Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the summer school just nine weeks long? The duration of the summer school is limited by the funding provided to pay for the mentors’ time.  The schedule of mid-June through the second week in August is based on a compromise between schools that are on a semester system, which typically get out at middle - end of May, and schools on a quarter system that tend to get out later in June.  Note in 2006 we are extending the summer school from 8 weeks to nine weeks.

What will the weather be like? Los Alamos is located an elevation of approx. 7200 ft.  Mornings are bright and sunny, but toward the end of June it will cloud up almost every afternoon with local thunderstorms, as is typical throughout the Rocky Mountains.  High temperatures are typically in the mid 80’s.  It does get cool with temperatures as low as the high 50’s in the evening, particularly after a rain storm. (http://weather.lanl.gov)

Where do we meet the first day? We will meet at the Los Alamos Research Park (4200 Casa Grande Dr.) Suite 300 at 8:00 on the first day. (http://www.la-rp.org/)

How much will I be paid? You will be paid the same as regular undergraduate or graduate summer hires.  The pay will depend on the amount of school you have completed upon arrival at the summer school.  Pay rates for undergraduates and grad students (make sure you look at Technical series) are summarized at http://www.lanl.gov/education/undergrad/salary.shtml and http://www.lanl.gov/education/grad/salary.shtml

What about housing? Housing during the summer is always an issue because the Lab hires more than 1500 students during the summer.  We have reserved housing for the summer school students.  Upon acceptance into the program and your subsequent confirmation that you will attend, we will contact you regarding housing options.

Will I be reimbursed for travel expenses to and from the school? Yes, the Lab covers your travel cost to and from Los Alamos within certain limits. Reimbursement policies for students are summarized at (http://financial.lanl.gov/Accounting/travel/Regulations/graugsregs.shtml).

How long is the work day? Typically, the work day will begin at 8:00 AM and go to 5:00 PM.  The mentors will make arrangements to keep the facilities open longer if students feel they need additional time to work on their projects.  Also, the 4th of July is a holiday.

What computer resources will be available during the summer school? Each student will have their own desktop PC with MS Office, Matlab and all the Mathworks toolboxes, a finite element code, and an experimental modal analysis code.  In addition each project group will have a laptop computer for a Labview data acquisition system.

What project will I be assigned to? Because of the duration of the summer school, the students will be assigned to their projects by the mentors before May 1st.  By May 1st we will attempt to notify students by e-mail regarding the project they will work on, who their mentor will be and provide some background reading material.  However, the intent is that you will learn the majority of the material related to your project while you are at the summer school.  Also, note that in contrast to lab projects you have been engaged in during your undergraduate curriculum, these projects generally don’t have a “known” outcome and as such are much more representative of a research project that a graduate student would be involved with.

Do I need a car? A car is not absolutely necessary, but it will make life a lot easier for you (see advice from previous students).  Also, there are a lot of interesting place to visit around New Mexico that will require a car as public transportation is very limited in Los Alamos and throughout the state.  The summer school site is located about 2-3 miles from the portion of town where most student housing is located.  There is a taxi service that will take students from town to the summer school at no charge, but it is limited.  Generally, students have been very good about car pooling and giving rides to those that do not have a car.

What is unique about this summer school? Some of the unique aspects of this program include the projects that have a hands-on component, the lectures provided by world-renowned experts in the field of structural dynamics and access that the students have to these experts after their lectures, the field trips to some unique facilities, and developing and presenting a paper at an international professional conference.

What after hours activities are available? Los Alamos is a very small town with a population of about 14,000 people.  The town is surrounded by national forest and Indian reservations (Pueblos).  There is an abundance of outdoor activities that can be done locally including backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, golf, rock climbing and the highest altitude Olympic size swimming pool in the US.  The lab has a health club.  Santa Fe is about 35 miles away and is a big tourist attraction, hence it has a lot of restaurants and some nightlife.  See http://visit.losalamos.com and http://www.santafechamber.com/.  The advice from previous students suggests lots of activities for after hours.

Advice from Previous Students

Note: Many of the students have given advice about housing.  Housing arrangements have changed each year so some of the advice related to this topic may no longer be applicable. Also, Los Alamos now has a movie theater.

