Summer 2018 MAP Application
Jerod Weinman
Instructions
Applications for summer research with Professor Jerod Weinman must
include answers to some preliminary questions as well as a description
of a project you wish to undertake. You must also submit the divisional
application online:
Please submit your answers to the questions below via email to Professor
Weinman [weinman].
Background
- This project requires preparatory work in spring, and possibly followup
work in the following year, as described in the project information.
By submitting an application, you agree to participate in this work
to the best of your ability, even though it may be uncompensated.
- The projects will be collaborative. By submitting an application,
you agree to working with at least one other student as a team.
- This project will involve creating software and other digital artifacts.
By submitting an application, you agree have your project work released
under free software and Creative Commons licenses. (The specific license
may depend on the target code base.)
Application
Please send the following either as plain text in the body of an email
or an attached PDF.
Preliminaries
- Name
- Class year
- Major(s) (or "Undeclared"), Concentration (if applicable)
- GitHub username
- List the CS and Mathematics/Statistics courses you have taken or are
currently enrolled in, the instructor, and grade you received in each.
- For Grinnell courses, you may list only the course number, e.g. MAT 209.
- If it is a special topics course, please also give the course title.
- For non-Grinnell courses, please give the course numbering, full title,
and institution where you took the course.
- Explain what non-science courses (if any) you have taken that will
contribute to your efforts on the project.
- List the programming languages you know and rate your ability to use
each of these languages. Include one thing you love and one thing
you loathe about each.
- Assess your writing skills.
- Explain any other applicable skills or background you bring to the
project.
- Explain why you are prepared to do summer research under Grinnell's
Mentored
Advanced Project (499) rubric.
- Describe how you think undertaking a summer research project will
influence your subsequent academic and post-graduation goals.
- If you are applying for summer opportunities elsewhere (e.g., REU
or internship) and were offered both a Grinnell MAP and the other,
which whould be your first choice?
- Describe what sets you apart from other students. That is, for what
reasons should I select you over another applicant.
- What else would you like me to know?
Project Description
Write a few paragraphs describing what component/aspect of the project
you find most interesting and how you would approach it. You should
also discuss relevant details of the technologies you will rely on
(languages, models, other programs, etc.) and some of your preliminary
design ideas.
You will greatly strengthen your application by showing me
that you've looked into related research and background materials.
You will significantly weaken your application by writing poorly.
Code Sample
Include a program or piece of code from your personal portfolio. Write
one paragraph (3-5 sentences) explaining the significance of the code
to you (e.g., why you are proud of it, what makes it particularly
compelling or interesting, etc.)
Process
After reviewing applications submitted by the deadline, I may invite
some applicants to meet for a brief (15 minute) interview/discussion
about your application for the project.
Acknowledgements
Adapted from a 2009 and 2018 Summer Research Application by
Sam Rebelsky. Used by permission.