HSI STEM

Why did I receive this email?

HSI-STEM sends emails to all admitted CSULB STEM transfer students to promote the programs. We do not have any personal information regarding qualifications for the program.
Who qualifies for the program?

• 2.8 GPA or above, Good academic standing.(Preferred)
• Transfer student currently enrolled at another 2-year institution
• Acceptance to and enrollment at CSULB
• Declared major in the College of Engineering or the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics once at CSULB
• Pell Grant eligible or Hispanic/Latino
• U.S. Permanent Resident or U.S. Citizen
• Available during program dates
• Recommended participation in an EXCEL learning community during the Fall semester following program participation. Requires enrollment in a one unit course.

What is the time commitment required to participate in the program?

Applicants must be available for all mandatory program dates including. Participants will be informed of any changes.

• One Week orientation with HSI STEM staff: June 13-17, 9:00am – 4:00pm
• Full-time research (30 hours per week) with faculty: June 20 – August 11
• Scheduled Brown Bag Workshops: : June 20 – August 11
• Closing Ceremony – August 12, 2022

The first requirement is enrollment in a community college; I will not be transferring from a community college; can I still apply?

Students transferring from a community college will be given priority but transfer students from 4 year institutions will be considered.

What must the application include?

• HSI STEM Summer Bridge to The Beach Online Application (available Spring 2022)
• Unofficial Transcripts from ALL academic institutions in PDF Format ONLY.
• Personal Statement (5 paragraph essay, 2 page maximum) each paragraph MUST meet 100 word minimum requirement and address the following:
  • Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself and share your top 3 reasons/motivations for selecting a STEM major.
  • Paragraph 2: Describe your short and long term career goals.
  • Paragraph 3: Explain how the Summer Bridge to The Beach Program will help you reach these goals.
  • Paragraph 4: Discuss your academic struggles or challenges, especially during virtual learning, and how you overcame them.
  • Paragraph 5: Conclude with a summary of the previous paragraphs, adding anything else about you as a potential research scholar.
• 1 – 2 page Resume
• One (1) Recommendation Form from a STEM professor, lab instructor, or STEM program director/coordinator only. Recommendation Form MUST be submitted directly to hsi-stem@csulb.edu by the deadline.
• One (1) Letter of Recommendation (300 word maximum) from the SAME STEM professor, lab instructor, or STEM program director/coordinator who completes the Recommendation Form. LOR MUST be submitted directly to hsi-stem@csulb.edu by the deadline and MUST address the following:
• Detail the student’s personal and academic strengths, personality characteristics, areas for improvement that would impact the program.
• Discuss the student’s potential for success as both a research student and a STEM student at CSULB.
• Share other points of interest about the student that would help us understand how we can adapt the program to meet his/her needs.
• Application is due on or before Friday, April 29 by 5pm.
• Review your Application Packet CAREFULLY! You must honor ALL requirements and deadlines in order for you to be considered for the program.
• Application is due on or before Friday, April 29 by 5pm.
• Review your Application Packet CAREFULLY! You must honor ALL requirements and deadlines in order for you to be considered for the program.

SBB selection has become increasingly competitive. You are encouraged to gather all your application materials early and submit your application as soon as possible.

I see a section on the application where we are supposed to input the research topics that we are interested in. However, I was unable to find the research topics for the Summer Bridge program. What are the research topics that are being offered?

For this question, applicants include their own research interests based on their major and interest. HSI-STEM as a program doesn’t offer any specific research topics. Ultimately, the research depends on the applicant’s major, the faculty member to whom they are matched (if selected), and the research project.

I have emailed my professor who’s completing the recommendation letter and form to check on his progress. However, it is currently spring break at my institution so I cannot speak with him in person.

The HSI-STEM team suggests seeking an alternative professor, lab instructor, or STEM Program who may be available to write one for you. Request your letter of recommendation well in advance so your recommender has enough time to complete and submit the recommendation letter and form.

I missed the deadline. Any chance can I still apply?

Applications for Summer Bridge to The Beach will not be accepted after the deadline.

When will notifications be sent?

Students with completed applications will receive a confirmation that the application was received and will be reviewed by the program committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Final decisions will be emailed towards the end of May. Check all your email folders to ensure that you receive the information on time.

Eligibility:

Can DACA students apply?

Applicants must be U.S. Permanent resident or U.S. Citizens.

What is Pell grant eligibility?

U.S. Department of Education defines Pell Grants as: Federal Pell Grants are direct grants awarded through participating institutions to students with financial need who have not received their first bachelor’s degree or who are enrolled in certain post baccalaureate programs that lead to teacher certification or licensure.

Check your Financial Aid Packet for information regarding your grant eligibility.
What if I’m not Hispanic?

Students do not have to be Hispanic to participate in the program.

How will I receive the stipend?

The stipend is distributed as a scholarship with the Financial Aid Office and paid in installments through your financial aid packet in summer months. More information will be given during Orientation Week.

Do I have to have previous research experience to apply?

No, you do not have to have previous research experience.

I have applied to or am currently participating in another funded research program (BUILD, LSAMP, UROP, RISE, MARC, McNair, NIH, etc.) Can I still apply?

Students who are participating in a concurrent funded research program will not be considered.
I cannot apply for the program because of the time commitment required. What other research programs are offered on campus?

CSULB has several 2 year, 1 year, or semester options. Some are: McNairs Scholarship program, BUILD, LSAMP, and volunteering in a lab outside of official programs may allow flexibility.

Housing:

Is Housing provided?

No, housing is not provided.

Do you have any housing recommendations near CSULB?

This link may be helpful: https://csulb.och101.com/