Frequently Asked Questions
Q: ¿No hablo inglés, que puedo hacer?
A: Te recomendamos aprender inglés, no solo para aplicar al REPU sino para poder leer la literatura en revistas indexadas y acceder a toda la información disponible en este idioma. Además, programas de doctorado en EE.UU. y Europa son en Inglés.
Q: I am a peruvian student doing a masters, is it possible for me to apply to this program?
A: Yes. However, 4th and 5th-year undergraduate students get preference.
Q: How much research experience is required?
A: There is not a minimum amount of research required, but a typical student would have taken the research opportunities available at their own universities.
Q: Do I get a stipend during the internship?
A: Generally REPU students do not get stipends from their host universities, but financial aid is available from different sources.
Q: What is the minimum English skill level required?
A: Usually students admitted, have a very good level of English (advanced). The selection process includes an interview in English.
Q: I am a student with low income. Is that a limitation to be in the program?
A: No. We encourage students from all incomes to apply. Considerable funding is available on the basis of scholastic achievement through national and private entities. Additionally, when applicable, grants awarded to REPU will be utilized to help students with greater economic needs.
Q: What kind of research will I be conducting during the internship?
A: Students are matched with laboratories working on basic research in the areas of Natural Language, Computational Vision, Signal Processing, and Complex Systems. Most students work with a graduate student or postdoc who guides and teaches the student during the internship.
Q: How long does the internship last?
A: The REPU internship begins on January 1st and lasts till either March 15th or March 31st, depending on when University classes begin in Peru.
Q: If I am selected, can I choose the lab or university where I will do research?
A: No, students are selected and assigned both the lab and university by the REPU admission committee depending on availability, mentors may try to match research interests but our priority is to assign a welcoming laboratory.
Q: I am a second-year student. What can I do to get ready to apply in a couple of years?
A: Brush up in your English and gain experience by working at laboratories in your institution. It doesn’t hurt to attend meetings (such as the ECI).
Q: I am majoring in an area of basic science not listed in REPU, can I still apply?
A: REPU specifically seeks students within the areas described on this website. However, in very rare cases exceptional students are considered in new areas.
Q: I am majoring in an area of basic science not listed in REPU, can I still apply?
A: REPU specifically seeks students within the areas described on this website. However, in very rare cases exceptional students are considered in new areas.
Q: How does the selection process work?
A: The participants to the REPU program are selected in a three-stage process. First, your application package is evaluated by three independent reviewers. In the second stage, you will answer a set of questions that will allow us to get to know you better. Finally, in the last stage, our mentors (who do not participate in the first stage) will interview you in order to assess your knowledge of English as well as other skills learned throughout your undergraduate studies which critical for your success during the program.
Q: What happens if I am accepted but I cannot find any source of funding?
A: REPU will no be able to cover any type of travel expenses. If despite the help provided no source of funding is available, meetings with the co-directors will be arranged to see other possibilities like the delay of the internship for one year.
Q: When will I know if I have been selected?
A: The selection process takes around two months from the application deadline. If you haven’t heard from us after that, please send us an email to repu.admissions@gmail.com.