Staffers at Allan Hancock College and Cal Poly recently partnered with an aim to increase the number of minority students who successfully transfer from the community college to biomedical and behavioral sciences programs at the four-year university and others like it.
Funded by a “Bridges to the Baccalaureate” grant from the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the five-year, $848,598 program is designed to boost students’ academic skills, increase research experience, and provide a support network. The program also gives students an opportunity to participate in paid summer research internships with Cal Poly faculty.
According to a press release from Hancock, only 11 grants were awarded nationally, four of which went to community colleges.
The program provides support and guidance for 60 “Bridges” scholars during their two years at Allan Hancock College. Students will attend a “Strategies for Success” course to improve study skills, as well as a workshop series for core science courses. Students in the program will also attend a monthly seminar series focusing on biomedical topics and an advanced anatomy laboratory course for hands-on experience in human cadaver dissection.
During the summer, students will be able to participate in an internship at Cal Poly, which includes conducting research projects with biological sciences, biochemistry, or biomedical engineering faculty.
The program is accepting applications from community college students through Feb. 2 for the spring semester. Students who want to participate must be full-time students intending to pursue a degree in the biomedical or behavioral sciences. They must also be a member of an underrepresented minority group with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their science courses, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Program coordinator Mark Fernandez said the college is planning to open the program up to high school students in spring 2009.
For more information on how to apply, contact Fernandez at 922-6966, Ext. 3820, or e-mail him at mfernandez@hancock college.edu.
Get ready for college with the ACT
The next ACT achievement test, a college admission and placement exam, will hit desks on Feb. 7. College-bound students who want to take the ACT must register by Jan. 6. Students can also register late—for an extra fee—from Jan. 7 to 16.
Cost is $31 for the traditional ACT, and $46 for the ACT Plus Writing. Before registering for the test, students should determine whether the colleges and universities they’re considering require the optional writing score. A list of schools that require the writing test can be found at actstudent.org/writing.
The ACT is a curriculum-based exam that includes tests in English, math, reading, and science. The traditional test takes about three hours to complete, and the ACT Plus Writing requires another half-hour. Unlike other tests, such as the SAT, students aren’t penalized for guessing and answering all the questions on each section.
Register online at actstudent.org. m
School Scene is compiled by Staff Writer Amy Asman. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Dec 25, 2008 – Jan 1, 2009.