Invaluable work experience

     When applying for a job, you will be asked what experience you have.  If you have no prior experience, it is very difficult to gain hands-on experience.  With an URSA Grant, you will gain the experience you need while working in an area of interest to you.

     Today, you will also find that the best graduate and professional schools are looking for that "something extra" that is reflected by an independent research, scholarly, or creative project.  Every student graduating from college can produce a long list of courses that (s)he has taken, and many of these students will have strong grade point averages.  Not every student, however, will have a major scholarly project that (s)he can put forward.  The fact that you have committed yourself to an in-depth project helps those making graduate and professional schools selections better understand your level of commitment and demonstrates that you have an interest in the subject that goes beyond the average student.

Opportunity to get to know faculty

     Very often you will need to get a letter of recommendation from a faculty member.  It may be for graduate school, professional school, or a job.  It is hard for a faculty member to write a meaningful letter for you if your only contact with your professor is through a class.  You are one on many students in the class and, very often, the faculty member has not gotten to know you in a way that can help him or her write a convincing letter.  Working one-on-one with a faculty mentor will enable the faculty member to better understand your strengths, abilities, and interests.