This resource provides information to help you project costs and possible methods of funding including loans, school-based aid, PhD specifics, outside funding, fellowships, and scholarships.