Before deciding whether or not to apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) program, you are encouraged to answer for yourself the following questions:
- What topic do you want to research? (While your ideas will inevitably change, having an idea that you would like to research is an important indicator of your intellectual curiosity.)
- What do faculty actually do? (You can conduct informational interviews with some faculty that you know already, to learn about their work and why they chose this career path.)
- What is it like being a graduate student? (Again, talk with graduate students to learn about the experience and how it compares with being a college student.)
Once you have answers to these questions, you need to assess whether or not the life of a graduate student and a member of faculty is right for you. If you decide that it is, you can apply to the Columbia University MMUF program.
Eligibility
Underrepresented minority students and other Columbia University undergraduate students (CC & GS) with a demonstrated commitment to racial diversity are eligible to apply to the Columbia University MMUF program. In addition applicants:
- must be a sophomore in good standing
- typically have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 and above; a semester-to-semester GPA of at least 3.3 and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 is requred.
- must be a student in good academic and disciplinary standing.
- are a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Application Process
- Attend the information session. While not required, attendance is strongly encouraged. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the program, ask questions, and meet current fellows.
- Visit the URF database to access an application.