Undergraduate Cohort Program

Undergraduate Cohort Program

The DSP Undergraduate Cohort Program provides Department Services Program (DSP) partners the opportunity to gift their class of undergraduates a complimentary one-year AAA + NASA section membership and AAA Annual Meeting registration.  

  Apply - Application for the Fall Semester is open!

Undergrads! Invite Your Chair to join as a DSP Partner 

Cohort Schedule & Deadlines 

• Fall Semester | September 1 - November 10 
• Spring Semester | January 1 - February 28 

 

Eligibility requirements  
 

1. Undergraduates must be included in the cohort program
2. Undergraduates must be currently enrolled at a DSP partner institution 
3. Department Chair/Head must submit the nomination form 

 

What’s included 

1. AAA + NASA (National Association of Student Anthropologists) One (1) year membership 
2. AAA Annual Meeting Registration (In-person or Virtual) 

 

Department Leader’s Annual Meeting Commitment 

For those department leaders who plan to attend the AAA Annual Meeting with their undergrad cohort, we ask that you are registered to attend the annual meeting and commit to orienting your class to the AAA Annual Meeting by: 

• establishing a first day orientation on how to navigate the meeting and sessions,  
• providing suggestions on mentorship opportunities and networking with attendees, 
• escorting your class to key sessions such as the opening and closing plenary sessions, the exhibition hall, the ACE Showcase, and the AAA Business Meeting.  

  

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How to Gift an Undergraduate Cohort

• The department must be an active Department Services Program (DSP) Partner
• The application must be submitted during the enrollment period.
• If gifting a group to attend that AAA Annual Meeting, the chair/department head must be registered to attend the AAA Annual Meeting and commit to orient the group to the meeting as outlined above.

 Apply - Application for the Fall Semester is open!

Application Turnaround Timeline  

While we will do our best to review your application in an expeditious manner, your application can take up to 7 – 14 days to review and approve.  

 

 FAQ

• Is the chair/department head required to be registered to attend the AAA Annual Meeting if gifting a cohort? Yes, the chair is required to be registered and is asked to commit to orienting their class to the annual meeting.
  
  
• If the chair/department head is not available to attend the AAA Annual Meeting, can another department faculty member take their place? Yes, a department faculty member can take the place of the department head if they are registered and fully commit to orienting the class to the annual meeting as outlined above.
  
  
• Why can't I select to gift a cohort for only the AAA Annual Meeting? The cohort program requires AAA membership in order to receive the AAA Annual Meeting Registration waiver.
  
  
• Why can’t I register my undergrads for the Annual Meeting in the Spring or Winter? When gifting a class in the early spring or late winter, AAA Annual Meeting's registration is not open. Once the application has been approved and your class has access to AAA resources, they will be able to register when the registration portal opens 
  
  
• My undergrads already have a AAA membership? Are they still eligible to join the cohort? Yes, they can receive a pro-rated refund for the AAA membership dues.
   
• What if my undergrad has already registered for the meeting? If they are a part of the program, they are entitled to a refund.
  
  
• Can an undergrad who is not affiliated with a DSP partner institution receive a AAA Membership + AAA Annual Meeting waiver? Unfortunately, the waiver is a benefit of the DSP partnership. If a department is not a partner, please encourage them by sending an invitation so that their undergraduates can receive access to AAA membership and resources.
  
  
• Is this a free benefit to DSP Partners? Yes, this is a free benefit for DSP Partners and they will not be billed for students membership and registration.
  
  
• Can I gift only membership if some of my students are unable to attend the annual meeting? Yes, you can gift a cohort for only membership. In order for students to receive meeting registration, they must first obtain membership. You'll be provided with two discount codes - one for membership and one for meeting registration. It is up to department leaders to ensure that students choose the virtual option instead of the in-person option if they choose to participate.