Diversity: Graduate Student Recruitment Programs: MERGE

As part of its effort to achieve diversity in its graduate programs, the College of Engineering brings promising graduate school prospects from diverse cultures to campus in October for an expense-paid visit and orientation session.  Nano-CEMMS hosts those students who show potential for research within the Center’s thrust areas; students meet with Nano-CEMMS affiliated professors during their visit.

The program includes:

• An overview of the graduate programs, faculty, and facilities available at Illinois
• A faculty interview
• Information regarding the financial aid available at Illinois
• A workshop on the preparation of an application to graduate school
• An overview of the cultural activities available at Illinois

An informal “get acquainted” party with current minority graduate engineering and chemistry students

• During the event, Nano-CEMMS hosts some of the MERGE students for an orientation session that includes the following:
• An overview of the Center, its research thrust areas and opportunities for education outreach
• An interview with Nano-CEMMS affiliated professor(s)
• Information about the SURGE-Nano-CEMMS Graduate Fellowship
• A tour of Nano-CEMMS laboratories, including Cleanroom facilities
• Informal presentations given by current Nano-CEMMS graduate students