Program Overview
Founded in 1992 by Dr. Gary May, current Dean of the Georgia Tech College of Engineering, the Summer Undergraduate Research in Engineering/Sciences (S.U.R.E.) program is committed to increasing the number of qualified students who are traditionally under-represented in STEM fields. These include but are not limited to students from racial/ethnic minority groups, women, or first generation college students.
Since that time, the SURE program has experienced some significant results.
According to the findings of the 2009-2011 post-program surveys the participants observed significant gains in:
- Understanding what everyday research is like (71%)
- Planning and preparing for graduate school (64%)
- Understanding the theory and concepts that guided their research (64%)
- Confidence in their ability to do well in future technical/scientific courses (59%)
- Identifying limitations of research methods and designs (56%)
- Using problem solving skills in the research process
Over 500 students have participated in SURE since its inception and:
- 75% of them ultimately attended graduate school, either for a master’s degree or a PhD.
- Half of those who attended graduate school did so at Georgia Tech.
A few stats about the 2018 SURE cohort:
- 62 student researchers from across the country
- Almost 400 applications
- 3.45 average cum GPA
- 56% women and 87% URM
- 23 graduate student mentors
- Six industry tours and social events
- One GRE Prep course
- 18 cash prizes at the Research Symposium & Poster Session
- Approximately 20 SURE alumni are current GT graduate students
