Roswell Senior Named Promising Scholar

publication date: May 12, 2008

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author/source: Roswell Beacon

Roswell High School student Akanksha Rajeurs was one of 15 high school seniors in Georgia honored as Promising Scholars by the University of Georgia’s Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO).

The students honored by CURO for their scholastic achievements were invited to UGA for a two-day program, which included attending the 2008 CURO symposium, held at the end of March, where more than 200 UGA students presented their research projects.

During their visit to UGA, the high school seniors had the opportunity to spend the day with current CURO apprentices – UGA freshmen and sophomores who work one-on-one with faculty mentors on year-long projects in various disciplines.

Panel discussions with UGA faculty from the life sciences, social sciences and humanities were also part of the activities. These selected faculty mentors introduced the Promising Scholars and their parents to the rigors and expectations of the undergraduate research experience, including the advantages of becoming involved with research as early as possible in college.

“CURO Promising Scholars are heavily recruited by top colleges and universities across the country, including UGA,” said Pamela Kleiber, associate director of UGA’s Honors Program, who coordinates the CURO programs. “The experience of attending the CURO symposium and meeting current UGA students who are doing research with our premier faculty usually tips the scales toward their decision to come to UGA with a CURO apprenticeship and admission to the Honors Program.”

Rajeurs said she appreciated the chance to find out more about undergraduate research. “Undergraduate research is very important for me because it helps me meet people who are passionate about the same kinds of things as I am,” she said. “It also lets me start doing research as a freshman and I can quickly become accustomed to the time and commitment of research early on. So CURO provides a great opportunity for underclassmen.”