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Student & Campus Life

Policies and Instructions

Overview of Membership Requirements

  • Scholars are expected to maintain active engagement in research throughout their undergraduate years.

Annual Requirements

  • Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
  • Conduct research at least 6 hours/week each semester (starting spring of freshman year, unless on approved hiatus, off-campus program, or leave).
    • Students having issues finding a faculty mentor by their second semester of their freshman year should contact the RCPRS Program Director for assistance.
  • Submit all forms, plans, and funding requests on time.
  • Obtain approval before incurring research expenses.
  • Present research when possible.
  • Complete an annual review each spring.
  • Maintain communication with program staff.
  • Meet promptly with program staff if experiencing difficulty meeting requirements.

Year-Specific Requirements

First-Year and New Upper-Class Selected Students

  • Attend all required colloquium sessions in the Fall and Spring semesters of the first year in the RCPRS program.
  • Complete all readings and assignments in the RCPRS Colloquium canvas course. If you do not have access to this canvas course, contact the RCPRS Program Director.
  • Complete all required RCPRS program forms by the assigned deadline. Details will be communicated in the weekly RCPRS newsletter that is sent to your Cornell email address. 

Sophomore & Junior Years

  • Submit research plan when changing faculty mentors.
  • Submit a Research For Credit or Research For Wages form each semester by either October 1st (each Fall semester) or March 1st (each Spring Semester).
  • Complete one summer of full-time research (on- or off-campus).
  • Present research at academic conferences when you and your faculty mentor feel the project is ready.

Senior Year

  • Continue to submit Research For Credit or Research For Wages forms each semester.
  • Present an academic poster (or disciplinary equivalent) at the RCPRS Senior Expo.
  • Complete a senior honors thesis (strongly encouraged).
  • Attend the RCPRS Graduation Ceremony.

All Four Years

  • Uphold the standards and ideals of the RCPRS program, which include, but are not limited to; full IRB compliance, and compliance with the disciplinary specific codes of research ethics.

Poster Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours are students expected to engage in research?
As a baseline, students should be expected to conduct research for academic credit or for wages around 6-10 hours per week.

How soon are new students expected to engage in research?
First year students are not required to do research during their first semester. They are, however, required to participate in the year-long RCPRS Colloquium. New upper-class students are expected to attend RCPRS Colloquium and begin research by October 1st of their first year in the program.

First year students are encouraged to engage in research/secure a faculty mentor by their spring semester. However, they have until the fall semester of their sophomore year to submit the required forms (Research For Wages or Research For Credit form and the Research Plan form). 

What if I am having trouble securing a research opportunity? 
Students are responsible for finding a faculty mentor. Colloquium provides opportunities to get started, such as during the Faculty Networking Dinner and through the other colloquium assignments. Students should speak with faculty,, their RCPRS Big, attend seminars in their field(s) of interest, talk to the professors teaching their classes, and search online. If these efforts do not result in securing a faculty mentor, students must communicate directly with the RCPRS Program Director.

What is conditional status?
Conditional status is a temporary designation granted at the discretion of the RCPRS Program Director that allows a scholar to remain in the program while meeting outstanding requirements within a specified time frame.

What if I don’t meet the minimum GPA requirement?
Conditional status may be granted at the discretion of the RCPRS Program Director if the GPA requirement is not met. The Program Director will check your progress after the semester ends and reinstate you in good standing for the following semester provided the requirement has been met. 

Are the requirements different if I am off-campus for a semester or an entire year?

One Semester Off-Campus: 

  • Research is waived for a semester in which a student participates in an off-campus program such as study-abroad, Cornell in Washington, etc.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • Submit the annual review materials to demonstrate compliance.

Full Academic Year Off-Campus: 

  • Research requirements are waived.
  • Must still maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
  • Submit the annual review materials to demonstrate compliance. 
  • Students who spend a full academic year off campus should meet with RCPRS program staff as soon as they return to discuss their plans and learn what steps are needed to remain a member.

Have more questions?
You can also reach the RCPRS Program Director:

Monday-Friday 9AM-4:30PM 
rcprs@cornell.edu
(607) 255-6678