Deenna Abou-Trabi, 2005

• Plan activities each week with other summer school students, for example, Friday night BBQ's
• Bring a bicycle
• Get a Smith's card
• Order the sweet potato sticks at The Hill Diner
• Visit Bandelier
• Drink plenty of water
• Join the YMCA
• Eat at China Star Buffet in Santa Fe
• Bring your own vacuum
• Go to the hot springs in the Jemez Mountains

Mike Guthrie, 2005

• Bring a fan, the apartments are not air conditioned
• Get a Smith's card, it will save you a lot of money
• Have cookouts with other summer school students on the weekends
• Cities of Gold Casino is about 15 minutes away, they have poker tournaments every day
• The hot springs in the Jemez Mountains are nice

Paul Real, 2005

• Live with all the other students on Iris; it's more fun.
• Go to Santa Fe and check out the art galleries. The quality of work is high.
• You don't have as much time to complete your project as you think.

Hunter Moore, 2005

• Make sure you go and see something new and different every weekend, and invite as many people to go with you as you can.
• Bring your Kroger card or get a Smith’s card (they are the same company) because it’ll save you a lot of money.
• Setup cookouts on Friday evenings with the entire summer school (invite the mentors).
• Bring your bike if you have one and talk to people about where to go, there are tons of places to hike and bike.
• Ask the mentors and Chuck where to go on weekends since most of them live here.
• If you can, bring a car, you’ll appreciate it once you get here (although it’s not a necessity)
• Jump into your project early, eight weeks goes by faster than you can imagine.
• Bring casual clothes for work.

Manny Gonzales, 2005

• Los Alamos is heaven for the outdoorsman. If you're a city girl/boy, then you might have some trouble adjusting. Take hikes through some of the scenic trails or take some walks around the forest.
• If you have a bike, you will fit in quite nicely here!
• If you can, drive up here so that you will have easy access to the surrounding areas (Albuquerque is quite nice. Santa Fe is a really nice place to visit if you're into art) and tourist attractions.
• Start on the paper early, as the lectures will take up a great amount of your time. Start with a good pace on your project and don't give up. Times can get rough, so develop a good team dynamic and just keep the momentum going on your projects!

Tom Overly, 2005

• Bring your sandals, hiking boot, tent, sleeping bag and bike if you can.  Clubs if you golf.
• Hike up to the top of Wheeler Peak and have a beer at The Bavarian on your way down (if you are old enough).
• Carlsbad and Whitesands are worth seeing, take a whole weekend and go camping.
• Learn, there are some smart people here.  Talk to the guest lectures, good people to know.

Ben Kosbab, 2005

• Bring hiking boots and your bike; explore the area.
• Understand your project as much as possible before arriving.  Read the references your mentor may send.
• Pay attention to all the lectures...you never know what will be applicable to your project.
• Bring your favorite textbook references.
• Live close to the other students and interact outside of work.
• Don't feel bad if it seems your project is impossible: it just might be.

Greg Graf, 2005

• Be really active on your weekends, there are a lot of things to see nearby and most of them are really interesting.
• Get as much done on your project near the beginning of the program as possible, as things really start getting crazy near the end.
• Try a white hot chocolate from Hot Rocks
• If you want somewhere fairly fancy to eat, go for Trinity Beverage Company instead
• Bring a car... you'll be happier... and a bike.  Don't leave it locked up outside somewhere overnight, it may not be there in the morning
• The fireworks in White Rock for the 4th of July are really good.

Jared Collins, 2005

• Eat at the Hill dinner and get the sweet potato sticks don't listen to anyone else they are the best thing in Los Alamos.
• Bring a car, although everything in Los Alamos is within walking distance, you will want to leave and go to Santa Fe or hiking during the weekend.
• Go to the Canyon Bar and Grill on Thursday night for karaoke.  Everyone goes and everyone is bad, but it is fun.
• Try the Frappes at Hot Rocks.
• Get a Smith's card.  The nearest Wal-Mart is a thirty minute drive and it is a mad house.  I would rather spend a couple of dollars more than go though the hassle of the Wal-Mart here.
• Bring some fans.  None of the apartments have AC.  But don't worry it is not that bad.
• Join the YMCA, you also get access to the highest Olympic size pool in the United States.
• Go to some cookouts every Friday. 

