Feedback from High School Ventures Scholars

Recently, we told our high school Ventures Scholars that we are seeking a corporate sponsor and asked them to share feedback about the Program. Here's what they said about the Ventures Scholars Program.

The Ventures Scholar Program has provided me with added exposure to several scholarship programs and universities. I got accepted to xxxx, xxxx, and xxxx University and I will receive in excess of $160,000 in scholarships and grants. Thanks Ventures Scholars!

Ventures Scholars has helped me find my dream college. Since my name was provided, a member institution (XXXX) contacted me via e-mail and snail mail over the last year. I became interested and found it to be the perfect college for me. I applied and was also given a $60,000 scholarship. I was also accepted into their "Honors Law Program" which guarantees acceptance to their law school after I complete my BS in Engineering.

As a minority student in Wyoming, I expected to go to the state university. Because of the Ventures Scholars Program, I am able to live and attend college in Chicago.

As a Ventures Scholar, I have had special opportunities to preview colleges/universities I was interested in. Yet the most important aspect of the Ventures Scholars program, to me, is the VS Welcome Program. As a participant in the program I have had an opportunity to communicate with undergraduate students already majoring in Biochemistry and other high school seniors that, like me, plan to major in Biochemistry. I am able to ask pertinent questions of these students pertaining to classes, involvement, and time consumption as related to balancing social and academic life. Without the Ventures Scholars Program I would not have been able to communicate with so many other scholars that can help me make important decisions concerning my college career.

The Ventures Scholars Program has been very helpful to me as I went through my college search. I remember back in tenth grade, when I got the letter of invitation to the program, I thought, "Why do I need to join another club?" My mom suggested that I join because it was an honor I could put on later college applications, so I did. I soon found out that Ventures was not just "another club." The Program has something to fit my every interest and need. At first, I searched the newsletters with tips for summer opportunities at member colleges. As I entered eleventh grade, and prepared for the SAT, I looked to the Ventures web site for tips. I was also refining my college list, so I would go to the Ventures Corner to read what current undergrads were saying about their institutions. As a senior, Ventures has been most helpful with their new Welcome Program. I must admit, college has me a little anxious, with lots of questions that cannot be answered by guidebooks or even admissions officers. I have greatly appreciated the advice given by current students, several of whom were in my shoes just 9 months ago. In addition, I would like to say that I my mom's advice has paid off. This year, I was selected as a National Achievement Finalist and accepted to eight top colleges. I am sure my honor as a "Ventures Scholar" helped tremendously in these areas. The Ventures Program has been amazing over the past three years. I heartily recommend supporting this program, if at the very least, because of the uplifting inspirational quotes at the beginning of each e-newsletter!

The Ventures Scholar Program has helped me make contact with other students with my major who have given me information on college. This is a wonderful organization whose goal is to help students pursuing a career in the math or science field to have a chance to succeed. I thank VSP for the assistance it has given to me.

Thanks to the Ventures Scholars Program, I have been able to keep informed about the various scholarship opportunities available to students in my position. The program has helped me to receive many scholarships in the Computer Science area. Also, the Ventures Scholars Program has allowed me to contact other students like myself. This great program has done nothing but help me finish my last year in high school successfully. I hope to continue in the program as an undergraduate to help me make the transition easily and smoothly.

My experience in the Venture Scholars program is one that has been very beneficial to me. I have to say that I did not participate in many of the discussions (on the listserv), however, I did read them and agreed with some of the other students' opinions. The program allowed me to see that there are several other minority students who are driven to succeed and that I am not alone in my ambitions as sometimes it seems. It also boosted my confidence. Initially I was just going to apply to public universities where I knew I would get in and where I knew I would be able to breeze through college. Then I observed that several of the other students were applying to Ivy League schools and places such as XXXX and so on. Because I don't want to leave home, I applied to XXXX University and they accepted me. So to conclude, I believe that the Venture Scholars program provides an invaluable service to minority students because it allows them to interact with one another and offers support to guarantee their success.

