Director’s Statement

If you are a student considering participating in one (or more) of AEP’s programs, let me assure you that you do not have to be certain of your professional or post-baccalaureate academic path before you begin. The AEP staff and I hope the research commitment required in most of our programs will enable you to make confident, well-informed decisions about attending graduate school, medical or other professional schools, entering the private sector, or pursuing other career goals. We believe the knowledge and skills you gain from assisting faculty on significant scholarly projects and attending related seminars and workshops will make you a more competitive candidate for any position you seek after graduation from UCSD.

At the same time, we also believe these experiences will indeed enrich your undergraduate time at UCSD. Working closely with distinguished faculty, achieving personal and collaborative intellectual milestones, and sharing the excitement of discovery within a community of young scholars are all rewards in themselves, as well as signs of your academic and personal growth.

Each of our programs has its particular elements and expectations. Some are defined by subject area or major, some by student eligibility requirements. Almost all provide students an opportunity to have a hands-on research experience. All are led by coordinators who are eager to help you find the experiences that will help you form your vision for the future.


David Artis, Ph.D.