Catherine Whyte, 2005

• Throughout the summer, I went on many great weekend trips.  My favorite was camping in White Sands National Park and watching the sunrise.  I also recommend driving the high road between Taos and Santa Fe and visiting all the art galleries along the way.  The Apple Tree restaurant in Taos had some excellent mango chicken enchiladas.  I spent a lot of time browsing through shops in Santa Fe in and around the main plaza.
• I recommend bringing your bicycle or just hiking on the many trails around Los Alamos.  Biking up the ski hill is a fun challenge.  Also around LA, you should check out the Canyon Bar on Thursday night for karaoke.  De Colores has the best sopapillas EVER!
• At the lab, I found that there was not nearly as much time for the project as I expected.  Lectures were 8:00-9:30 and 3:30-5:00 most days.  Just be sure to be efficient with your time and don’t be afraid to ask your mentors lots of questions.  The other mentors were always glad to help with our projects as well.

Andrew Schwartz, 2005

• Bring a car.  It is difficult to get around without one.  Constantly begging for rides is unpleasant.  The lab more than compensates you for the wear and tear you put on your car driving out here.
• Ask the mentors where to go one the weekends.  Hiking Mt. Wheeler was outstanding and it would never have occurred to me just by looking at the map.
• Bring well broken in hiking boots and a Camelback; the hiking opportunities are really amazing.  Very strenuous hikes are available for those that like that sort of thing.
• Try to hit all of the restaurants in town.  Not one of them is good enough to write home about, but there is some surprising variety.
• Try to live in the same building as the rest of the group... and keep your door open.

Matt Nothnagel, 2005

• First and foremost, 8 weeks might seem like a lot of time, but there are always delays, so try and work out a flexible schedule with plenty of extra time built in to it. You’ll need to play catch up sometimes.
• If you like hiking, you’ll love it here. Get a couple of people together and you can hike every weekend. Work your way up to bigger ones like Mt. Wheeler, and for a lot of fun, plan a weekend trip to the Grand Canyon. It might seem a long ways away, but traffic moves along quickly on the interstates here. Carlsbad Caverns is another good destination, about 5 hours away depending on your driving speed. If you want to do some of the really fun caving trips, check online early to make reservations. The wait was around 6 months this summer.
• For entertainment in town, try the Canyon bar on Thursday nights. Inexpensive beer and karaoke can be fun, especially if you try singing in groups instead of solos. Don’t worry; no one’s very good at it here.
• If you can, drive here. It pays well, and you need a car to get a lot of places out of town.
• The housing office says you can’t get high-speed internet, but try asking Comcast (the cable provider) anyway, they can usually set you up with a separate account. Get a wireless router, and split the cost with four or five people in the apartment. It’s cheaper than dial-up at that point, and a whole lot more useful.
• Along with the hiking above, bring a bike if you can. There are some great trails around here, both on road and off.
• Check out the YMCA on Iris Street and 15th Street. It might seem unnecessary with the gym at the lab, but the membership gets you access to the aquatic center, as well as discounts on a lot of the extra activities they have at both places.
• We’ve had a barbeque every Friday night at the park. Get some people to buy stuff, and have everyone chip in to pay for it. Play some football or ultimate Frisbee, or something like that, and get to know your group members and the other students. Invite the mentors because they’re a lot of fun, and they might just buy food for everyone too.

Adam Cardi, 2005

• Bring a car if you can.  There are many outdoor activities in this region of the country that require driving to get to them.
• Don’t be afraid if you don't know anything about experimental vibrations, all of the staff here is extremely patient and helpful, and there are introductory lectures to bring you up to speed.
• Most groups wind up finishing their projects at the last minute, so the more you know about your project going into the summer the faster you can get started.
• This school exposes you to many of the big names in vibrations, which could be helpful in choosing a graduate school. 

Eric Flynn, 2005

• Everyone is probably saying it, but make friends early.  Better yet, be the social organizer.  Los Alamos is a small isolated town, but bearable when you have lots of people to do things with.
• If you're not an outdoor person, become one, or at least give it a shot.  Los Alamos is one of the best areas I've seen for hiking, biking, and camping.  Not only is it a good way to make friends, but you can get into amazing shape this altitude.
• Build a game plan for your project early.  This doesn't mean you have to make a full fledged gant chart, but set out a few goals ahead of time.  Divide up the tasks among the different members, but come together on important topics.  This will help you complete your project on time and to a satisfactory level.
• This is your research project, don't wait for your advisor to tell you to do something before doing it.  If you take control of the project yourselves, you'll feel a much greater sense of ownership and pride at its completion.  However, remember that your mentors and the other employees of the lab make great references, they know a lot, that's why they're here.

