FAQ
NOTE: This conference occurred in 2017. Please see the APS Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics site to get information about future conferences. This website is preserved for archival purposes.
CUWiP
What is CUWiP?
The APS Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP) are three-day regional conferences for undergraduate physics majors. The 2017 conferences will be held January 13-15.
The primary goal of the CUWiP conference is to help undergraduate women continue in physics by providing them with the opportunity to experience a professional conference, information about graduate school and professions in physics, and access to other women in physics of all ages with whom they can share experiences, advice, and ideas.
The 2017 program held at Harvard will include research talks, panel discussions about graduate school and careers in physics, workshops and discussions about women in physics, student research talks and poster session, and laboratory tours.
Who is invited to CUWiP?
For the last decade, Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP) has worked to help undergraduate women thrive in physics by providing them a unique opportunity to engage with and learn from other women in physics at all stages of their physics careers. At CUWiP, budding physicists will experience a professional conference, learn about graduate school and professions in physics, and share invaluable experiences, advice, and ideas with other women.
SPIN UP
What is SPIN UP?
Prior to the Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP) event held at Harvard, we will host the Supporting Inclusion of Underrepresented Peoples (SPIN UP) workshop. SPIN UP will bring together 50 undergraduates to support the inclusion of students who
are members of racial and ethnic minorities
are members of gender and sexual minorities
have physical, mental, or learning disabilities
are from low-income backgrounds
are first-generation college students
and/or are members of other underrepresented or underserved communities.
Who can attend SPIN UP?
You do not need to be a member of any of these groups to apply.
As space is limited, priority will be given to applicants who
submit their applications by 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 14.
apply to the CUWiP conference (this is a separate application, available here)
are from our regional area (MA, ME, NH, NY, RI)
but we will consider every application, even if you fall outside these criteria.
Because SPIN UP is a workshop designed to precede CUWiP, we strongly encourage all applicants to SPIN UP to apply to a CUWiP site. Applications for CUWiP sites opened September 1 on the APS website. We will send you a reminder to apply to CUWiP to the e-mail you enter on this application.
How do I apply to SPIN UP?
Applications are now closed. Thank you for your interest.
What does it cost to attend SPIN UP?
There is no cost to attend SPIN UP. We will provide lodging and food for all participants. Two students will share a room with two double beds. You may indicate roommate preferences during registration. If you need different accommodations, please email us at cuwip2017@g.harvard.edu.
Application and Registration
Who can attend?
Any undergraduate may apply. It is very important to complete all parts of the application and to write a thoughtful Applicant Statement. In case conferences are oversubscribed, priorities will be given to applicants who:
Are undergraduate physics majors
Have never attended an APS CUWiP
Are applying to attend the conference that is geographically closest to their expected location January 13-15, 2017. The CUWiP held at Harvard serves undergraduates in Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
I'm a student from Canada. Can I apply to a U.S. site?
Students from Canada are encouraged to apply to the McMaster U. site in Canada . Students from Canada may apply to closer U.S. sites if desired. However Canadian students accepted to U.S. sites are not eligible for reimbursement of travel expenses from the conference or for waiver of the registration fee.
Travel and Hotel
Can I come late? Can I leave early? Can I skip things that I’m not interested in?
It is expected that you will attend all of the conference events as scheduled. If you have special circumstances, please contact us to discuss them.
Where do I stay during the conference?
Students will be accommodated at one of two hotels in Harvard Square. Please visit our Travel & Accommodation page for more information. If you drive, information on where to park will be available soon. Two students will share a room with two double beds. You may indicate roommate preferences during registration. If you need different accommodations, please email us at cuwip2017@g.harvard.edu.
How can I get to and from the airport?
Please visit our Travel Page for more info on getting to Cambridge. If you plan to fly, please contact us before making your reservation.
When will I get reimbursed for travel?
If you anticipate needing travel funding from the conference (not your home department) please email us at cuwip2017@g.harvard.edu before the conference. After the conference, you can submit the reimbursement form that will be provided to you. For more details please contact us.
Miscellaneous
What if I have dietary restrictions?
We will request dietary restriction information on the registration form. If you have any questions, please contact us and we will work to accommodate you.
What should I wear to the conference?
We encourage attendees to dress for CUWiP as you would for any professional physics conference. There are a wide range of types of clothing that people wear to physics conferences. Most people dress more formally than in a t-shirt and jeans. Most also dress less formally than wearing a full suit, though some do, especially on the day that they present a talk or a poster. The most important thing is that you dress in a way that you are comfortable with, both physically and with respect to your culture and preferred style. APS gives some links to examples of dress styles that work well here, although these are just ideas, not a limiting list! It's very important to wear comfortable, winter-compatible shoes, especially during lab tours. If you're not sure whether a pair of formal shoes will give you blisters when worn for several long days in a row, bring along something less formal to change into if you need to. You should also bring layers that make it so you can be comfortable both in a variety of indoor temperatures and outdoors walking between the hotel and the meeting rooms.
What are the guidelines for posters and talks?
Students will have the option to present their research at a poster session and 15-minute talks. You can participate in one or the other, or both. We will ask for your preferred format during registration. Note that you do not need to know your title and abstract (or even if you want to present!) when you apply, we'll ask for all this information during registration later this fall.
What if I will be traveling with a young child?
Please contact us to discuss possible financial assistance for traveling with children.
Didn't see your question answered here? Contact us at cuwip2017@g.harvard.edu.