How do I know if I qualify for the SUNY LSAMP program?
The State University of New York Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (SUNY LSAMP) is funded by the National Science Foundation to increase the number of underrepresented minorities (African-American, Latino, Native American, Alaskan Native, Hawaiian Native, and Native Pacific Islander) who pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. The LSAMP program is especially interested in students who intend to pursue graduate degrees in STEM disciplines. This does NOT include any of the health careers such as nursing, pharmacy, etc. This is because NSF is responding to a national need to increase the number of students who enter research and technical professions, not health careers. There are other funding sources for students in the health professions. Check on your individual campuses for that information.
Each campus has different STEM majors so it is a good idea to check with the SUNY LSAMP Coordinator on your campus. Also, you can be in the program if you have a double major and one of the majors is in the STEM fields.
Can I join the program at any point?
The majority of SUNY LSAMP students enter the program as freshmen or as new transfer students. However, each campus decides when students can enter the program so check with your local Coordinator.
How long can I be in the program?
You can stay in the program for your whole undergraduate career as long as you stay in an allowable major. We will even help you continue on to graduate school and help you to join the SUNY Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (SUNY AGEP) if you stay within the SUNY system or link up to another AGEP program. AGEP will provide a series of support services to you if you enroll in a STEM doctoral program.
Who do I contact about the program?
You can always contact the main office of SUNY LSAMP and we will refer you to a local contact. If you are at one of the campuses listed on the web site, you can contact them directly.
Why should I join SUNY LSAMP?
Majoring in one of the STEM disciplines can be very demanding. Sometimes you may feel isolated since there may be very few other underrepresented minority students in your classes. SUNY LSAMP can help you join a community of other students with your interests and your concerns. Also, we offer some financial support and a lot of services that can help with course work, provide social support, learn study skills, learn research skills, find research placements and internships and prepare for graduate school or the workplace. Each campus has designed a program specifically for their students.
Do you have a summer program?
Many of our campuses have summer programs that range from one to ten weeks. Some programs are for students who are just entering college, some are research based programs and some link with SUNY AGEP.
Why is doing research such an important part of this program?
It has been shown that students who do research as undergraduates do better academically than those who don't and are more likely to go on to graduate school and be successful there.
Can I be in more than one program?
Yes, you can! On many of our campuses there are already collaborations between programs such as the New York State funded CSTEP and SUNY LSAMP. You may not be able to get stipend support from more than one program depending on the funding source but we work together as much as possible to provide you with the most financial, academic and social support as we can.
Are there financial benefits if I join?
We have some funds for students. Each campus decides what support their students receive. There are book stipends, funds to do research, funds for students based on their GPA, funds to travel to professional conferences and more. Check with the System Office or your local Coordinator.
Can you help me to get summer internships?
Each program helps students find internships. They publicize opportunities, help students fill out applications and provide references.
Can I join the program if I am planning on transferring from another school?
YES. We are really interested in helping transfer students make a successful transition to their new school. It can be tough for students until they learn about their new campus and we can help you with information and support.
Why does this program want students to go on to graduate school?
There are two main reasons we want students to go to graduate school. First, there are wonderful opportunities in STEM professions that will open up to you with a graduate degree. Second, we are really trying to diversify the professoriate so that students of color can work with professors of color. Right now, we need to bring in many new professors to have a truly inclusive academic climate.
What are the advantages of careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics?
There are so many exciting opportunities in STEM professions both in academia and in the business world. There are interesting professions with good salaries and opportunities for advancement. Many of these professions are not known to students or to their families especially if you are the first person in your family to go to college.
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