Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is the Engineering Undergraduate Research office?
The Engineering Undergraduate Research Office is located at Room 136, A. A. Potter Engineering Center, 500 Central Drive, West Lafayette, IN. Office hours are 9am to 4pm, Monday through Friday.
Who can apply for the SURF program?
Undergraduate students enrolled at Purdue and other U.S. institutions are eligible to apply. Please review the full eligibility criteria on the website.
I am currently a freshman, can I apply for SURF?
Yes. See the eligibility criteria and Pre-SURF program for more details.
How do I apply for the SURF program?
Does SURF provide housing during the summer?
Purdue students are responsible for securing their own housing for the summer. External students from another U.S. institution will obtain free housing for the duration of the SURF program at Hilltop Apartments.
How much will I be paid?
During the summer, students are paid $5100 for the 11-week program.
Will my pay be subject to income tax?
The SURF stipend will be paid as a personal payment. Students are considered participants in the SURF program but are not employees of the university. In most cases, taxes will not be withheld from your checks, but the income may be subject to taxes at the end of the year. Each taxpayer is responsible for determining the amount that may be taxable and should contact a tax advisor with questions. IRS Publication 970 may provide helpful information.
Note: For international students, the payments may be subject to taxes as required by the U.S. government. Participants will be asked to update their on-line Glacier file. The generated summary report will indicate any tax liability and the documents required by the university to process your pay.
Can I receive both pay and credit for the research?
No. Students can opt to receive pay OR credit, but not both.
I am a Purdue student; do I need to find a faculty member to work with prior to applying for the SURF program?
No. However, we encourage Purdue students to contact faculty members directly to determine if research opportunities exist in their lab. We highly encourage you to determine your areas of interest and explore the research being conducted on campus. Each school/department’s website lists faculty members and their specific research areas. We also have a list of projects with potential openings; however, this is not a comprehensive list of potential projects.
As a non-Purdue applicant, do I need to find a faculty mentor or will one be assigned to me?
For non-Purdue students considered for the program, the SURF staff will assist them in finding an appropriate research project and mentor. Students are encouraged to explore Purdue websites to discover the research being conducted at Purdue and indicate their research interest on the application form, including specific projects and names of faculty members, if possible.
Can I conduct research in a lab that is outside my major and school?
Yes, the interdisciplinary aspect of many of the projects allows students to learn and work across other disciplines while still applying the concepts and skills from their own programs. Students are encouraged to determine all research areas that may be of interest to them.
When will I know if I am accepted into the SURF program?
SURF offer letters will be sent to students through email in early April.
Does my GPA affect my acceptance into the program?
GPA is considered along with the entire application. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 is required.
How can I get an official university transcript?
Purdue students can order a current transcript online through MyPurdue and upload it along with the application form. Your transcript should include all past and current coursework. External students should contact their student services office and have the official transcript uploaded along with the application form. If an online order system is not available, request the transcript be emailed directly to the Engineering Undergraduate Research Office before the application deadline.
Is it possible to take a summer class and participate in the SURF program?
Yes (only for Purdue students). This has to be discussed with the faculty mentor and this option is available only to Purdue students at the discretion of the faculty mentors. External students are not allowed to take summer classes while participating in the program. Students participating for research credit instead of pay should enroll in the appropriate course for at least 6 credit hours.
Can I take time off during the SURF program?
Yes. Since SURF is a 10-week program in a span of 11-week, students are eligible to take time off. However, this has to be discussed and approved by the faculty mentors ahead of time. Students are advised to discuss this with their faculty mentor before accepting the position (especially if long duration of time off is anticipated during the summer).
Approximately how many students participate in the SURF program?
Each summer, 140-150 students participate in the SURF program.
SURF is the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships Program; does that mean it only exists during the summer?
SURF may offer research opportunities during the academic year, as well. If available, they will be posted on the SURF website.