Frequently Asked Questions
Application Questions
A: You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, be enrolled in a 4-year college or university in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territory, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2, and be a sophomore, junior, or non-graduating senior who will return to school in the fall to continue your undergraduate studies.
A: Yes. You can apply to as many Amgen Scholars sites as you want to. Each site has its own application process and the application requirements may vary slightly. Be sure to read each site's requirements carefully.
A: No. Each Amgen Scholars site has its own application to complete.
A: We will accept supporting documents for a short time after the deadline; however, only completed applications can be sent to review.
A: All sites have an application deadline of February 3, 2014 except the California Institute of Technology, which has an application deadline in mid February.
A: Yes. UC Berkeley accepts unofficial transcripts as long as they are of a size that can be uploaded to our system and are of a quality that is readable. As general guidance, we require a PDF copy of your unofficial transcript to be uploaded to your online application. If your unofficial transcript is longer than 3 or 4 pages, is not readable, or is not a credible copy, then consider ordering your official transcript and upload a copy to our system. Your current transcript must include your fall 2013 grades.
Q: I recently transferred to a 4-year college or university after attending a different institution, may I submit a letter of recommendation from someone at my previous school?
A: Yes. Depending on how long you have been at your current school this could be the best option. Letters from a previous school are acceptable particularly for applicants who recently transferred.
Q: If I transferred to a 4-year college or university after attending community college, am I eligible to apply to the Amgen Scholars Program?
A: Yes. If you are enrolled in a 4-year college or university when you apply, you are eligible.
Q: If I transferred to a 4-year college or university after attending community college, which set of transcripts should I submit?
A: Please submit both your transcripts from the institution(s) you previously attended and your most recent transcript (including your fall grades). This will allow for a more complete consideration of your coursework.
A: Yes. Students on a quarter or semester system that ends after the program start date may enter the program 1-2 weeks late.
A: Your application cannot be considered unless it is complete. Please upload your most recent transcript while you work to obtain a copy of your fall grades from your study abroad program. You should contact both the study abroad program and your home institution to request a grade report or transcript (remember an unofficial transcript will suffice.) Finally, email the program staff and apprise us of the situation.
A: No. Research experience is not required; however, it is strongly recommended.
A: No. The UC Berkeley Amgen Scholars Program does not require a resume; therefore, it is not necessary to submit one.
A: No. International students are ineligible to apply to the Amgen Scholars Program. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident AND be enrolled in a college or university in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or another U.S. territory.
A: Basic requirements are the same; however, please visit each Amgen Scholar site and read their application requirements as they vary slightly by campus.
A: No. You should only list research experience you have obtained as an undergraduate.
Q: I am graduating in the spring 2014 semester in May or June, am I eligible to apply for the summer 2014 Amgen Scholars Program?
A: No. You must be returning to your undergraduate college or university in fall 2014 to continue your studies.
A: To convert a 5.0 GPA to a 4.0 GPA, divide your cumulative 5.0 GPA by 1.25, or divide your cumulative GPA by 5 then multiply by 4. Both ways will yield the same 4.0 GPA conversions.
A: Visit UC Berkeley's GPA calculator and enter the units and grades for all your classes or just your major classes. You will need your overall GPA and major GPA when you complete the online application.
A: No. Supporting documents can be submitted at various times. We strongly suggest that you follow up after submitting your application, by logging back in and checking to confirm that your application is complete.
A: Your transcript should be uploaded to the online application as a PDF document. Please do not mail, email, or fax your transcript to the program.
Letters of Recommendation
A: Your letter writers are asked to upload letters of recommendation directly, through our online system. Please carefully follow the instructions provided within the online application. You will need the names and email address of each letter writer.
A: Letters from people who have experience working with you in a research setting, faculty mentors, principal investigators, professors, and teachers are preferred. It is preferable not to have all your letters from the same lab. Please consider carefully before requesting a letter from your pastor, resident advisor, music teacher, high-school teacher, or relative unless you have worked directly with one of these people conducting research.
A: We apologize for the difficulty you and/or your letter writer have experienced. We encourage you to continue to follow up with your letter writers and our office to ensure that your application is complete. Please see the following page for trouble shooting suggestions and then contact us if necessary for further assistance.
A: No. Supporting documents can be submitted at various times. We request that letter writers upload their letters directly to the program through the online system. Please be sure to follow up after submitting your application, by logging back in and checking to confirm that your letters have been received.
Selection & Lab Placement
A: Accepted applicants to the program will be notified starting February 28, 2013. Notifications will continue throughout the month of March.
A: There are 22 summer positions available.
Q: Can I request a specific faculty to work with before I accept an offer to participate in the UCB Amgen Scholars Program?
A: Yes. You will be placed in a faculty lab a several weeks after you accept our offer to participate in the program. Most of the time you are placed with your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd choice faculty. If we cannot place you with one of your top three faculty choices, we will notify you of another faculty option before placing you in that lab.
A: Placements are made based on applicants' research interest.
A: No. You are required to participate for the entire 10 weeks except for students on a quarter system who must arrive late and participate 8 or 9 weeks.
A: No. You are eligible to participate for only one summer in the Amgen Scholars Program at Berkeley or any other Amgen Scholars Program.
Travel / Housing / Meals
A: Airfare and shuttle service is arranged and paid for through the campus. Students who drive will be reimbursed for mileage or the equivalent of an airline ticket whichever is the lowest cost.
A: Scholars will use Bay Area shuttle transportation.
Q: Am I required to live in the specified program housing or can I live with my friends, family, or other off-campus housing?
A: Yes. All participants are required to live in the designated campus housing including Berkeley students.
A: Yes. Your roommate will be another Amgen Scholar. A housing questionnaire will be emailed to each participant to assist us in making the best possible roommate matches.
A: Yes. A meal plan is included with housing.
