Becoming a Ventures Scholar

Requirements for Ventures Scholars
When students are in high school, they are invited to join the Ventures Scholars Program. Once they graduate, students are invited to join the undergraduate component of the Ventures Scholars Program.

To become a Ventures Scholar, high school students must meet the following qualifications:

• PSAT Qualifications: As sophomores, students need to score a minimum of 47 on the math and verbal sections. As juniors, students need to score a minimum of 50 of the math and verbal sections.

• SAT Qualifications: Students need to score a minimum of 550 on the math and verbal sections.

• PLAN Qualifications: Students need to score a minimum of 18 on the math, science, English, and reading sections.

• ACT Qualifications: Students need to score a minimum of 19 on the math, science, English, and reading sections.

• Students need to maintain a 3.0 grade point average or better.

• Students should identify themselves as members of an underrepresented minority group (African American/Black, American Indian/Native American, or Hispanic/Latino/a) or identify themselves as first-generation college-bound students.

• Students should express an interest in a math- or science-based career.

High School Students Are Nominated to Join the Ventures Scholars Program
Underrepresented students and first-generation college-bound students are nominated to the Ventures Scholars Program in the following ways:

• Underrepresented Students: The Ventures Scholars Program uses the College Board's PSAT and ACT's PLAN examinations to initially target underrepresented students who meet the aforementioned requirements. Targeted students are sent an invitation in February to join the Ventures Scholars Program and are asked to use a unique password to complete the on-line registration form. In the spring, over 8,000 high schools are provided with a list of Ventures Scholars at their schools. Guidance counselors are asked to make sure that the nominated students complete the on-line registration form. Guidance counselors are also invited to nominate students who meet the requirements of the Ventures Scholars Program.

  If students do not take the PSAT or PLAN examinations, they can still join the Ventures Scholars Program if they meet the SAT or ACT requirements. Guidance counselors are invited to nominate these students.

• First-Generation College-Going Students: Because the College Board and ACT does not provide information about first-generation college-bound students, the Ventures Scholars Program seeks the assistance of guidance counselors and educators to nominate this targeted population of students to join the Ventures Scholars Program. Nominated students are asked to complete an application. Once approved, the Ventures Scholars Program provides the students with a unique username and password and they are asked to complete the on-line registration form.

Continuing at the Undergraduate Level
Upon graduation from high school, Ventures Scholars are asked to update their on-line registration form so they can continue to access VSP services at the undergraduate level.

If an undergraduate student is interested in joining the Ventures Scholars Program and meets the following requirements, he/she is invited to complete an application.

• Students should identify themselves as members of an underrepresented minority group (African American/Black, American Indian/Native American, and Hispanic/Latino/a or identify themselves as first-generation college-bound students.

• Students should express an interest in a math- or science-based career.

Resources for Ventures Scholars
Ventures Scholars are invited to receive a variety of FREE services.

• Ventures Scholars can receive information from the Ventures Scholars Program Consortium, a membership of over 200 undergraduate institutions, graduate and professional schools, and associations nationwide.

• Ventures Scholars can access resources and information about math- and science career pathways.

• Ventures Scholars can utilize the Ventures Scholars Program e-communication tools that enables them to communicate with Ventures Scholars Program consortium members and other Ventures Scholars across the country to help them better understand academic and career resources available to help them achieve their career goals.

Renewing Ventures Scholars' Registration
Every semester, Ventures Scholars are asked to update their on-line registration form. This will enable them to continue utilizing the free services and will inform the Ventures Scholars Program of their progress so that VSP and its member institutions and associations can better serve them.