Hawai‘i Archaeological Research Project

I have just a few more questions about applying to HARP. In regards to the reference forms, is there a specification as to what two people fill them out? Do they need to both be professors or not? Also, does any kind of application fee need to be sent along with the application materials?

It is usually in your favor to have professors act as references. However, they do need to know you well enough to be able to write an insightful recommendation. You could have one from someone outside of academia, but since this is an academic program their recommendation might not be as relevant - make sure to have them write it accordingly. We need to know why you are interested in the program as a young scholar, and also acquire a general sense of how you’d fit into our project as a person. There is no application fee for applying.

On the HARP website I noticed that the NSF-REU funded HARP program costs 1500 dollars to enter. I was under the impression that NSF programs were free of costs and included stipends. Could you explain the costs and stipends (if any) of the NSF-REU funded HARP program?

The fee that you must pay to attend the Hawai`i REU covers your room, board, and local travel costs - expenses that are not directly covered by administrative NSF funding (on this REU site or others). Most REU sites require participants to pay for room and board at a university. Ours is a bit different because we are in a “field” situation on the Big Island and have built these costs into our program budget.

This is why a stipend is awarded to all students who gain admission into the REU program. It is to cover your costs and expenses, including room, board, and local travel (which, again, we organize and arrange for everyone as a group). Though you pay part of that stipend right back to us (instead of to a university, college, cafeteria, etc), there are extra monies that will cover your incidentals and, effectively, make the program free of cost for you to attend. Hope that clarifies everything for you - good luck!

I have a few questions that you might be able to answer. I have already applied to… [another] field program… If I do not get into this program, I am definitely planning on applying to the Hawai’i Archaeological Research Project. My question is, should I apply for HARP now, or wait until I hear back? Also, for the HARP program, does a transcript need to be sent?

There are a few good reasons to make the effort and apply to the HARP program, regardless of other field school opportunities that do or don’t come along. If you are selected to receive a NSF-REU scholarship you’ll receive recognition (as it is an “award”) as well as good financial support. Our program will be filling about eight funded slots this summer and is an unparalleled opportunity in that respect. Unfortunately, transcripts are required, and make sure you’re eligible (undergrad, U.S. citizen). Good luck!

I was looking through the applications to the HARP program and I
noticed that they were still addressed to Dr. Graves. I was under
the impression that he transferred to a different university. Is
there a new person and address that I should mail the application to?
Also, I did not see any minimum requirements listed on the site. If
any exist, could you please email them to me? Thank you very much.

You’re right - he’s now at the University of New Mexico. However, HARP remains very much the same, including his leadership. Your paperwork comes to UH so that, pending acceptance, it can be processed here at our Outreach College. Dr. Graves (as well as Dr. McCoy) will still be in charge of all admissions. So for all intents and purposes: same person, same project, same address.

We have no “minimum” requirements (aside from undergraduate status or higher) - the onus is on the student to demonstrate how his or her past experience qualifies or indicates potential for benefiting from involvement with our project. This is reflected in our application by sections that ask you to list “relevant” coursework, as well as the essay. While some background in anthropology and archaeology is important, it’s more about the entire package. Remember, you’ll be competing against other undergraduates for the NSF-REU, most of whom probably don’t have a lot of “direct” experience with archaeology in Hawai’i. Be creative and tie what you do and are interested in to what you can read about our project on the website, in articles by Graves and others, and in the general literature for Hawai’i.

This blog is supplemental to our “official” website. If you are interested in learning more about our research project, or interested to apply as a crew member, please visit:

http://www.anthropology.hawaii.edu/projects/HARP/