Dan Backman, 2005

• New Mexico has some incredibly interesting and beautiful attractions like White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns.  Ask the mentors about these places and do not worry about how long it takes to drive to these places.  It will be worth the drive.
• If you enjoy biking, camping, rock climbing or any outdoor activity, bring your equipment if you can.  Most likely there will be someone else that enjoys doing the same thing and New Mexico has some of the most spectacular places to do these activities.
• Get all the students together on Friday evenings and have barbeques at Ashley Pond.  Invite the mentors to come too.  It helps everyone to get to know each other better and will make your stay in Los Alamos much more enjoyable.

Jake Pretko, 2005

• BBQ's will help everyone get to know each other.  We did ours on Friday nights in the park.  If you get a chance, invite Pete to one.
• There's not a whole lot to do in Los Alamos, but if you're an outdoors kind of person, get some hiking information from the Chamber of Commerce.  There's a whole lot to do.
• Check out Carlsbad Caverns if you can on 4th of July weekend.  On the way back, check out the alien Parade.
• Definitely check out White Sands if you get a chance.
• The Canyon Bar and Grill has karaoke night on Thursdays, check it out and don't be afraid to sing (everyone is really bad anyway)
• Don't be afraid to ask questions of mentors, they are here to help and are very good at what they do.
• Bring only like 1 or 2 nice shirts and some jeans.  I wore shorts and a t-shirt every day except when we visited Sandia Labs. 
• The best investment I made this summer was a Camelbak.  If you enjoy hiking, I definitely recommend at least a 2 liter, if not 3.
• Lastly, stay focused on your project- 8 weeks may seem like a lot of time, but it really isn't.

Tracy Van Zandt, 2004

• Try to get in touch with your fellow students before you get here, it will help relieve some of your stress about moving far from home for the summer.
• Try to use your time wisely early in the summer. Eight weeks seems like a lot of time in the beginning, but you'll be busy with lectures and you may not have time to do as much as you would like later on.
• Remember that the summer school is fun! You're here to learn, and work with some very talented people, but you will definitely also have time to relax and enjoy yourself.
• If you have more questions, ask Chuck for the email addresses of former students, most of us should be happy to talk to you about the program and what to expect.

John McFarland, 2004

• Every Thursday night is karaoke night at the Canyon Bar and Grill.  This is by far the most fun you can possibly have at Los Alamos.
• Go to Roswell for the 4th of July.  The alien parade is fun.  I'm not joking.
• Dress here is very casual.  Don't bring your suit.

Laura Jacobs, 2004

• Document your work as you go along, you never know when you might have to stop working on your project.
• Invite Pete to barbecues, he's fun and will provide the food.
• There is a bike swap the Saturday before the program starts which has some good bikes if you  don't have room to bring your own.
• Take a road trip over the 4th of July weekend.  There are a lot of amazing places to see that take more than just a regular length weekend to see.  The Carlsbad Caverns are cool.
• For those of you that have never lived in a desert, remember that it gets cold at night.

Adam Rosenbaum, 2004

• After you get used to the altitude, hike the Mitchell Trail, the trail head is on the north side of town and its really a great hike.
• Camel Rock Casino is about 15 minutes away.  It has $3 Blackjack and a decent buffet.
• Go check out the Black Hole store/museum/surplus store, and talk to Ed while you are there.
• You have some great resources in the faculty, and staff here. You can get valuable advice in some random social settings as well as in lectures.
• Check out the Bradbury museum.
• Drive around and see the area.
• The summer school is supposed to be overwhelming for the first 4 weeks or so (you learn a lot that way).

Nick Stites, 2004

• Read about the summer school program on the website.
• Send your official transcript with your spring semester grades so that you get the proper wages.
• Go to the Bradbury Science Museum.
• Attend Pete's BBQ's.
• A car is helpful.
• Hang out with the other students as much as possible.  Basketball at the high school is very fun, just be careful.  The court is extremely slick.
• Bring  binoculars.  The Caldera (a short drive) is full of hundreds of elk.

Amy Askin, 2004

• Don't be afraid of what you don't understand about your project.  The sooner you jump in, the sooner you will begin to understand.
• Spend lots of time with the other LADSS students outside of work.  You never know who you might meet and how they might surprise you.
• Take full advantage of Karaoke night at the Canyon.  Look for Jeff singing "Mustang Sally"; he is awesome!  And don't worry if you aren't very good, neither is anyone else.

