MVP resources

Download the 2024 MVP Schedule (PDF)

MVP attendees do not need to register separately for Research Rochester.

• Visitors from the New York City metro area will ride to and from campus in a charter bus. Selecting the NYC Charter Bus on the MVP registration form is the only step you need to confirm your seat. Two school counselors from NYC will be present on the bus as chaperones. Information about the bus’s exact location in Port Authority and the chaperone contact will be sent over email to all registrants at least two days before departure.
• For students arranging travel from outside of the New York City area, you will work directly with Town and Country Travel to book your ticket to and from Rochester at no out of pocket expense. You must request travel from Town and Country by October 18 and respond promptly when they email you the draft ticket. The deadline to finalize travel is October 22. You are responsible for travel costs between your home and the closest major airport or train station, any luggage or internet fees, and meals during travel. Please consult your MVP acceptance email for instructions to contact Town and Country.
• Rochester has partnered with Monroe County Airport Taxi to provide rides for students between the Rochester Airport and campus. Information on where and when to catch your free taxi ride to campus will be emailed to attendees once arrival times are finalized.
• If you are taking a bus, train, or local taxi to campus, we will be in contact to help with arrangements or reimbursements.
• For students driving to campus, you may apply for mileage reimbursement. We will reimburse up to $0.20 per mile for a maximum round trip distance of 800 miles. Car rentals are not covered under this grant. Email a Google Map round-trip itinerary, your full name, and your mailing address to reimbursement@ur.rochester.edu to request a mileage reimbursement.

The Office of Admissions will match you with a current student host in a residence hall on campus. Either Katia Yagnik or Program Assistant Austin Okoase will send an email to introduce you to your host 2-5 days before MVP.

Keep in mind that your current student host may have a roommate or live in a suite that shares common space with other current students. We expect all MVP guests to be courteous to roommates during their stay.

You are required to abide by all rules of conduct for overnight guests.

Download the Rules of Conduct (PDF)

You will stay in the dorm room of a current student. In most cases, you will be provided a space to sleep on the floor as dorm rooms with extra beds or couches are limited. It is important to pack a sleeping bag and pillow so you can be comfortable. Check the weather and pack warm weather appropriate clothes and comfortable shoes for walking outside on campus. While it is not required to pack any special supplies, please keep in mind that there will be periods of downtime for students to relax during MVP, so feel free to bring books, homework, a refillable water bottle, a laptop or tablet, etc.

The Office of Admissions will furnish Excuse Letters specific to MVP the week of the event. Please email Katia Yagnik at katia.yagnik@rochester.edu if you need a letter sooner or your school/employer requires a specific format.

The University of Rochester Office of Admissions will make every effort to contact the student’s emergency contact via phone call in case of medical emergency, behavioral concerns, disasters, or significant program disruptions. If the emergency contact cannot be reached by phone the Office of Admissions will send an email.

Hosts in the residence halls are current University of Rochester undergraduate students who applied to be admissions ambassadors and underwent a background check and mandatory training. For most of the MVP experience the attendees are with staff or student hosts but there may be small stretches where they are independent, for example, if their host leaves them in the library or another designated spot during a closed class. During Research Rochester we entrust the MVP attendees to explore campus alongside other visiting families outside of direct supervision.

Thank you for granting permission for your student to attend MVP! Do not hesitate to contact Katia Yagnik with questions or concerns.