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Billington Student Research Fellowship in US History

Occidental College, Summer 2015 Application

Faculty Recommendation Form

Please send this form by 4pm on Thursday, February 12, 2015

The History Department is pleased to announce the Billington Student Research Fellowship, which will fund two summer research fellowships for undergraduates conducting archival/primary source research in US History. This is a competitive fellowship and History majors who have completed their junior year will be given preference in the process. All projects related to the history of the United States from its colonial era to the present are eligible. The Billington Student Fellows will participate in the ten-week Summer Research Program offered by the URC. They will also receive stipends ($390/week), subsidized on-campus housing, and a small budget (up to $500) for research expenses. Faculty sponsors who work with students over the summer will receive a stipend of $1000.

Faculty Mentors are expected to be available to the Billington Summer Research Fellow on a continuing basis, to meet regularly with them in person or via Skype, and to provide support and guidance in carrying out the research project and preparing a final report, poster, or other culminating project. Please submit the recommendation directly to the URC by e-mail ().

Questions about the Billington Student Research Fellowship should be directed to Prof. Lisa Sousa, History Department, at .

APPLICANT’S NAME:

RECOMMENDER’S NAME:

DEPARTMENT/TITLE:

E-MAIL:

We would appreciate your assessment of his/her attributes listed below. For each of the following attributes please rank the applicant on a scale of 1 (Excellent) – 5 (Poor-bottom 10%), and add substantive comments that will help the selection committee evaluate the applicant’s qualifications. Please use the following scale to rank the applicant:

1 = Excellent
2 = Above Average

3 = Average
4 = Less than Average
5 = Poor-bottom 10%

? = Insufficient data to render an opinion

  1. Strength of the research proposal and methodology: _____

Comments (please comment on the match between the research question and the proposed research site(s) and sources as well as overall strength of the proposal):

  1. Relevance of summer research to the applicant’s academic program and career aspirations: _____

Comments:

  1. Intellectual curiosity with regard to the research project: _____

Comments:

  1. Academic motivation and overall scholastic ability, especially in terms of analytical, written and and oral communication skills: ______

Comments:

  1. Relevance of previous coursework to summer research project: _____

Comments:

  1. Reliability, maturity, and ability to work independently:_____

Comments:

  1. How often will you meet with the student over the summer? Discuss your role as a faculty mentor to the student and your interest in this project.
  1. How long and in what capacity have you known this student?

Other comments: