Why should I participate in research as a student?
Studies show that students who participate in research as an undergraduate, either during the academic year (Independent Study, Senior Project) or summer, show significant gains in the following areas:
- critical thinking skills
- intellectual engagement
- communications skills
- ability to manage projects
- skills as researchers
- overall academic ability
The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) conducts work to demonstrate the power of experiences like undergraduate research. For example…
- Skills obtained during URSCA opportunities are the same ones employers prioritize
- Undergraduate research is one of the most effective high-impact practices
In addition, Allegheny alumni report that Senior Project research resulted in a:
- better understanding of skills, abilities and interests
- better preparation for a job or graduate school than peers without a capstone experience
- positive influence on intellectual growth and interest in ideas
- positive influence on personal growth, attitudes, and values
URSCA Office Resources
The Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (URSCA) office has a number of resources available to help Allegheny students who want to pursue student-faculty collaborative work or to travel to professional conferences to present their scholarly work. The URSCA Office also provides students with opportunities to present their scholarly work to the Allegheny College community. Please use the links in the Menu (on the right) to find more information about Research Opportunities, Conference Resources, and the Senior Project.
In addition to these online resources, we strongly recommend that interested students attend one of our workshops or meet with one of the URSCA office representatives. Students can meet with the Director of URSCA, with the Student Coordinator or Assistant of the URSCA office, or with one of the SURSCA (Students for URSCA) representatives. Please contact Dr. Matt Venesky (mvenesky@allegheny.edu), Director of URSCA, with any questions about URSCA opportunities and/or resources.