Welcome to FRI!
During the fall semester, we offer many opportunities for new FRI students to interact with current undergraduates, faculty, and research available in our Research Streams. Students participate in a process that we call Stream Sort, which is a series of events that land a student placement in a research stream.
Students are invited to indicate their Research Stream preferences on our FRI Stream Sort form (opens end of October). We do our best to place FRI admits into one of their top stream choices. Students self-register for their stream placement during registration and begin research in the spring semester of the academic year.
Stream Sort Timeline
FRI admitted students participate in the Stream Sort process during the fall semester of their first year at the University of Texas at Austin.
AUGUST — SEPTEMBER | Explore the Research Streams
At the beginning of the fall semester, explore the Research Streams.
- Attend the FRI Meet & Greet Poster Session. At this event, you'll be able to interact with students and faculty to learn more about our research streams.
- Review Stream Course Credit & Course Schedules. To help you identify several Research Streams that interest you, review the Spring Course Schedule and Fall Research Credit options.
OCTOBER | Visit Research Streams
During October, we open our doors for students to visit and interact with stream team members.
- Attend Stream Open Houses. Research Educators and Peer Mentors provide lab tours and overviews of their stream research/laboratory on specific days/times and are available to answer your questions (~30 min -1h tours). Check the FRI Canvas for the Open House schedule.
- Submit a Stream Sort Form. Select your top research stream choices by the deadline.
FRI Stream Sort Form - CLOSED
THE 2024 STREAM SORT FORM IS NOW CLOSED.
Students who fill out the FRI Stream Sort Form have the opportunity to submit their top research stream choices on this form, and a brief statement explaining their selection.
Stream Switch & Late Form - CLOSED
The Stream Switch & Late Form is now closed for the Spring 2025 cycle.
If you DID NOT fill out a form, you are welcomed to fill out a Stream Sort Late Form. While we will try our best to fit you into the most ideal stream of your choice, please understand that we will not guarantee you a switch or stream placement if it is not available.
If you have a course conflict with the stream you've been placed in or you feel very strongly that you need to change streams, fill out the Stream Switch Form. Note that not all stream switches are guaranteed. *Keep in mind that students will be sorted up until the first class day in January.*
NOVEMBER | Stream Placement & Registration
Students are sorted into Research Streams based on preference and research stream availability. We do our best to give students one of their five preferred choices.
- Receive a Research Stream Placement. FRI admitted students who submitted a Stream Sort form by the deadline will be notified of their stream assignments and the unique number of the course(s) associated with that stream by November 2026 VIA E-MAIL.
Please be patient as it takes time to notify all students - you may not receive your assignment at the same time as your roommate!
If you have a course conflict with the stream you've been placed in or you feel very strongly that you need to change streams, fill out the Stream Switch Form.
*Keep in mind that students will be sorted up until the first class day in January 2026.*
- Students self-register for their stream. Your seat in a research stream is reserved. You will register for your stream during your registration time using the information provided in your stream placement email.
JANUARY | Begin Stream Research!
Students who register will begin their research and coursework in the Spring Semester!
FRI Researchers attend a weekly conference meeting(s) and are assigned additional laboratory requirements that are scheduled independently from course registration.
Your Research Educator will provide you with more details regarding course requirements, schedule, and attendance expectations.
Stream Placement Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
STREAM REGISTRATION & COURSE CREDIT
I did not submit a Stream Sort Form in October, can I still be a part of FRI?
FRI admitted students who did not fill out a stream sort form when it was open in October are welcomed to fill out a Late Form. Students may be offered streams that have available seats. The late form does not open until the stream sort form submission period has ended.
My registration window is before the stream placement notification. What do I do?
Your seat in your FRI stream is reserved. You may register for the course once registration opens again.
How do I register for my stream?
In your stream placement email, you will be provided with the associated course unique number(s). You may add the course during a registration window.
I am unable to add my FRI course to my schedule during registration. What do I do?
