SETI Institute REU and Education

What this program actually is

SETI Institute REU and Education is a pre-college run by SETI Institute. It's built for 9th–12th grade students who want to attend a pre-college program at SETI Institute in Astronomy.

The program runs for varies, based out of Mountain View, CA. There's no cost to participate. That covers the program itself — check the official page separately for whether travel, housing, or meals are included.

Who it's for

Programs like this get the strongest applications from students who can point to a specific reason they want this one — not just "any research program" or "any internship."

• Students in 9th–12th grade — check the official page for exact grade cutoffs before applying.
• Priority or eligibility for students in: CA. Some programs still take out-of-state applicants; read the fine print.
• Strongest fit for students already curious about: Astronomy. You don't need prior formal experience — curiosity beats credentials.

Typical day-to-day in programs like this

The following describes what participants generally do in pre-college programs of this shape — not a confirmed schedule for SETI Institute REU and Education. Always check the official program page for the actual activities.

• Engage with a structured program in your field of interest.
• Meet peers and mentors you wouldn't otherwise cross paths with.
• Leave with something concrete — a project, credential, network, or a clearer sense of what to do next.

How to apply well

Selection is competitive but not unrealistic. A thoughtful application usually beats a decorated one.

• This program lists rolling admissions rather than a single deadline — but "rolling" usually means spots or funding fill over time, so applying earlier is still an advantage. Don't wait for a deadline that may never come.
• Read the official page twice before writing anything. Note the exact prompts and word counts.
• Answer the actual question. Reviewers read hundreds of essays; specificity beats polish.

Cost, funding & logistics

Cost and logistics kill more applications than eligibility does. Sort these out before you get emotionally invested.

• Format: Hybrid — some remote, some in-person components.
• Duration: Varies.
• There's no cost to participate. That covers the program itself — check the official page separately for whether travel, housing, or meals are included.
• If travel or housing is required and cost is a concern, email the program directly and ask what aid is available. Programs rarely publish everything they can offer.

After the program

The most valuable thing you leave SETI Institute REU and Education with is usually not the credential — it's the two or three people you met and the one concrete thing you made. Keep in touch with your mentors and peers; they're the beginning of a professional network in Astronomy.

Add the program to your resume, but also write down (for yourself) what specifically you learned, what you'd do differently, and what question you now want to answer next. That reflection is what turns a summer into a direction.