Clark Summer Research Program Frequently Asked Questions

• Participants must be 17 years old by the program start date, no exceptions.
• Participants must be available for the full, 10-week program for 40 hours per week.

No. The Clark Summer Research Program is open to incoming, first-year UT Dallas students.

Biographical information including:

• Past research experience, personal narrative on what you hope to achieve by participating in the Clark Summer Research Program, unofficial transcript and resume.
• Name of your recommender who must be a:
  • Math teacher if you are a math major; or
  • Art or computer science teacher for AHT majors; or
  • DECA coach, math teacher or school counselor if you are JSOM major; or
  • Science teacher for all other majors.

You will need an Employment Authorization Document (or EAD card) or a Social Security number to work on campus. You need a Social Security number to receive the one-time $500 stipend.

Every student who completed an application will receive a response from us. The spring is very busy, and we appreciate your patience as we review applications. All applicants with a complete application will receive a response.

April 1.

We will email you once the letter arrives. If you do not hear from us within a month of applying, check with your recommender first. If they did not receive the request, please email us at clark@utdallas.edu. If we do not receive the letter, your application is incomplete and will not be reviewed. We recommend you ask for a recommendation as early as possible.

Request for recommendation letters is automated. If they do not receive the request, we recommend they look in their spam/junk folder. Please ask them to check that folder before emailing us.

First, check with your recommender to see if they received an email from us. If they did not, please ask them to look for the email in their spam/junk folder. If they never received them email, please email us at clark@utdallas.edu.

We request a letter from science or computer science teacher because they can speak to your ability in that setting. However, we will accept a second letter. Please email your second recommender’s name and email address as well as your name and UT Dallas NetID (initials and letters, abc190001) to clark@utdallas.edu.

We recommend asking a previous teacher. If this is not possible, explain the situation to your new science teacher and send a second letter of recommendation from another teacher or counselor who knows you well.

Please email your transcript or resume along UT Dallas NetID (initials and letters, abc190001) to clark@utdallas.edu.

The program is a single session from May 27 through Aug. 2, 2025, including attending a mandatory orientation. You will be required to participate in the entire program, all mandatory events and two additional events.

The program is a single session from May 27 through Aug. 2, 2025. You need to be able to start on May 27.

The only exception to missing any part of the program is a late graduation date. You cannot take any vacation or travel during the nine-week program.

The Clark Summer Research Program is like a full-time job. You will be learning in a lab rather than a classroom setting. You will work 40 hours a week for nine to 10 weeks depending on the program length that summer. The hours are determined by your lab but are typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Your lab research hours will be similar to working a full-time job. You also will be required to attend a weekly course and you may occasionally have homework. Due to the demands of the program, you will not have time to work or take classes outside this program.

You will work 40 hours per week, attend a weekly course, and attend both required and optional events. Most events take place on weeknights and weekends.

The hours are determined by your lab, but are typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Clark Summer Research Program is like a full-time job. These eight-hour days in the lab are typically not flexible.

Your parent will be sent paperwork to complete. You will receive your lab assignment in May via email.

In a true emergency, you will call 911 and contact a Clark staff member at 972-883-4285 or clark@utdallas.edu or a Clark peer advisor.

If you are sick and need to miss work one day, you will need to contact your lab via email and copy clark@utdallas.edu on the email.

Students will need a valid driver’s license (with a photo) or a U.S. Passport to pick up their Comet Card. If students do not have either of these documents, they will need to bring an alternative form of a photo ID (such as a high school ID card) and a government-issued document such as a Social Security card or birth certificate to pick up their Comet Card.

Students living on campus will be sent a full list of items to bring. For example, you need items such as extra large twin sheets and blanket, pillows, towels, toiletries, hangers, in-season clothing (daily highs regularly exceed 100 degrees), and one business outfit for the Poster Symposium.

Yes. Clark Program staff and peer advisors use Microsoft Teams to communicate with you and all others in the program.

