How can I identify/locate research-ready undergraduate students for my graduate program?

A good first step would be to locate faculty who run undergraduate research programs at Minority Serving Institutions or institutions with substantial enrollment of students of color. These faculty members are probably actively mentoring students of color and are keenly interested in seeing their students enter and succeed in graduate programs. Mentors of undergraduate students are often eager to establish personal contact with graduate research mentors who express an interest in getting these students involved in their research projects and nurturing them until graduation. The following link provides information and advice on how to find faculty with large undergraduate programs.

GradPortal Tutorial for Locating PIs of Large Undergraduate Grants for Minority Students

Other valuable sources of information in finding research-ready undergraduate students are the many programs which provide research opportunities for undergraduate students, and which emphasize participation by students of color. The following link provides a list of agencies with such programs.

Programs and resources offering undergraduate research opportunities

Another approach is to identify target schools that are strong in your disciplinary area. Please check the links below for some helpful lists of institutions. Then, contact faculty colleagues at these schools to inform them about your interest in recruiting students in that particular discipline. A track record of success with students of color who have already enrolled in your program will also be a plus.

Establishing direct contact with potential students is a more effective marketing technique for your graduate program than the dissemination of written information and brochures. Therefore, consider different options to establish face-to-face contact, such as making regular campus recruitment visits which can be combined with seminars or talks about your research., or hosting open house tours of your department.

In addition, consider establishing a network of colleagues at the undergraduate level who are conducting research in your disciplinary area. Such faculty could serve as touch stones for promising students. Possible points of contact are state or regional conferences or division meetings of national associations. Also remain abreast of research awards to undergraduate institutions in your area of specialization. A letter of congratulations is a good opening for expressing your interest in potential graduate students.

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