Student FAQ’s
Semester Application
Applications will reopen in August.
Summer Internship Application
Our summer internship runs from the last week of May to the first week of August. We are currently accepting applications until February 20, 2024.
Do I need previous research experience?
Absolutely not! We have the tools and experience to help you grow from the ground up. The only requirement is excitement about research.
What does an undergrad RA do?
Undergraduate research assistants start by supporting upper-level students in data collection. Students interested in publication are invited to support advanced RA’s in project design and composition. We can offer additional support for those seeking to build skills in academic writing and literature review.
Can I get an upper-level degree with your lab?
Absolutely! Our PI, Dr. Francys Subiaul, has a joint appointment in Speech and Language Hearing Sciences and Anthropology. You would be able to pursue a Master’s or PhD in either department. To apply to Francys’ lab through Anthropology, your application would go through CASHP, which hosts the Hominid Paleobiology degree program. Please contact Francys via email at subiaul@gwu.edu to inquire able Fall applications.
I’m not a GW student
We are happy to welcome students from all universities and experience levels! We would not be able to offer compensation to non-GW students, as we only offer federal work-study. We strongly encourage you to see if your institution offers an unpaid internship opportunity. We have listed some below.
Note: This is not a comprehensive list. Please check to see if your school has an unpaid internship.
School Without Walls
We gladly welcome all SWW students! Please submit an application.
Applying to the Subiaul Social Cognition Lab
What do you look for in essays?
Good science is collaborative science. When picking a teammate, we look at the following:
- Are you a good teammate?
- What are your values?
- What is your work ethic like?
Essays are one of the only ways we get to know you as a person; it’s important to show who you are rather than telling us. A short anecdote goes a long way in helping readers learn about you.
We prioritize curiosity above research experience. What does that mean?
By curiosity, we are interested in knowing what academic questions interest you. Did you read a paper that inspires a line of inquiry you want to follow?
What are the expectations for research assistants?
- 5 to 10 hrs during the workweek
- At least one continuous 4-hour block of availability, once weekly
- Attendance at lab meetings, once weekly
- Collecting data in child and/or dog cognition research once weekly
- Video coding (the conversion of video data into numeric data)
How should I prepare for my interview?
We strongly recommend that you visit the career services webpage, either GW’s or that of your academic institution. Carefully review all communications sent from the social.cognition@gwu.edu and/or canine.cognition@gwu.edu email accounts.
Semester Application: Apply Here
Applications will reopen in August. Please subscribe in the bottom right corner.