Summer Platform for Undergrad Research (SPUR) is a capstone, end-of-summer symposium for all UT Dallas students who have completed summer projects. This event is mandatory and provides you with the opportunity to present your summer research to your peers, UT Dallas administrators, faculty, staff and guests.

No. The Clark Summer Research Program is open to all incoming, first-year UT Dallas students.

No. The Clark Program does not affect your scholarship.

There is not a direct cost or fee to participate. However, you will need money for gas if you are commuting. If you are out of the area, you will need to factor in the cost of traveling to UT Dallas. If you are living on campus, you will need dorm supplies. A list of these items will be provided.

You need business attire for SPUR, the symposium where you will present a poster on the last day of the program.

Yes. If you are outside the immediate Dallas-Fort Worth area, a residence hall room and a dining meal plan is provided during the program. If you are local and would like to live on campus, you may do so if you agree to live on campus the entire time. You will not be allowed to live on campus during the week and go home on the weekends.

The stipend amount varies from year to year.

We recommend that you bring spending money as well as money for food because you may not want to eat in the Dining Hall every day.

You must choose an area of interest that most closely aligns with your major. The only exception is for engineering majors who may choose a different engineering field. The various departments assign labs so you will be placed in a lab within your major.

If you are selected by the Clark Review Committee, your application goes through an additional review process to determine the best lab for you.

No. Due to the structure and capacity of the Clark Program, the program assigns you to a lab. The department you selected makes these decisions.

No. You will be assigned to a lab that is currently researching one or multiple projects.

Students are actively engaged in serious research activities that give them a realistic view of the work conducted in their academic disciplines. While no experience is required, it is good to have a basic knowledge of your field of study. If selected to the program, you should research the lab you are assigned to by visiting its website and reading published papers.

Each laboratory has different training. Many labs require long pants and close-toed shoes. While Texas is hot, many buildings are cold inside. Business attire is required for the Poster Symposium.

Local students are expected to commute. However, if you would like to live on campus and rooms are available, you will need to fill out additional paperwork.

We will provide green parking passes via email. You will need to print the pass to leave on your dashboard to avoid a UT Dallas parking ticket.

A car is not needed. However, you are welcome to bring your car and a pass will be provided for you when you move into your residence hall. You register your license plate during your dorm registration process. If you do not register your license plate, you could receive a parking ticket. This pass will only allow you to park in residential parking.

Students will live in University Commons. Visit the Housing website to see floor plans, photos of a model room and watch a virtual tour.

It is not always possible to accommodate roommate requests.

Mixed-gender housing is an option that is affirming and supportive of LGBT+, transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary (TGNC) and ally students. Students who opt into gender inclusive housing will be able to live with other students who have also opted into gender-inclusive housing, regardless of biological sex or gender identity/expression. Your roommate will be anyone that has also opted into gender-inclusive housing, regardless of their gender.

Move-in is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Sunday, May 26, and Monday, May 27.

Move-out is after 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 2, and at 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 3.

First, students will need a valid driver’s license (with a photo) or a U.S. Passport to pick up their Comet Card. If students do not have either of these documents, students will need to bring an alternative form of a photo ID (such as a high school ID card) and a government-issued document such as a Social Security card or birth certificate to pick up their Comet Card.

Clark Peer Advisors are student employees who provide Clark Scholars with personal, academic and housing-related support throughout the nine-week program. Clark PAs are often former “Clarkies” or a part of other programs within the Honors College.

Please refer to the What To Bring list.

Yes, your family can visit. Make sure everyone understands that you have an obligation to work Monday though Friday, as well as attend events. They cannot stay in your room without the approval of your roommates, and they may not stay more than two consecutive nights in the residence hall. Family and friends cannot be left alone in your room because it violates your room agreement.

No. Pets are not allowed in University Commons during the summer. Accommodations for emotional support and assistance animals are handled through the AccessAbility Resource Center (ARC) and Residential Life. Requests must be made in writing through the ARC website.

This varies from lab to lab. Goggles and slippers may be required for service animals in certain biology and chemistry labs. Please email us at clark@utdallas.edu for more details.