Common Registration Issues:
- Restricted by Department
Email fri@utexas.edu indicating the issue and include your EID, course number, and unique number.
- Does not meet Prerequisites
Email fri@utexas.edu to request a prerequisite waiver. Include your EID, course number, and unique number.
If you are unable to add your FRI course for another reason, please reach out to fri@utexas.edu.
Briefly explain the issue and include your EID, course number, & unique number.
Adding my FRI course will exceed the hours on my course schedule. What do I do?
Students must have a 3.0 GPA and have not Q-dropped a class in the previous semester to be approved to exceed hours (>17 hours).
Email your academic advisor to request approval. If you are a first semester student, you must wait until December or January for approval (after your grades are submitted). Your seat in FRI will be reserved until the approval process is complete.
I have a time conflict with my stream placement. What are my options?
Most of our streams require that you attend the course meeting time listed. Contact the Research Educator (RE) of the specific stream to discuss your options.
If you are required to be at the class meeting, you can try to adjust your schedule to accommodate the course. FRI will hold your seat during this time.
If you cannot adjust your schedule, fill out a Stream Switch Form.
I already have the course credit for the stream I was placed in. What are my options?
Streams do not offer additional course credit options outside of those listed on our website. Credit options are also subject to change.
If you have the stream's course credit from outside of UT (AP, community college, etc.) you can opt to participate in your stream and enroll in the course credit available or fill out a Stream Switch Form.
We recommend you keep this information in mind when selecting streams for your Stream Sort form.
I am an FRI admitted student and did not receive a stream assignment notification. What do I do?
FRI admitted students who submitted a stream sort form and received a confirmation by the deadline should receive your stream assignment by early November. Check your spam folder.
Contact fri@utexas.edu and include your eid if you cannot find your stream notification.
Stream Sort is ongoing until the first-class day in January. Students on the FRI waitlist will be contacted with updates between registration and add/drop in January.
Can I audit an FRI/ARI Stream?
We do not allow students to participate in a FRI stream without enrolling in the course.
Can I petition for my FRI course to count for a different course credit?
Streams do not offer additional course credit options outside of those listed on our website. Credit options are also subject to change.
Petitions and Student Records Information
Students may work with their academic advisor to discuss options to petition for a course. FRI does not petition on behalf of or provide advising for students.
STREAM SWITCH
How does the Stream Switch Process work?
If you have a course conflict with the stream you've been placed in or you feel very strongly that you need to change streams, fill out the Stream Switch Form.
Students may fill out a Stream Switch form. Not all stream switches are guaranteed. Students may be offered streams that have open seats available only.
Switch notifications are sent between registration and add/drop in January.
If we cannot offer you a stream switch that you prefer, you can choose to stay in your stream or not participate.
Additional Notes:
- We do not switch students via email.
- We do not provide suggestions for stream options based on a student's schedule.
- Students can choose not to continue participation in their stream after spring semester, but may not switch to a new stream in the fall semester.
Students must indicate their intent for stream participation (you will receive an email) in January 2025 to hold your seat, otherwise your seat will be given to another student.
When will I receive a Stream Switch approval?
On the form, you will be able to indicate your stream switch preferences, but not all stream switch requests are guaranteed. Students are offered streams that have open seats available only.
Switch notifications are sent between registration and add/drop in January.
We encourage you to register for your current stream placement in the case your stream switch request may not be granted.
ARI & FRI WAITLIST
I submitted an ARI stream sort form and did not receive a Stream Notification. What do I do?
FRI streams are sorted before ARI streams.
ARI stream notifications may be received by mid-November.
Stream Sort is ongoing until the first-class day in January. We recommend you register for your other classes and adjust your schedule during add/drop if you are offered a seat in an ARI stream.
I am on the FRI waitlist. Will I be contacted with updates?
Stream Sort is ongoing until the first-class day in January and anyone on the waitlist will be contacted with updates between registration and add/drop in January.