VENTURES SCHOLARS PROGRAM

VENTURES SCHOLARS PROGRAM (thanks Dr. Jeff for sharing!)
ACCESS TO EDUCATION
INFORMATION ABOUT THE VENTURES SCHOLARS PROGRAM
WHAT IS THE VENTURES SCHOLARS PROGRAM?
Ventures Scholars Program is a FREE national resource developed to link underrepresented and firstgeneration
college-bound students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
career pathways to information, resources, and opportunities nationwide.
As part of the services, Ventures Scholars are connected to a partnership of selective higher education
institutions nationwide and are also provided with a variety of e-communication tools to access information
about scholarships, summer programs, STEM career pathway information and more!
Our goal is to help counselors link students to a national pathway and help these students successfully pursue
STEM career pathways.
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WHAT ARE THE FREE SERVICES OFFERED TO STUDENTS?
· COMMUNICATE WITH MEMBER INSTITUTIONS: Students’ information is shared with the Ventures Scholars
Program partnership of colleges and universities nationwide.
The VSP Website provides a profile page for each member institution. Profile pages offer extensive information
about programs, scholarships, fee waivers, open houses, and more. Every member institution profile page also
has a link to an inquiry form. Students can complete an inquiry form for a specific institution and completed
information is emailed to the partner institution contact. To view information about college partners, go to
http://www.venturescholar.org/portals
· COMMUNICATE WITH PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS: Students can learn about math and science careers
simply by contacting partner professional associations.
· CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION: Students can download their personalized certificate of recognition. Some of
the member institutions request the certificate when granting fee waivers to students. Most students include their
certificate along with the college application.
· BIWEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER : Students and their parents receive a biweekly e-mail newsletter that provides
timely information about a broad array of college and career planning topics and resources. Information about
partner colleges and universities is always included in the e-newsletters.
· TARGETED EMAILS: The Ventures Scholars Program sends targeted emails about conferences, regional
seminars, lectures, open houses, recruitment fairs and other events to students and their parents.
· VSP E- DIALOGUE CENTER: Using the chat room and e-bulletin board, students can e-communicate with
undergraduate Ventures Scholars and learn first-hand about college and STEM majors.
· COMMUNICATE WITH VSP STAFF: Students can communicate with Ventures Scholars Program staff via phone
and email.
15 Maiden Lane Suite 200 New York, NY 10038 Ph: 212-566-2522 ext 103 Fax: 212-566-2536 Email: jarkin@ventures.org
INFORMATION ABOUT THE VENTURES SCHOLARS PROGRAM
15 Maiden Lane Suite 200 New York, NY 10038 Ph: 212-566-2522 ext 103 Fax: 212-566-2536 Email: jarkin@ventures.org
QUALIFICATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VENTURES SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Students should identify themselves as members of an underrepresented minority group (African
American/Black, American Indian/Native American, or Hispanic/Latino/a) AND/OR identify themselves as firstgeneration
college-bound students.
Students should maintain a 3.0 grade point average or better and express an interest in a STEM career. In
addition, students should take standardized examinations and meet at least one of the following qualifications:
· PSAT Qualifications: A sophomore needs to score a minimum of 47 on the math and critical
reasoning sections. A junior needs to score a minimum of 50 of the math and critical reasoning
sections.
· SAT Qualifications: A student needs to score a minimum of 550 on the math and critical reasoning
sections.
· PLAN Qualifications: A student needs to score a minimum of 18 on the math, science, English, and
reading sections.
· ACT Qualifications: A student needs to score a minimum of 19 on the math, science, English, and
reading sections.
In the near future, the Program will be developing a separate database for students who fall below the
aforementioned criteria, but have academic potential. Nomination will be made by counselors or communitybased
organization coordinators.
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ACCESS A LIST OF VENTURES SCHOLARS AT YOUR HIGH SCHOOL
The Program initially targets students when they take the PSAT or PLAN examination. To obtain a list of
students at your high school who are currently in our database, please email your CEEB code to
jarkin@ventures.org .
NOMINATE QUALIFIED STUDENTS TO JOIN THE VENTURES SCHOLARS PROGRAM
You are invited to nominate additional students to the pathway. To download an application, please go to
http://www.venturescholar.org/docs/student_application.doc
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REGISTER FOR THE VENTURES SCHOLARS PROGRAM SERVICES
The Ventures Scholars Program will share counselors’ information with member institutions and professional
associations and they will send you materials about programs and opportunities.
If you or your colleagues wish to register for the Program's free services, please go to
http://www.venturescholar.org/counselors/application_step1.php
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For additional information, please contact:
Jessica Arkin, National Director, Ventures Scholars Program
1-800-94-SMART ext. 103 jarkin@ventures.org