Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS)
Opportunity Description:
Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) is an undergraduate-to-graduate bridge program designed to broaden participation of historically underrepresented communities in the atmospheric and related sciences. SOARS invites students from multiple STEM disciplines -- including chemistry, ecology, engineering, geography, mathematics, meteorology, physics, and the social sciences--to deepen their expertise in understanding the Earth’s Atmosphere.
Atmospheric Sciences include research ranging from processes, such as how individual water molecules condense on dust; how pollutants are suspended in the air; to examining how solar flares, two and a half times larger than the earth itself, influence the upper atmosphere of the entire planet. Some of the exciting areas of research in geosciences include understanding a rapidly changing climate and its impact on the Earth and its inhabitants; severe weather events like deep hail, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods; and the changing, chemical composition of the atmosphere.
The program is designed to promote and support research, mentoring and community. SOARS Protégés can participate for up to four (4) summers conducting research in atmospheric and earth-system sciences. SOARS offers comprehensive financial support for summer research, conference travel, as well as undergraduate and graduate school funding. Over 90% of SOARS Protégés advance to graduate school; and many have entered the workforce with the MS degree, and/or continued onto the PhD degree.
Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements:
A successful candidate should fulfill the following requirements:
- Academic majors in atmospheric science or a related field such as the geosciences, chemistry, computer science, earth science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, meteorology, oceanography, physics, or social and behavioral sciences, and an interest in pursuing a career in atmospheric or related STEM disciplines.
- Completion of at least one semester of undergraduate studies remaining after the initial summer program (graduating seniors are not eligible to apply). Bachelor’s degree holders are ineligible.
- United States Citizenship or Permanent-Resident status
Not required but will be reviewed with other materials:
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; if your GPA is less than this, please address the circumstances in your essay.
- Completed two (2) years of college, or the equivalent. Community College students and Associates’ degree holders are welcome and encouraged to apply.
SOARS encourages applications from individuals who are members of a group that is historically under-represented in the atmospheric and related sciences, including students who are Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Hispanic or Latino, female, first generation college students, veterans and students with disabilities. SOARS welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students; students who have experienced, and worked to overcome, educational or economic disadvantage and/or have personal or family circumstances that may complicate their continued progress in research careers.
Application Process:
Your application should include:
- The SOARS application questionnaire
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Two (2) essay questions, each with a limit of 500 words. Essay questions carry considerable weight for the application, please be thoughtful with your responses.The essay questions are as follows:
- Academic Statement of Purpose: A statement outlining your career goals and how participating in SOARS will help you meet these goals.
- SOARS Mission and Personal Journey: SOARS is dedicated to enhancing the diversity of future scientific communities and sharing our science with a broader audience. Please describe how you, based on your personal background and life experiences (including cultural, educational, familial, and social, etc.) will contribute to this mission during and after participation in SOARS.