What is AMRE?

The Applied Methods and Research Experience (AMRE) program gives College of Wooster students the opportunity to work as business and organizational consultants.

For seven weeks of the summer, student teams and their faculty advisors consult for a business, industry, or agency client to solve authentic problems. There are multiple benefits to all parties. Students develop technical and collaborative skills and learn to apply them in a professional environment.  Faculty advisors get to work with a very select group of students, and apply their skills outside the classroom. Clients obtain low-cost solutions to problems that would most likely not be addressed internally, while tangibly supporting education.

Some Stats at a Glance…

  • 550 students have participated in the AMRE program. 91 of these students participated twice, 7 participated three times, and 1 student participated four times!
  • AMRE has been in existence for 31 years.
  • We have completed 240 projects with 80 different clients.
  • AMRE had 31 students complete a total of 10 projects in the summer of 2024.
  • The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company has sponsored 32 projects!
  • Progressive Insurance has sponsored 15 projects.
  • OSU-OARDC and The Prentke-Romich Company have each sponsored 13 projects.

Mission Statement

The AMRE program provides a quality immersive experiential opportunity for students at The College of Wooster. Students solve authentic problems in business, industry, government agencies and social service agencies as well as in academic research areas. In the process, students reflect on their contributions and develop an understanding of how the experience can be translated into future opportunities.

The College of Wooster offers its students a unique educational experience while further establishing collaborations with our local and regional corporate, public sector, and non-profit partners.

  • Our clients get help solving problems or completing projects that have lingered on “to-do” lists.
  • The students apply what they have learned in the classroom to solve real-world problems. Often the experience helps them develop their career aspirations, and sometimes they learn what they don’t want to do for a career. Always, they have an experience that can’t be found inside the classroom.

Program Structure

The structure of the program is based upon several research teams which work independently on separate projects, but also come together for discussion of progress. These teams are comprised of students (usually three) and a faculty advisor. The faculty advisor involvement is heavy initially as the student team becomes familiar with the project definition. After approximately two weeks, involvement becomes primarily advisory as the students work directly with client representatives and others. Student teams give weekly progress reports in the form of oral presentations, in addition to periodic presentations to their respective clients. Each team also gives a final oral presentation and written report to the client upon completion of the project.

Professional Development

During the summer, APEX staff and faculty advisors conduct a number of professional development sessions. In these sessions, students learn valuable professional skills, reflect on their experiences, and plan for their future careers.

AMRE Process for Clients

Step 1: Online Submittal
Company or organization submits the project request form found here.

Step 2: Project Scope Development and Contract
The AMRE Leadership Team reviews the request and collaborates with the client to create project abstracts & goals, determine the number of required AMRE associates needed for the project, and agrees on the fee.

Step 3: Billing
The client will receive an invoice for the agreed upon fee from The College of Wooster’s business office. Prompt payment will be expected within 30 days of the invoice.

Step 4: Kick-Off Meeting
The AMRE project team and client meet face-to-face (virtually or in-person) for a “kick-off” meeting to review the project scope and to develop a project plan.

Step 5: Communication
The AMRE project team and client maintain contact over the course of the project via emails and (virtual or in-person) meetings to keep the client updated on project progress.

Step 6: Final Deliverables
The AMRE project team delivers a final project presentation and report with their findings, as well as any products created for the client.

Want More Information?

Wooster students: The 2024 AMRE selection has concluded. Those interested in becoming AMRE Associates for summer 2025 should watch for the application to open in January 2025.