Resources
UR2PhD strives to make as many of our resources available to undergraduate students as possible.
The materials created for the Computing Research Association’s UR2PhD Program are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit here.
Undergraduate Student Research Training Course Materials and Resources
Funding Opportunities
REU FUNDING: Students who successfully complete the UR2PhD undergraduate research training course and wish to continue with research activities are eligible to apply for up to $8K in REU funding. To learn more about this opportunity, review the REU Funding page. To apply for funding, please submit this form: https://cra.jotform.com/243166491626865
TECHNICAL CONFERENCE TRAVEL FUNDING: Students who successfully complete the UR2PhD undergraduate research training course and continue with research activities are eligible for travel funding to present their research. To apply for funding, please submit this form: https://cra.jotform.com/243115304588859
(Student Pathways into Research in Computing) is a website maintained by CRA’s Education Committee that is full of guidance and student stories to help you navigate your way to computing research.
Past Workshop Recordings
View our past workshop recordings
PhD Admissions Advice
Navigating the path to a PhD can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding the admissions process and what programs are looking for. That’s why Casey Fiesler, Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, has dedicated herself to demystifying this journey. Through her insightful and widely-viewed video series, she provides invaluable guidance on everything from deciding if a PhD is the right path for you to crafting a standout application and succeeding in graduate school.
Whether you’re just starting to explore PhD programs or preparing to apply, Casey’s advice can help you approach the process with clarity and confidence. Below, you’ll find a summary of her key guidance, as well as links to some of her most popular videos. You can also read a summary of her guidance in this article.
Deciding Whether to Pursue a PhD
- What to do as an undergrad if you want a PhD
- Should You Get a PhD??? | Reasons to Apply to PhD Programs (OR NOT)
- What is a PhD Program Like? | Milestones & Timelines
- How much does a PhD cost? | How PhD funding works!
- How Do You Become a College Professor?
Admissions Process Tips – Applying
- Deciding where to apply for a PhD? | Choosing the right PhD programs for applications!
- PhD Application Tips! | Advice for Applying to PhD Programs
- Grad School Application Frequently Asked Questions… from TikTok
- Letters of recommendation for graduate school | How to ask for an LOR
- How to Write an Academic CV + Example CVs
- PhD Interview Questions | What do PhD supervisors look for in applicants?
- PhD Admissions Visit | What To Do on a PhD Interview
- PhD Interview Questions | What do PhD supervisors look for in applicants?
- 5 Things to Do in a Statement of Purpose for PhD/Grad School | PhD SOP + an example (mine!)
- Reasons PhD applicants are rejected | Advice for a successful PhD application
Admissions Process Tips – Decisions and Beyond
- Your PhD Admissions Decision | Choosing a PhD Program
- PhD Application Rejection: What Next?
- What to do the summer before you start a PhD
- Advice for New PhD Students | How to Succeed in Graduate School!
- Dissertation proposal tips! | How to write a thesis proposal
- Contacting Potential PhD Advisors / Supervisors
- Making the Most of Grad School Classes
- Dealing with Academic Failure and Rejection
- How does peer review work? | Demystifying peer review to help with reviewing and writing!
UR2PhD: Undergraduate Research Methods Course by Computing Research Association’s UR2PhD Program. This work, “UR2PhD Undergraduate Research Methods Course”, is adapted from “Early Research Scholars Program” by Christine Alvarado, UC San Diego, used under CC BY 4.0. “UR2PhD Undergraduate Research Scholars” is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the Computing Research Association’s UR2PhD Program and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
UR2PhD: Graduate Student Mentor Training Course by Computing Research Association’s UR2PhD Program is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
