COR Student Requirements
Applicants should major in one of the following areas...
- Psychology
- Chicano/a Studies
- Family & Consumer Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Sociology
- Child & Adolescent Development
- Pan African Studies
- Asian American Studies
Applicants should identify as one or more of the following ethnic backgrounds...
- Latin American
- African American
- Pacific Islander/Filipino
- Native American
- Southeast Asian
Applicants should also...
- Have a GPA > 3.0
- Have an interest in mental health research
- Aspire to the PhD degree within one of the social science fields
The Selection Process:
Acceptance into the COR program is competitive. Out of an average of about 20 to 30 applicants each year, 4 are selected for the following Fall semester's incoming cohort. Once an application is received, it is reviewed for eligibility. Applications must be complete, with 2 letters of recommendation, a DARS report or unofficial transcript, and all questions answered. Late applications will not be reviewed.
Applicants in the first stage of screening will be evaluated based upon grades, previous research and/or academic experiences, and goodness of fit between their goals and the aims of the COR program. Applicants selected from this pool will then be called in for an interview. Please note that meeting the eligibility requirements for the COR program does not guarantee that an applicant will be interviewed. Once interviews have been conducted—usually sometime in February, interviewed applicants will be notified of their acceptance within 2 weeks.
What to Expect if Selected:
Selected students will embark on a challenging two year preparation program, designed to help them succeed in gaining acceptance to a PhD program within the social sciences. It is important to think seriously about the commitment required of COR students before applying or accepting an invitation to join the COR program. This commitment includes...
- A two year commitment to the COR program.
- Participation in the COR Summer Research Institute starting in July of the first year (before the Fall semester begins).
- Participation in mentored research starting in July of the first year for at least 10 hours per week.
- Participate in service learning with community mental health agency
- Enrollment during the first year in all 4 COR classes.
- Attendance at the COR conference for both years in COR-- these are in November. During their second year, all COR students are expected to present their research findings at the conference.
- Students must apply to participate in a Summer Research Opportunity (SROP) or internship during their second summer in COR.
- Completion of a senior thesis-- to be developed with the help of COR mentors and the Program Director.
- Students are also expected to apply to doctoral programs upon completion of the COR program and therefore should enter into COR with the understanding that they must complete all remaining requirements for graduation within their two year appointment.
COR Benefits:
- Opportunities to participate in mentored research
- Preparation for a doctoral program
- Annual stipend (paid monthly) (approximately $10,500/yr.)
- Funds for travel to conferences and prospective graduate
- programs, tuition, supplies, equipment
- GRE help
- Professional development assistance