Kennan Crane, 2004

• Make sure to take advantage of the mentors' knowledge of grad school and fellowship application procedures.  Their career paths also provide a great insight into planning for the future.  For the 8 weeks you're here, the mentors are doubtlessly the best resource you have, and they are very willing to take the time to talk to you.  Avail yourself of their experience.

Ken Marek, 2004

• Have some barbecues, and d-d-d-defin-definitely invite the mentors
• We students all dressed up a little the first day in spite of having been told about the casual dress.  Chuck (our intrepid leader) came in shorts.  Really, one pair of nice clothes will probably get you through the summer (we all dressed a little better for the trip to Sandia Labs, and I went ahead and looked slick and dashing for the Santa Fe opera)
• As a caveat to the above, the shirt you wear the first or second day is going to be the one you're wearing on your badge.  In case it matters to you.
• Ask Chuck and the mentors if you need ideas for weekend plans.  There are several trails up on hwy 4 toward (and past) the caldera, for starters.  The bookstore by the Bradbury sells trail guides (although I didn't get one).  Also, if you're here the weekend before the program starts and get bored, you might want to check out the Bradbury and Historical Museums downtown and Fuller Lodge.  I think they open at 1pm on the weekends.
• Pete likes to play racquetball, and there are courts at the Y.
• A lot of places here aren't open for the weekends.  Get used to it.  The nearest Wally World is in Española.

Scot Hart, 2004

• Plan an after work activity the VERY first day. Helps you get to know each other and can be a lot of fun. (We did ultimate frisbee.)
• There is an outdoor concrete basketball court and a practice field for soccer or frisbee at the high school.
• If you drive to Los Alamos bring a board game or two and a deck of cards. Host a “game night.”
• Try a breakfast burrito at Java Rocks in the Research Park or at The Chile Works in town as soon as possible. I suggest bacon and green chile.
• Range balls at the golf course are cheap, and with the high altitude they fly. Bring your clubs if you can.
• The lookout in White Rock is well worth the 10 min. drive, like a mini-Grand Canyon.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY: Make your own fun. There are always things to do and see if you just think about it a bit.

Michael Conboy, 2004

• Eight weeks is not a lot of time, especially when you have no experience related to your project. Use your time wisely because you never know what problems may arise—for instance, a lab wide shutdown.
• The lab has great resources, so soak up as much as you can while you’re here—be a sponge.
• Make sure to hike or mountain bike the trails surrounding Los Alamos. The ruts worn in the Tuff (volcanic debris) are unique.
• Get together with other students. We played basketball, ultimate Frisbee, and barbequed frequently.
• The alien festival in Roswell is not worth the trip unless you also see Carlsbad Caverns or White sands. 

Jeff Ching, 2004

• Los Alamos is not as hot and dry as I thought it would be, at least from my personal experience. There has been quite a few quick thunderstorms, so pack accordingly.
• The Carlsbad Caverns is a nice place to visit, and is on the way to Roswell, but the drive is quite long (6-7 hours to Carlsbad).
• The shops around town closes early (around 5-7 PM), but I am sure future students will find something to do at night.
• Also, do not worry about having a car. I came here without a car, but the students gave/offer rides to all the events.
• There is one karaoke/bar in town, and its a fun place to visit.
• If you have backpacking gear, bring it.
• If you are looking to join a gym besides the laboratory gym, choose the YMCA.
• Bring sunscreen, because there are a lot of beautiful places to hike in/near Los Alamos. Bring a mountain bike too.
• Also, the dress code at work is very casual. I usually wear the same shorts and t-shirt for a week.
• Lastly, if anyone watches the Simpsons, Los Alamos resembles the town Homer moves to when he accepts a job at another nuclear power plant (the episode with the James Bond look-alike).

