Answers to Commonly Asked Questions about the LDEO Summer Intern Program

(There are many different sponsors who fund the students, but all students are considered LDEO Summer Interns)

1. Is the Lamont Doherty Summer Intern Program sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF Oceanography REU Sites program with the theme: Global Databases) only for students from Columbia and Barnard? The answer is a decided NO! The Lamont Doherty Summer Intern Program is open to students from any college and university. Applicants must be American citizens or permanent residents of the United States. The Earth Intern Program (which runs concurrently) is restricted to students from Barnard College, Columbia College, and Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science. The Earth Intern Program does accept students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
2. Why should I choose the Lamont Summer Intern Program? Lamont has world-class scientists in many scientific disciplines: climate modeling, paleo-climatology, biogeochemistry, marine geophysics, marine geology, physical oceanography, seismology, marine biology, isotope geochemistry, etc. The internship at Lamont allows you to work one on one with these scientists, rather than as one of many students in a classroom setting. With a relatively modest time investment of ten weeks, you can discover if you enjoy scientific research and if you would like being a graduate student.
3. Where will I live and what will it be like? Most students choose to accept the free air-conditioned housing that is provided. The students live in suites on the Barnard College campus, directly across the street from the Columbia College campus. Each suite has a common kitchen area and a shared bathroom facility. Every dorm room has a phone. We loan the members of each suite cooking utensils for the summer. Students are responsible for returning them clean and accounted for at the end of the summer. The program does not provide bedding, you must bring your own. There is no cafeteria program, students cook for themselves in the suite. If you prefer to live at home, you can do so. However, we find that the students who live in the dorm have a really great time interacting with one another and experiencing the environment of New York City. In addition, they learn from each other about the research projects that they are working on during the day.
4. How will I get to work each day? There is a shuttle service between Columbia/Barnard campus and Lamont. Interns will receive a bus pass that allows them to travel free on this bus. If you are living at home, it is sometimes possible to arrange to ride to work with another Lamont employee. If you live at home and live close to the Columbia/Barnard campus, you can use your bus pass to ride the bus.
5. What is Lamont like? Lamont is located between two New York State Parks on the top of the Palisades Cliffs, near the New York/New Jersey state line. The Lamont campus is wooded and green, with trees and lawns around the buildings. At different times of the week, members of the Lamont staff play soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and ultimate Frisbee during lunchtime. Summer Interns who are interested are encouraged to participate.
6. How many hours am I expected to work each week? The bus leaves Columbia each day at 8:10 and arrives at Lamont just before 9. The returning bus leaves to go back to Columbia every day at 5:10 p.m. You are expected to work Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you must be absent during the week, you should expect to make up the hours. You should not expect to take classes or to hold down another job during the period of your internship.
7. Is New York City safe? New York City is one of the safer of the major cities. Like all cities, it has wonderful things to see and do but requires appropriate attention to the surroundings. No location in the world is without its downsides. You will be given travel information and will learn to navigate the city. You will meet people from all over the world at Lamont. Most consider NYC to be one of the best things about being at Lamont. You will be issued an ID card that is required to enter the dorms. Most students have a great time exploring New York City during the summer.
8. Do I need to bring a car? No, all of New York City is easily accessible by public transportation. The nearest subway stop is less than a block from your dorm. If you do wish to bring a car, it will entail a bit of extra work. New York City has alternate side of the street parking zones that require you to move the car every day, usually during working hours. We recommend that students who have cars bring them to Lamont on Monday and leave them there during the week. A Lamont parking pass is free.

General Advice on the Application Process

1. If you are from Columbia or Barnard, apply to both the Earth Intern and the Ocean Sciences REU sites programs. The letters of recommendation and transcript(s) are the same for both. The application form for both is now on-line. Caveats:
   1. International Students are not eligible for the REU Sites program.
   2. Interest - You should only apply to both programs if you are interested in the research projects
2. Select a research project that interests you and that you are well qualified for as your first choice. Research advisors for each project select their own students. Qualifications and enthusiasm are both important.
3. Letters of recommendation should be from academic advisors. If you wish to include a letter from a coach or other non-academic reference, you should include two letters from your professors or high school teachers in addition to the letter from a non-academic reference. (You do not need more than 2 letters from academic advisors. The extra space on the application form is for those who wish to include a third reference.)
4. Prior research experience is NOT necessary for an application to the program. Do include a description of any prior research that you have done.
5. Some parts of the application process take more time than others. It can take up to 3 weeks to get an official college transcript. Faculty members need a few days or weeks notice to write a letter of recommendation. We therefore suggest that you apply in the following order:
   1. read enough about the research projects in the brochure(s) to be sure that the research conducted at Lamont really interests you,
   2. apply for an official transcript to be sent to Dr. Dallas Abbott at Lamont,
   3. ask two faculty members or other academic advisors to write you a letter of recommendation,
   4. write your statement of interest,
   5. make a pdf file of your resume if you don’t have one already, and
   6. fill out the application form for the LDEO summer intern program.

Typical Schedule of a Lamont Summer Intern

Weekdays:

Rise and get to the Lamont bus stop by 8:10 A.M.

When you arrive at Lamont, you can go to the cafeteria to get some breakfast then head over to a lecture, if scheduled or to work on your research.

(Tuesdays and Thursdays: One hour lecture plus questions: lecture given by a Lamont scientist.)

Rest of day: Research interrupted by lunch!

Lunchtime: Ultimate Frisbee, basketball, soccer, and volleyball games are all available. Just show up and join in! Other lunchtime choices are short hikes in the woods around Lamont or sitting in the shade of a tree.

5:10 Take the bus back to the city.

Have dinner and enjoy the city.

Weekends:

Enjoy the city and your fellow interns.

Return to the Earth Intern Program Page (C.U. Students only)

Return to the Lamont Intern Program Page

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