About Research Immersion in Science & Engineering
The Research Immersion in Science and Engineering (RISE) program is a 1-week University of Florida residential STEM program exploring the intersections of Technology, Engineering, and Science! Daily activities will include discussions, hands-on activities and laboratory experiments, case studies, field trips, and guest talks from UF faculty and graduate students across engineering and science disciplines. There will also be recreational activities offered during the program (e.g., trivia, game nights, etc.).
The Research Immersion in Science and Engineering program offers students an unparalleled opportunity to engage in a dynamic and immersive research experience characterized by creativity, discovery, and innovation. Through hands-on exploration and collaboration with leading experts in the field, students delve into cutting-edge research projects that push the boundaries of scientific knowledge. Encouraged to think critically, problem-solve creatively, and approach challenges with an innovative mindset, participants are empowered to make meaningful contributions to their respective fields while honing their skills as future scientists and engineers.
Important Information: Students must make a commitment to attend and participate in the entire program. Please confirm no other academic, school-related, sports, or family events will conflict with the program dates.
What RISE Offers
Let’s admit it—you’re looking at this page because you’re kind of a science nerd. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! If you want to learn from incredible scientists at UF, all while making friends with other high-achieving students with similar interests to you, you’re in the right place, and we can’t wait to meet you!
Research Immersion in Science and Engineering is a themed program that will introduce you to the iterative cycle of innovations in science and engineering. From basic science research to the development of new applications, therapies, and technologies, you’ll learn how research scientists and engineers contribute new knowledge and innovative approaches to tackle societal issues.
- From caving with a Florida geology expert, to learning first-hand about the development of virtual reality, to designing cities, RISE has something for everyone. Each year, students explore how different disciplines approach current hot topics in science and society.
- RISE is a great way to see all that UF has to offer. You’ll get the opportunity to work with current faculty, researchers, and graduate students as well as touring scientific labs and facilities. You’ll also experience other cool aspects of UF campus – from dining halls to sports facilities, libraries and residence halls.
- You’ll live with other participants from around the state in an on-campus UF residence hall. Students dine together, and enjoy fun socials, sports, and activities in the evenings with our world-class counselors. Students arrive as strangers and leave as life-long friends!
Program Cost & Fees
| Application Fees | Program Cost | Scholarships |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $1200 | Need Based Available |
| Application fees are non-refundable even if an application is rejected or waitlisted or in the event that a program is canceled due to other circumstances beyond our control. | This includes housing, daily meals, staffing and supervision, social activities, insurance (primary or excess depending upon parent coverage), and program-themed supplies. | All interested and qualified students are encouraged to apply regardless of ability to pay. Limited need-based scholarships are available for students attending a Florida high school. |
*This program does NOT count towards tuition reimbursement programs like Florida Prepaid*
The amount of personal spending money required for the program varies. Participants should not bring large amounts of cash to the program. Instead, families should arrange for students to have a debit, prepaid card, or credit card. Students should budget for the following:
- Souvenirs from the UF bookstore and fieldtrips
- Transportation: cost for travel to and from Gainesville are the responsibility of the students and their families.
- Dorm equipment: bedding, toiletries
About Financial Aid/ Scholarships
Limited financial aid may be available for students attending a Florida high school. Financial Aid Applications will be sent if the student is accepted into the program. Students are encouraged to apply regardless of ability to pay.
The ability to pay is not considered in the program selection process, but students may have the non-refundable deposit waived if the request for financial aid is submitted with the application.
The number of need-based scholarships vary year-to-year, and we cannot predict how many awards will be granted each year; however, we try very hard to help students with a strong financial need attend our program. Students are encouraged to also secure their own funding. Students have had success in receiving fully funded scholarships from local businesses, corporations, service and community organizations, and personal donations.
About Applying
Applicants must create an account in our online application portal in order to apply for any student programs offered by UF CPET. The online application portal is www.ufcpet.smapply.us. All components are submitted using the online application process unless noted. After all the below components of the application are completed, student must log into their account and SUBMIT their application. We strongly warn against last-minute submissions due to frequent technical hurdles that can easily make an application late, leading to rejection.
Students currently in the 9th grade are eligible for RISE. There are no exceptions to the grade policy. There is no minimum GPA to apply.
Non-Florida and international students may apply for RISE. A limited number of spots are designated for students from non-Florida high schools. If accepted, students and their families are responsible for all travel arrangements and/or travel requirements such as passports/Visa, etc.
The RISE Application consists of:
- User Information: Provide applicant and parent/guardian contact information.
- Application Form: Provide additional information such as student involvement and responding to two writing prompts (each is limited to 500 words).
- Teacher Endorsement Form: One Online Teacher Endorsement Forms from a high-school or college-level math, science, research, or computer science teacher or mentor are recommended.
- Endorsers are asked to evaluate the student’s maturity, collaborative learning capacity, and ability to work in a university-level research lab. Applicants should think carefully about which teachers know the student the best and will be able to evaluate according to the criteria.
- Endorsers will receive an automated request from noreply@smapply.io once a student has requested an endorsement in their online application. However, we recommend that students contact their teacher prior to filling out the online request.
- High School Transcript: Submit your unofficial transcript with grades till this past fall semester via the application portal (Either as a .PDF, .JPG, or .PNG). An official transcript may be asked of you to submit at a later point in time once accepted.
- Application Fee: The link to pay the Application Fee is available on the application in the fee payment step. Students attending a Florida High School who qualify may request an Application Fee Waiver.
- *Task Approval Process: In the application portal, students are required to acknowledge the requirement of each of these “offline” portions by clicking “submit for approval”. The CPET office will log receipt of each requirement. After the requirement is logged, students will need to complete the section by clicking “complete” in the on-line portal. After all portions are complete, students can then submit their full application.
Notifications
RISE has a rolling admission process which means applications will continue to be reviewed until the program is filled. We start reviewing applications in March.
Students will receive automated emails from noreply@smapply.io to the “Student’s E-mail Address” provided on the application confirming his or her application in complete. It is the student’s responsibility to provide a working email address and check that email address regularly for communication from the program.
Once the first round of applications is received, they are reviewed by our Selection Committee. This review process can take 3 or more weeks, so please be patient. Each member of our committee carefully reads each application, transcript, and teacher endorsement we receive. This process takes time. Frequent calls can slow this process. Once we have reached a decision, we will send out an email through our online application portal.
Participant Selection: Notification of Selection will be made via email to the student email address provided on the application. Failure to respond to email in a timely manner may result in the student being placed on the wait list.
- Students invited to participate are required to respond to the invitation within 14 days of the email being sent.
- Students invited to attend, but not ready to commit to may defer his or her invitation.
The student may be placed on a waitlist if not invited during the first time their application is reviewed.
- This is an active waitlist, and applications will continue to be reviewed until the program is filled. Students must confirm their place on the waitlist to continue being considered. The waitlist is not ranked.
If you are not selected for the program, we wish you luck on your future endeavors. We do not provide or give comments or feedback on applications
The UCPET staff abide by FERPA and University application standards and therefore do not discuss applications, applicant data (individual or aggregated), nor selection with students or parents. Once an application is submitted, students may view and download, but not edit, their application through the online portal.
*Please note that applicants, not their parents, receive all correspondence from our office. It is the student’s responsibility to provide a working email address and check that email address regularly for communication from UF CPET. Failure to respond to email in a timely manner may result in the student being placed on the wait list. At any time, applicants and parent “collaborators” may check on acceptance status in the on-line portal. *