Frequently Asked Questions
PARTICIPATING & APPLYING
Who can participate in the Symposium?
How do I apply to participate in the Symposium?
Can I make two presentations if I worked on two different projects?
Can a group of us offer one presentation?
Can I still present at the Symposium if I have a non-LMU faculty mentor?
What is an abstract and what are the requirements for the abstract?
Can I change or modify the title or abstract on my application after it has been submitted?
How are applications and abstracts reviewed?
PRESENTATION FORMATS
What are the requirements for posters?
When can I set up my poster?
What are the requirements for oral presentations?
What are the requirements if my presentation is in the performing or visual arts?
What equipment is available for my presentation?
AFTER YOU’VE BEEN ACCEPTED TO PRESENT AT THE SYMPOSIUM
Is financial support available if I need to purchase materials for my presentation?
Can I practice my presentation prior to the Symposium?
ON THE DAY OF THE SYMPOSIUM
If I am presenting, when do I need to arrive for the Symposium?
Who can attend the Symposium? Can I invite family and friends to come hear my presentation?
PARTICIPATING & APPLYING
Who can participate in the Symposium?
Every LMU undergraduate conducting a faculty-mentored research project or creative activity is eligible to participate in the Symposium.
How do I apply to participate in the Symposium?
Please submit the Symposium Application Form to symposium@lmu.edu by the Wednesday, February 16, 2011 deadline. Please also arrange for your mentor to submit the Mentor Form by this date.
Can I make two presentations if I worked on two different projects?
Yes. Students have the option to present more than once if they have different projects. However, a separate application is required for each project.
Can a group of us offer one presentation?
Yes. This would be considered a group presentation or panel discussion. For performing arts presentations, dance ensembles may not exceed 4 performers, and theatre ensembles may not exceed 5. Please note that all participants in the group must be LMU undergraduates.
Can I still present at the Symposium if I have a non-LMU faculty mentor?
Yes. Your mentor can be a faculty member at another institution or a senior researcher. Please note that, if this is the case, your application requires approval from the Chair or a faculty member of your Department.
What is an abstract and what are the requirements for the abstract?
The abstract is a brief summary of your paper or presentation. It includes an Introduction posing the purpose of your study, Background (why your study is important), Research Methods (if appropriate), Discussion and Conclusion. It should be one paragraph, be no longer than 250 words, and contain only text (no graphs, charts, or tables permitted). Please ensure that you review the abstract with your faculty mentor prior to submitting it with your application. Visit our Guidelines for Abstracts page for further details and samples from last year's symposium.
Can I change or modify the title or abstract on my application after it has been submitted?
Yes. You can change or modify information contained on your application. Once the faculty committee has reviewed your application, it may request certain modifications to your title or abstract as well.
How are applications and abstracts reviewed?
A committee of faculty members thoroughly reviews each application and abstract received. They determine whether it will be accepted for presentation at the Symposium, will be declined, or needs modification prior to a final decision.
PRESENTATION FORMATS
What are the requirements for posters?
They should be displayed as poster boards, whose height x width dimensions must be 3’ x 4’ or 4’ x 4’. Please notify us no later than March 5 if your poster will be larger than this. Posters must be readable from at least three feet away, the presentation title must be two inches high at a minimum, and the name(s) of the student presenter(s) and faculty mentor(s) must appear beneath the title with a height of at least once inch. Posters will be displayed on easels for the course of the event. Presenters should also be prepared to discuss their project and to answer questions from attendees during their assigned poster session.
When can I set up my poster?
Posters will be set up on Thursday, March 22, 2012, and will be on display until the Symposium concludes on Friday evening.
What are the requirements for oral presentations?
They should be fifteen minutes in length. Visual aids, such as a PowerPoint presentation, can be used. Please note that an additional two-three minutes will be allotted for a question-and-answer period.
What are the requirements if my presentation is in the performing or visual arts?
Performances may be up to fifteen minutes in length along with three minutes allotted for a question-and-answer period. Performances must be accompanied by an oral explanation of the work presented. Visual artwork may be displayed on tables or easels (both of which will be provided) for the course of the event and each artist should be prepared to discuss their work and to answer questions from attendees during their assigned session.
What equipment is available for my presentation?
All classrooms in University Hall are equipped with a PC, a DVD player, a 3D Document Camera, and a projector to display media from these devices. Each PC includes standard applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Windows Media Player. The McIntosh Center will also have a baby grand piano available for music presentations.
AFTER YOU’VE BEEN ACCEPTED TO PRESENT AT THE SYMPOSIUM
Is financial support available if I need to purchase materials for my presentation?
Limited funding (a maximum of $35.00 per presentation) may be requested for the purchase of materials that are needed to participate in the Symposium. To be considered for such funding, please submit a Funding Request Form by Monday, March 26, 2012 at 5:00pm to Carolynn Grainger in UHall 4820.
Can I practice my presentation prior to the Symposium?
You should practice your presentation in the presence of your faculty mentor. Additionally, you are encouraged to test equipment in your assigned classroom if you are scheduled to do an oral presentation or live performance. Special practice sessions will also be scheduled at the Hannon Library before the Symposium. Please see the Calendar of Events for more details.
ON THE DAY OF THE SYMPOSIUM
If I am presenting, when do I need to arrive for the Symposium?
You must arrive at the beginning of your scheduled session. However, you are encouraged to attend the entire course of the Symposium and you should plan to be present at the luncheon.
Who can attend the Symposium? Can I invite family and friends to come hear my presentation?
Everyone is encouraged to attend, including LMU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors, their family and friends, and the public.