OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMS

Minority College Experience (MCE) and Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) are FREE summer programs offered by Penn State Behrend. Both programs are designed for academically-talented students from the Erie County, Pennsylvania area. The non-residential nature of this program does not typically enable students from other areas to participate. The programs give local students, who qualify, a chance to enroll in a university credit course with regularly enrolled college students the summer before their senior year in high school. Both programs provide plenty of direct, hands-on experience through field trips, workshops, and lectures conducted by professionals in local businesses and organizations.

Register for the MCE/WISE Open House program to be held Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., Reed Union Building, Room 117

Your schedule will determine when you will be on campus.  Class schedules will be set during the Orientation, Advising, and Registration.  Courses open to students in Minority College Experience and Women in Science and Engineering are scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.  These classes meet on either a two-day, three-day, or four-day schedule.  All students in both programs are required to participate in workshops every Wednesday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Optional field trips are offered on Fridays.  The program runs June 9 to July 24.

There is no tuition charge for the Minority College Experience or Women in Science and Engineering programs. In addition, students receive textbooks, parking permits or bus passes for commuting to and from campus, and a stipend for lunch when on campus. The only cost to participants may be admission costs for selected field trips.

If you complete either the Minority College Experience or the Women in Science and Engineering summer course with a grade-point average of 3.0 or better, you will be assured admission to attend Penn State Behrend following high school graduation and completion of the Penn State application process.

MINORITY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

The Minority College Experience program offers students of color or economically disadvantaged students the opportunity to explore their options in higher education and examine possible career paths. If you're African American, Asian American, Hispanic, or Native American-male or female-you may be able to enroll in a free college-credit summer course related to any of Penn State Behrend's thirty-one majors. This program is also available to economically disadvantaged students from any ethnic background. The program offers you the opportunity to interact with college students, professors, administrators and professionals through a variety of workshops and field trips.

WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Women in Science and Engineering encourages female high school students of all backgrounds to explore career opportunities they may have not considered before. Science, engineering, environmental studies, information technology, health professions-all these career options are open to talented women. If you're a highly motivated student interested in math and science, you may qualify for free enrollment in Penn State Behrend credit courses.

BOTH PROGRAMS HAVE SIMILAR ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a high school junior

• Grade-point average or 2.75 or above

• SAT of 900 or PSAT scores of 90 or better

PLACEMENT TESTING AND ADVISING

If you are accepted into one of these programs, you will be scheduled for a series of placement tests to measure your knowledge of math and chemistry. You will also take part in an orientation, academic advising, and course registration program held several days prior to the beginning of classes. Academic advisors will use your test results to make appropriate course placements during the registration portion of the program.

IMPORTANT DATES

MCE/WISE Open House - Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., Reed Union Building, Room 117
Application deadline - Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Classes begin - Monday, June 9, 2008
Holiday - No classes - Friday, July 4, 2008
Last day of classes - July 22, 2008
Final exams - July 23 or July 24, 2008 (date determined by class enrollment)

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information contact:

Mary-Ellen Madigan
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
4701College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
(814)898-6100
mea1@psu.edu

APPLICATION

To the student:

• Applicants must be high school juniors during the 2007-2008 school year.

• The deadline to apply for the Summer 2008 MCE/WISE program is April 23, 2008.

• Prior to starting the application, please print the counselor recommendation  form.

• Complete sections 1, 2, and 3 of this form and give the counselor recommendation form to your high school guidance counselor.

• Only complete applications will be considered for admission.

1. Background Information

I am applying for (check one):

Minority College Experience (MCE)

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)

First Name Middle Initial Last

Email

Male Female

Social Security Number

Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

Ethnicity/Race:

African/Black American

Latino/Hispanic American

Asian & Pacific American

Native American/Alaskan Native

White (not Hispanic)

Other (please specify)

Home Phone

U.S. Citizen yes no

Home Address

City State Zip

Name of High School

Address of High School

City State Zip

I will graduate from high school in (MM/YYYY)

2. Essay

Please write a short essay that describes your interests and goals.  Include any school or community activities in which you participate, and awards you may have received. Please explain how this program will help you to become a better student and to define your career goals.  Also, please indicate any other activities you will be participating in during the MCE/WISE programs.  Include relevant dates and vacation plans that may coincide with the program.

3.  Interest Survey

I would like to learn more about the following careers (check all that apply):

Which of the following topics would you like to learn more about? (check all that apply)

How would you characterize you computer expertise?

Beginner - use word-processing packages, possible spreadsheets, aware of Internet.  Do not use a computer regularly.

Intermediate - use a variety of software packages, use Internet browser frequently, some use of email. Use computer regularly.

Advanced - mastered several software packages, familiar with html. Use computer nearly every day.

Transportation: I will most likely be traveling to Penn State Behrend for MCE/WISE by:

Car    EMTA Bus