Jeffrey Hodgkins, 2003

• Well, there isn’t much to do around town except to eat at very few restaurants (make sure you know how to cook a few things).  Don’t worry about not being able to get anywhere in town.  If you stay at the UNM housing on 9th street, everything is within walking distance (restaurants, supermarket, Starbucks, and a small department store). 
• It is probably a good idea to bring some money with you because it takes about three weeks before you will get a check, so you don’t want to be racking up a credit card bill like I did.  Make sure that you set up your Internet access as soon as you arrive in your apartment because it takes about a week to get it set up.  A computer is not necessary here.  The lab will supply you with a really nice computer.
• If you have a car and you live close enough to drive it BRING IT!!!  Or else become friends with someone with a car so that you have a way out of town and to work (The shuttle service has something to be desired).
• Santa Fe is a cool place to go to eat as well as just hang out for the day.  If you have a bike, bring it.  If you are from the east coast, like myself (Massachusetts), send the bike.  There are incredible trails right in town that you can injure yourself on (wear gloves and your helmet).  Hiking around in some of the surrounding national parks is a must; make sure you bring proper footwear for this.  Make sure that you bring a camera.  The scenery in New Mexico is amazing and you don’t want to miss any of it.  Make sure you become social outside of the lab with the other summer school students.  The friends that you make here will last a lifetime.  Finally, make sure you keep bugging Pete Avitabile to tell you all of his great stories.
• And have fun….Stay out of the incredibly uncomfortable heat.

Karl Erikson, 2003

• There is one supermarket in town.  Try to live near it.
• Watch out for UNM-LA's housing office.  They'll charge you for May rent even if you don't arrive until June.
• Bring a mountain bike.  There are off-road trails all over the place.  There is a group that rides from the Sullivan Field parking lot (near the intersection of Diamond and Canyon) at 5:30 on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  If you're into road riding, there is a group that does time trials every Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm, starting at the ice rink below the bridge.
• If you bring a bike, also bring a pump.  If you ride a lot, stock up on supplies before coming out.  Prices are very steep at the local bike shop.
• Remember sunscreen.  It's not terribly hot, but those from sea level will find themselves burning very quickly.
• Taking a two or three day trip to the UFO festival in Roswell is a fun way to spend the 4th of July weekend.  There are lots of interesting things to see in the Roswell area.  You might even spot a UFO!

Kelly Brinkley, 2003

• Get out of the ‘Los Alamos Science Bubble’ every once and a while and experience New Mexican culture.
• Borrow the projector from Chuck and have outdoor movie nights.
• UNM Housing is not open on the weekends so make arrangements to get your room opened prior to arrival.
• No internet at UNM housing, sign up for a 30 min time slot at the Mesa Library.
• Dress:  super casual.  First day and presentations were the only time we dressed up. 
• Walmart and the movie theater are in Espanola…30 min away.
• Take a night hike up at the ski hill.
• Host barbeques and occasionally invite your mentors….they are more fun after work.

Kenton Lee, 2003

• Los Alamos has some beautiful mountain scenery and lots of trails so bring hiking   gear and don’t forget sunscreen.  Also mountain biking is really big here if you’re into that. 
• You will have to go to Santa Fe to do any city activities.  There is one grocery store, a few restaurants and small businesses and that is it. 
• Los Alamos is over 7000 ft above sea level so it may take you a few weeks to adjust to the thinner air.
• If you set up a dial up ISP most of Santa Fe is a local call.
• The learning opportunities make this summer school one of the best ways you could spend your summer.  You will learn a tremendous amount both working on your project and through the lectures.

Jan Goethals, 2003

• If it is possible to have a car in Los Alamos, take one.  There are so many beautiful places to see in northern New Mexico that are only a few hours from Los Alamos.  Also, Santa Fe is a fun place to go for food and entertainment.
• Violas, which is in an old KFC building on Central, has good chicken tacos.
• July 4th 2003 was the Roswell, New Mexico UFO Festival.  If you wanted to see Roswell, this is the way to do it.
• Los Alamos has a great public library.  It’s a good place to use the Internet, get travel books about New Mexico, and retreat from your 103-degree apartments.
• If you are interested in climbing and hiking around northern New Mexico, http://www.losalamos.org/climb/zLAMC.html is a good website with a lot of information and trail guides.  The Los Alamos Mountaineers, the group who supports this site, have monthly talks.  Sometimes they are really interesting. Along these same lines, get a good hiking book.

Michael Damianakis, 2003

• Read up a little on your project before you get here.   The work schedule is very tight and you will find yourself wanting more time at the end.
• If you live in Los Alamos there is nothing to do after work.  I recommend joining the local YMCA.  They have an excellent facility, and it is less than 2 blocks from the 9th St. apartments.  You will meet tons of people there who are in the same situation as you, i.e. only in town for the summer and looking for stuff to do.  Your physical abilities will be significantly reduced if you are coming from sea level, due to the 7000+ elevation here.
• Its nice to have a car, but you don’t need one because everything in town is within walking distance.  If you network properly you will be able to bum rides to Santa Fe, etc.
• See the sites, such the SETI array, Carlsbad caverns, white sands, etc.

