Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences

TRACCS: Research Experience and Information Sessions

The TRACCS program features two main parts: research activity and information sessions.

Research experience

Mentor and mentee Every TRACCS student will work closely with a faculty mentor whose research interests match their own as closely as possible. Throughout the 6 week program, students will live the life of a research scientist, and devote 35 hours/week to a research project conducted under the guidance of their mentor. As part of this research experience, TRACCS students will learn how to formulate a testable hypothesis, how to collect and analyze data, how to interpret their results, and upon completion of the program, TRACCS students will present their research to faculty and students.

It has been a life-changing experience, and I hope that it continues to give students like myself the chance to see what research is really about.

Information sessions

In addition to doing research, TRACCS students will spend time in group discussions with different faculty members about pursuing and succeeding in a research career. Student working with mentor

Topics will include:

Choosing a doctoral program and creating the best possible application
Strategies for taking the GRE
Funding for graduate school (and beyond)
Deciding what to study
Being a critical reader and careful writer
Research methods and ethics
Presenting at conferences and publishing in journals
Networking
Job opportunities
Life in academia

At the conclusion of the 6 week TRACCS program, every student will have

knowledge of what it is like to be a researcher
a refined list of graduate programs to which to apply
a well-written statement of interest to submit with each application
professional contacts in the field of communication sciences and disorders
the confidence that comes from succeeding at a challenge

Read about the TRACCS faculty mentors and their research. Read more ...