Welcome to the freshman year! We'd like to find out if you are adjusting to college life. Give some thought to the following areas and send us an email with your feedback. You can also share information about issues or concerns not included on this list.

• Studying/time management techniques
• Adjustment from high school routine to college routine
• Balancing finances at college
• Meeting new people and/or roommates
• Participating in college/social activities

The Ventures Scholars Program would like to make sure you are successfully transitioning from high school to college. Please email your responses to webmaster@ventures.org. We look forward to hearing from you.

East Tennessee State University – Quillen College of Medicine – Johnson City, TN
Steve C. Ellis, Director, Student Support Services & Outreach Programs & Assistant Dean, Student Affairs
Phone: (423) 439-2037
Email: elliss@etsu.edu
Web Site: http://com.etsu.edu/

East Tennessee State University - Quillen School of Medicine is located in Johnson City, TN. For additional information about programs and opportunities, please go to http://com.etsu.edu/ or contact Steve C. Ellis,Director, Student Support Services and Outreach Programs and Assistant Dean, Student Affairs, (423) 429-2037, elliss@etsu.edu.

Information Link
Would you like to learn about the programs and opportunities at our member graduate/professional schools? Click here to access information. If you correspond directly with the contact person, please remember to mention that you are a Ventures Scholar.

Questionnaire
If you would like to share your academic and career goals with the member graduate and professional schools, please go to http://www.venturescholar.org/undergrad/gradinquiry.asp and you will receive a response from the selected institutions.

American Association of Physician Assistant Programs
Geraldene Darden, Assistant Director of Marketing
Phone: (703) 836-2272 ext. 3413
Email: gdarden@aapa.org
Web Site: www.apap.org/

The Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP) is the only national organization in the United States representing physician assistant (PA) educational programs. Physician assistants are educated in intensive medical programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) . The average PA program curriculum is 111 weeks, compared with 155 weeks for medical school. PA programs look for students who have a desire to study, work hard, and to be of service to their community. Some physician assistant programs require applicants to have previous health care experience and some college education. Commonly nurses, EMTs, and paramedics apply to PA programs. For additional information, please go to www.apap.org/ or contact Geraldene Darden, Assistant Director of Marketing at (703) 836-2272 ext. 3413 or gdarden@aapa.org.

Information Link
Would you like to learn about the member professional associations? Click here to access information. If you correspond directly with the contact person, please remember to mention that you are a Ventures Scholar.

Questionnaire
If you would like to ask questions to the professional associations and organizations, go to http://www.venturescholar.org/scholars/assocquest.asp and complete this form.

By Tiffany T., Undergraduate Ventures Scholar

I decided on majoring in biology when I was in high school. I thought about possibly becoming a doctor and believed that pursuing a major in biology would provide me with skills needed for medical school or graduate school. Now as a senior, I have discovered that being a biology major is not easy, but it is a rewarding and enriching experience.

Read more:
http://www.venturescholar.org/hs/answers/schart1.html

Most college students think a corresponding academic major exists for each specific career field, and that it's impossible to enter most career fields unless they choose that matching major for undergraduate study. This is not true!

Read more:
http://www.career.virginia.edu/students/resources/handouts/choosing_a_major.pdf   (PDF File)

For additional articles about this topic, please go to
http://www.venturescholar.org/resource/choosemajor-ug.html

So, you're convinced of the value of research experience to your graduate school application.

Now what?

Read more:
http://gradschool.about.com/cs/generaladvice/a/research_2.htm

For additional articles about this topic, please go to
http://www.venturescholar.org/resource/gradplanning-ug.html#research.

The JGH Biography project highlights the contribution of minorities to science.

Read more:
http://www.justgarciahill.org/jghdocs/webbiography.asp

Our member institutions and associations have on-line career resource centers that offer a wealth of information. Learn about math- and science-based careers, resume writing, job searching, and a lot more!

View the listing at http://www.venturescholar.org/resource/careercenterlist.html.

Take the time to attend a conference! You will learn about the latest activities in your career area and you’ll be able to network. Here is a link that provides you with conference opportunities in April, May, and June.

Read more:
http://www.justgarciahill.org/jghdocs/webevent.asp

These links provide you with helpful information if you are an undocumented student.

Read more:
http://www.venturescholar.org/resource/finaid2.html#undocumented

Interested in linking to information about federal and state resources?

Go to http://www.venturescholar.org/resource/finaid2.html.