Kai Yu, 2003

• Although we were charged for May rent to reserve housing in the UNM-LA dorms, it was nice for everyone to be close together to do things together like barbeques
• Having a car is very useful, especially near the end of the project, when you may work longer hours or go in at weekends.
• Los Alamos gets some lightning storms, so be prepared for some rain.
• Internet access is available at the local library.

Steven Holman, 2003

• This town can be truly boring if you do not have something to do in the afternoon and on weekends (at least for students new to the town).  Therefore, either ride your bike, join a gym or find something else to do.
• Espanola and Sante Fe are fairly close.  “Park and Ride” offers weekday travel for $1.oo/one-way trip (I think).
• Host BBQ’s and invite the mentors and staff.  They all are very nice and easy to get along with.
• Internet access at the public library is very limited.  Either find an ISP and a phone line, or plan on going to the LANL library.

Eddie Simmers, 2003

• Car mechanics in Los Alamos charge $180 per hour.  Fix your car before you come.
• Bring money to spend before you get your first check.
• If you rent from UNM-LA, make sure you read the fine print.
• If you live near your group, you will have more fun.
• Plan to do something outdoors each weekend.
• Bring extra quarters for laundry.  It is hard to get change here.
• Bring a fan.
• There are public grills on 9th street.
• Go to White Rock on the 4th of July.
• Bring a deck of cards and a few good books.
• You can get your mail through work.
• Drink more water.
• The lab taxis are not reliable.

Lillian Chang, 2003

• Get housing worked out early, and make sure the agreement is clear (i.e., check out the situation about being forced to pay May rent instead of having UNM-LA tell you at the last minute).
• Try to bring a few basic cooking utensils and some pots and pans (or have your family ship some to you).  Usually if you need something special, you can probably borrow it, but you don't want to have to buy a new set just for 8 weeks.
• You don't need to have a car since we usually carpool to lab from the student apartments, although if you like to go exploring independently on the weekends a car is useful.  If you decide to take the taxi/shuttle, plan ahead of time, as they are usually late or have some excuse about being busy until much later.
• The MESA library is a nice place to go if you like taking the summer to catch up on leisure reading.  They also have a collection of DVD's and VHS which you can watch on the TV /media player on the lower level for free.
• If you are sensitive to heat, you might want to bring a small fan since the student apartment rooms are usually warmer than it is outside.  (It's not necessary, just an amenity.)
• The scenery at the Taos ski area is great for those who like hiking.  It's a two hour drive northeast, and there are a few nice trails (either to the peak, Bull of the Woods, or Williams Lake) that will keep you busy for a morning and afternoon.  Taos itself is a small town that is nice to stop at on your way there or back to Los Alamos.  Another good place to go is around the Jemez River area just past Valley Grande.
• If you have an idea for a hiking/biking trip, movie, barbeque, drive to Santa Fe, or anything else, ask the other students in the program--it's almost definite that someone else would like to go too, and it will be more fun.

David Mascarenas, 2003

• If you are looking for engineering textbooks this is the town to visit.  If you go to the MESA public library they have a used book store.  I was able to buy multiple engineering references for almost nothing.  I even got a Mark’s mechanical engineering handbook for $1.  Not much is more than a dollar.
• Lunch at the VFW is pretty good.  It is advertised as “David’s Dog’s” on Trinity.
• Try to meet people in the town.  While I have been here I have met people from Lebanon, Ireland, Portugal, Australia and all over the US.  Many of these people do not work with me. 
• If you have to live in Santa Fe watch out for cops.  New Mexico’s cops love to give speeding tickets, especially on the Santa Fe Relief Route. 
• This town definitely has a character all its own.  Everyone here works at the lab and has a PhD.  I took advantage of it by looking into local feelings on nuclear war.  It can be overbearing sometimes though.  Yesterday I was walking around in the parking lot at my friend’s apartment building, and I heard a guy talking about derivatives on his cell phone.  This type of thing is pretty common here.  Sometimes it can be too much.  Good Luck.

Rick Aumann, 2002

• Get out and enjoy nature as soon as possible, 8 weeks is not long enough to really enjoy all that there is here.
• Bring a car, and hope that you aren't the only one with a four-door otherwise you'll be driving all over God's creation
• Get to know your fellow students, having good group dynamics will make the summer much more enjoyable.
• Try to get your project going as quick as possible.  Don't be afraid to start writing your paper as soon as you understand the task at hand.  It'll make the last week a lot less hecktic.

