Selection & Continuation Criteria

Criteria for the Selection of Undergraduate Student Participants

1. Applicants must be a United States citizen, or a non-citizen national lawfully admitted as a permanent resident, with current registration enrolled as a full-time matriculated student on the TWU Denton campus.

2. Applicants should demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in the biomedical sciences.

3. Applicants for the MBRS program must be motivated to pursue research activities, must be able to work with others, and should be willing to accept constructive criticism.

4. Academic credentials are as follows:

A. Freshman Students enrolling full-time at TWU Denton

1. high school transcript of grades
2. ACT composite score of at least 18
3. overall high school grade point average of 2.8, based on a 4.0 scale
4. one letter of recommendation from a high school science teacher
5. contact information for one individual who is willing to offer a personal reference for you

B. Undergraduate students presently enrolled full-time at TWU Denton (Sophomore, Junior, or Senior students)

1. an overall GPA of 2.8, based on a 4.0 scale
2. a 3.0 GPA in the basic science courses (chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics)
3. one letter of recommendation from a college science instructor
4. contact information for one individual who is willing to offer a personal reference for you

5. Applications completed by prospective MBRS students will be circulated among research faculty for their perusal. In each case, an attempt will be made to match student's interest with the participating MBRS faculty mentor's research field.

Criteria for the Continuation of MBRS Student Participants

The following guidelines for continuation of Multi-Ethnic Biomedical Research Support Program student participants will be adhered to. MBRS student performance will be reviewed at the conclusion of each semester.

Following interviews by faculty mentors, recommendations for continuance will be made on an individual student basis.

Undergraduate Requirements for Continuation

1. Students must maintain a GPA as required for program admission.

2. Students must demonstrate a commitment to research activities by averaging 15 hours work per week in research activities. Since a high priority of the MBRS Program is for undergraduate students to receive a solid foundation in academics, faculty mentors will make every effort to offer research opportunities that are sufficiently flexible that they will not interfere with the student's course requirements.

3. Students must demonstrate evidence of research productivity appropriate for their level of training. By the second year, each undergraduate participant should present research findings at least at the TWU Student Research Symposium and preferably at an appropriate national meeting.

4. Students must actively participate in the weekly MBRS seminar series and Science Seminar.

5. Students will be strongly encouraged to obtain experience applying for fellowships or scholarships funded outside the University, including off-campus summer research opportunities.