RE@CSU

Frequently Asked Questions

^When is the application deadline?

^Can I apply if I go to a community college?

^What do I need to do to apply?

^What are the requirements to be accepted?

^Can I apply if I am an International student with an F1 Student Visa?

^Can I apply if I am a graduate student?

^What majors are eligible for the program?

^What year in school do I need to be to apply?

^When will I find out if I am accepted?

^What should I write in my personal statement?

^How will I get to Cleveland?

^Where will I live?

^Do I have to live in the dorm?

^Can I receive course credit for participating?

When is the application deadline? March 1, 2023.

Can I apply if I go to a community college? Yes, we encourage students attending a community college to apply.

What do I need to do to apply? You will need to fill out our online application, have two faculty members send recommendation letters on your behalf, and submit your unofficial transcripts, a resume, and a personal statement.

What are the requirements to be accepted? The only hard requirements are that you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and that you will be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in the fall of 2023.  Of course lots of students who meet these requirements will not be accepted.  We will select a group of students with a strong potential to do well in the program and whose interests match well with the interests of the faculty mentors.

Can I apply if I am an international student with an F1 student visa? No.

Can I apply if I am a graduate student? No.

What majors are eligible for the program? We welcome applications from all students majoring in or planning to major in engineering, computer science, math, or the sciences.  We anticipate that most applicants will be from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, or computer science. 

What year in school do I need to be to apply? Any student planning to enroll in an undergraduate program in Fall 2023 is eligible to apply.  This includes high school students graduating this spring.  It does not include college students graduating this spring. 

When will I find out if I am accepted? April 1, 2023

What should I write in my application statements? There are three statements to write:

  • A general personal statement about how an REU program fits into your goals.
  • A statement responding to this question: "Why are you interested in this particular REU program in Rehabilitation Engineering?"  We encourage you to discuss any experience you have working with people with disabilities.  This might include your experiences as a person with a disability, your experiences with a family member or friend with a disability, or any volunteer or work experiences with people with disabilities.
  • A statement responding to this question: "Outside of your academic qualifications, what makes you a unique candidate who will benefit from this summer experience?  Please describe who you are beyond your academic qualifications."  We typically have hundreds of applicants with high GPAs and strong technical skills.  However, we often accept talented students who have not yet developed these skills because they have unique perspectives and can potentially benefit significantly from the program. 

How will I get to Cleveland? If you will fly, you will book your flight through CSU's travel agent, and the RE @ CSU program will pay for your flight.  If you drive, we will reimburse you for mileage.

Where will I live? You will share a bedroom and bathroom in a dormitory on CSU's campus with another student in the program.  You and your roommate will also share a common room and kitchenette with two other students in the program.  See here for more dorm information.

Do I have to live in the dorm? Yes.  We want all the students to live together and form a strong community.  Even if you are local to Cleveland you must live in the dorm.

Can I receive course credit for participating? Unfortunately no.  The program will certainly give you skills that will prepare you for your future courses and for graduate school.