Amanda McCarty, 2002

• Try to live in the UNMLA apartments with the rest of the summer school.  It is like living in dorms, but kind of nice because you get to know everyone better.  Also, there are other student groups that live there.
• Bring a car.  There is a lot to see in the area but most of it is not too chose.
• Eight weeks isn't very long, so try to get started on your project, presentation, and paper as soon as possible.
• Work attire is very causal, so don't worry about bringing anything too dressy.
• We couldn't get direct deposit of paychecks so be prepared to jump through some hoops to get them into your account.
• Take advantage of the guest lecturers when they come to talk to you about your project.  They can be very helpful in solving problems and offering insight.   The technical editor is especially helpful with paper and presentation.
• Don't worry too much about your project.  It will all come together.

Sam Hatchett, 2002

• Have fun and don't take anything too seriously, but work hard.
• See if the community center still offers swing classes.
• Save your Smith's bags.
• Chicken pot pie is cheap and tasty.
• And don't wear a tie; people will laugh.

Ed Kinzel, 2002

• Students should be encouraged to take advantage of the beautiful geography around Los Alamos.

Joshua Clough, 2001

• Be sure to take time to get together as a group outside of work...  it makes the entire summer much more enjoyable.
• BRING A BIKE!!!
• Don't worry too much about the project and all of the details of the program before arriving, everything works out.  (This comment may not be necessary if you'll be providing them with a FAQ list that will cover alot of the initial worries: IE where do I need to go the first day? What is the attire? etc.)
• Realize that it is only an eight week project and you will not be able to accomplish everything that you would like to.
• Come to town early and take time to tour northern New Mexico.  I did that this year and had a great time driving all over the first week I was here.
• Be sure to talk to the guest lecturers about more than just your project...  they are a great resource for information about grad. school and the engineering world.

Allen Brockman, 2001

• Get housing taken care of early; find a room in someone's house if possible, since you don't need to bring as much stuff with you.
• Bring clothes to hike in, and if you like to ride, absolutely bring your bike.  The mountain biking is awesome!
• It would be helpful to have a car.  There is lots to do around here, especially in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.  Plus, the prices on groceries and other household items are pretty high in Los Alamos, so you may want to shop in Espanola, or Santa Fe.
• Watch out for the elk.  Two of my group members were eaten by elk, and it was hard to finish the project without them.

Kirun Mulji, 2001

• Take care of housing as soon as possible.
• Bring your mountain bike, lots of hiking gear, camp equipment and other outdoor stuff...leave your dressy clothes at home.
• Bring a car if possible because the town doesn't have any form of public transportation.  Otherwise try and get a roommate with a car so you can do stuff with him/her.
• Bring your camera because you don't want to end up buying a camera up here...the town doesn't have much to offer in terms of shopping. 

John Granier, 2001

• Exploit the summer, take advantage of every professional, every technical source and the nature and mountains.
• Apply and come even if you're not wanting to specialize in dynamics as a career, the intense dynamics study is beneficial for a breadth background that engineers should have in all fields of un-specialization.
• I love the outdoors and you can't experience things well enough by a vacation you need to live it.  A summer in the NM mountains is sure to improve your impression of the nature and beauty offered by NM.

Seth Gregg, 2001

• If you stay in student housing, get your phone connected before you plan on arriving.
• Having a roommate is nice for keeping the costs down. Rooming with someone is like staying in the dorms again except you get a tiny kitchen (student housing only not the Inn)
• The town is small but the area is beautiful, bring your biking, hiking, climbing, and camping equipment.
• They are serious when they say the dress is casual. Expect to wear shorts, sandals, T-shirts, and maybe bring a change of nice clothes for going out in. (I took my suit and a handful of nicer clothes back halfway through the summer)
• Encourage your family and friends to come visit you. They won’t be let down.
• Read any material that Chuck suggests, it will make the tutorials much more interesting if you have a feel for what is going on already.

Harold Kess, 2001

• Schedule some more outside (after-work) activities, like the historical walking tour.

Dynamics Summer School

• Projects
• Schedule of Events
• Lecturers
• Resources for Students
• Application Instructions
• Housing information
• Policies for Guest Student Hire
• FAQ and Advice from Alumni