National School on Neutron & X-ray Scattering

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply to the school?
The target audience is graduate students attending North American universities.

Due to the amount of time required to obtain clearance for site access to Argonne and Oak Ridge National Labs, we can not consider applications from students with a citizenship from, a birthplace of, or sponsored or employed by a country that is a 'state sponsor of terrorism' (as defined by the U.S. Department of State). These are currently Iran, Syria, Sudan, & Cuba.

What is the acceptance rate for applicants?
The program is highly over-subscribed. In the most recent years the acceptance rate has been about 30%.

If rejected one year, is it worthwhile to apply again?
Yes. Especially students who had only just started their Ph.D. program at the time of their first application are encouraged to apply again.

Can I attend the school more than once?
No. It is the intention that students only attend once.

When will the lectures start?
Students are expected to arrive on Saturday August 10th. The lectures will start on Sunday August 11th.

What expenses are covered?
Travel, lodging and meals will be covered for graduate students accepted into the program.

If accepted, can I miss part of school (start late or leave early) due to other commitments (beamtime for experiments, etc.)?
No. We expect all accepted participant to attend during the full two week.