Frequently Asked Questions

ASTER is designed to support STEM-focused full-time undergraduate students at University of Kansas, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Pittsburg State University, Johnson County Community College, Kansas City Kansas Community College, or Southeast Community College- Lincoln. All students who are US citizens, nationals, or lawfully admitted permanent residents or refugees are eligible to apply. Once selected, students should maintain a GPA >2.5. 

• Monthly professional development
• Meet with faculty or staff mentor at least four times per semester
• Meet with a student mentor monthly
• Apply for summer research or internship experiences
• Attend the annual symposium and present research if possible
• Work with a faculty mentor on high-impact education projects. Depending on the student, this may be research, developing an annotated bibliography, individual development plans, writing an NSF REU application, etc. as determined by the student and faculty mentor
• Meet with ASTER campus leadership at least once per semester. 

All 6 institutions use a common application. Each university has its own required elements for the application (see details below). 

The full application including components for each university can be found here.

Essay questions:

University of Kansas: 

• ASTER LSAMP aims to improve access, success, respect, and belonging among undergraduate STEM students. In ~200 words, discuss these principles and how they have impacted your life experience. 
• In ~200 words, explain your interests in research and how research/internship experiences will help you achieve your career goals. 

University of Nebraska- Lincoln: 

• The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program is designed to help diversify the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. LSAMP priorities include increasing student engagement, retention, and degree completion; enabling transfer from two-year to four-year institutions in STEM programs; and increasing access to high-quality STEM mentoring and undergraduate research experiences.
  In ~300 words, please explain your reasons for choosing to study at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and for majoring in a STEM field.
• In 3-5 sentences, why do you want to participate in LSAMP? How do you see LSAMP's priorities and resources aligning with your educational and career goals?
• In 3-5 sentences, describe an experience where you demonstrated or acquired personal strengths that would benefit a research team.
• Please provide any additional information you believe is important for us to consider in reviewing your application to the LSAMP program.

Pittsburg State University: 

• At this moment, recognizing that things may change with various experiences, what are your post-graduation career and/or education goals? 
• In ~200 words, please explain your interests in research and how a research internship will help you achieve your career goals.

Johnson County Community College:

• In ~250 words, explain your academic and research interests and share how research/internship experiences will help you achieve your career goals. 

Kansas City Community College and Southeast Community College: no essay questions required.

Application review will begin October 7, 2024 and continue until cohorts are full at each institution.

Once cohorts are full, applications will be due February 1 and September 1 each year to fill any open spots. Individuals who apply between review cycles (e.g., March 2025) will be included in the following review session (e.g., September 2025). Selected applicants will be notified as soon as possible following the deadline. Applicants who are not selected in a review cycle, may be included in subsequent review cycles without reapplication. 

Yes! Applicants who have applied in previous cycles are highly encouraged to apply again. Applicants who are not selected in a review cycle, may be included in subsequent review cycles without reapplication. Reapplying may increase the competitiveness of your application. 

Yes. Please reapply via the common application and select your intended 4-year university. This will direct you to answer the questions for that university. Transferring ASTER scholars will be given priority for selection in the following round of application review. Applications are reviewed in February and September to fill any open slots so transfer students may not immediately be ASTER-funded at their transfer institution. Transfer students are welcome to join any events and be part of the ASTER community at their new institution as soon as they enroll, whether or not they are formally accepted to the program. Reach out to your transfer campus leadership with any questions. 

Faculty can note their interest in being paired by completing the informational survey. This will notify campus leadership of your interest, research areas, mentorship background, and provide details about the expectations of faculty mentors. 

• Meet with each ASTER student mentee at least once per month during their tenure in your lab
• Assist students with recommendation letters or other professional development needs
• Work with assigned ASTER student to develop a product (e.g., research project, individual development plan, summer internship applications) for their personal and professional development
• Attend an 8 hour mentorship training (2x 4 hours) every 2 years
• Attend the ASTER annual symposium to be held in the spring every year 

Send an email to aster@ku.edu providing a high-level overview of your concerns. We will reach out and find a time to chat about options and potential solutions for you and the student.