When I joined the Ventures Scholars program, I was an undirected rising high school freshman with no goals and no idea of what to do with my life. I knew one thing: that I wanted to help others. It had been predetermined that I would definitely not stick to one career, but the VS program helped me to narrow my choices and choose broad fields that would be an asset to me in any environment. I thought that I would definitely be a Princeton scholar. I did not know what I was going to do, but I just knew that XXXX had all the answers. When I came to my senses, I was able to access much information about different colleges (and college in general). The resources that VSP provided helped me to develop an idea of what I wanted in a college and helped me to narrow my choices of colleges. That also helped me in choosing my extra-curricular and community activities. When I started out, I was totally against the idea of going to a HBCU (Historically Black College or University). It seemed so regressive to me. But when I compared them with other universities, I found that their success was comparable, if not better. In the fall of my senior year, I was prepared. I applied very early to seven colleges (including XXXX University, XXXX University(HBCU), and University of XXXX) and were accepted to all of them. The application and financial aid process was a breeze, honestly in part to the advice I received from the program and other Venture Scholars. I am now a graduating high school senior who will be attending XXXX University in the fall of 2004. I have a full scholarship plus outside scholarships. Now, all that's left to do is to go.

Personally, I think that the Ventures Scholar Program is great and that it needs to continue. It definitely helped me out with finding scholarships. Also, it gave me a way to communicate with some of the top colleges and universities around the country. I know that the reason why I wanted to apply to XXXXX is because they gave special consideration to a Ventures Scholar. Another good thing about the program is the biweekly newspaper, which is a source for many information and tips, can be useful. I know that I'm always reading the biweekly newspaper to see if I can find somewhere to intern. Even though all of these things are great, the best thing about the program is knowing that if I need help or support, I can contact other Ventures Scholars.

P.S. I hope we find a corporation willing to support us because these programs are very helpful in encouraging minority students to continue with their studies in health-related fields, medicine, and engineering.

Being the first in my family to matriculate on the college and university level, I had been unaware of the plethora of opportunities that lie in higher education. The program gave me the opportunity to expand my knowledge of universities across the country and allowed me to explore the various free services that the Ventures Scholars Program offers. I was able to find information on colleges and universities which interested me and was able to apply to a variety of schools that interested me. I hope that the program can continue to aid me in the future when I am in college. The program is a testament to the pursuit of equity and prosperity in the United States.

As a Ventures Scholar, I have received numerous scholarship opportunities and help through the college admissions process. The Ventures Scholars Program provides a biweekly newsletter that aids high school students in contacting member institutions as well as learning of related scholarships. Including the Ventures Scholars Program on resumes and in essays has helped to send the message that I am strong in math and science subjects. Because of the popularity of this program, member institutions and non-member institutions have distinguished me from other candidates for either admission or scholarship.

The Ventures Scholars Program is a great program that provided me with the opportunity to talk to college students and other seniors preparing for college across the country. Having college students share their experiences with us was a good way to help us prepare for college. But not only did they share their experiences, they also shared advice and answered all our questions about college. This really gave me a great chance to feel more confident and ready for my college experience.

I just wanted to respond to your message and express the ways that the Ventures Scholars Program helped me. One of the first schools that sent me information about their school this summer was XXXX College. They sent me this information because I was a Ventures Scholar. Once I opened this mail I became very interested in XXXXX. I decided to apply for admissions, at the end of January I received a letter from XXXX saying that they had received my application and that I was one of the top minority applicants. Because of this, I was able to visit XXXX and they paid for all of my expenses. Because of this experience, XXXX became my top choice to go to college at. In the last week of March I received my acceptance letter from XXXX and I have decided to attend XXXXX next fall. In addition to getting accepted to XXXX, I also received a scholarship from XXXX, which covers all of the loans that were in my financial aid package. Furthermore the Ventures Scholars Program has helped me find scholarships specific to my career and has also put me in contact with students who have similar career interest. Moreover I wish to continue in the Ventures Scholars Program.

The Venture Scholars Program has helped make my journey from high school to college a better experience. A wide variety of colleges and college information has been made available to me by member institutions of the Ventures Scholars Program. I was also offered scholarships by some of these member institutions that I would never have learned about if it were not for the Program. I was also provided information about internships in the science field I want to pursue, college fairs in my area, career information, and many scholarships that I could take advantage of from the biweekly e-newsletter. I also had the opportunity to connect with other undergraduate Venture Scholars around the country that gave me some valuable insights on how I can expect college life, social and scholastic, to be next year as I enter my first year in college. I gained valuable information and experiences, and I am grateful to the Ventures Scholar program for helping to provide them for me.

The Ventures Program has helped a lot during high school by linking me not only to many scholarships but also to information dealing with my intended field (biology). Every two weeks I receive a newsletter filled with tidbits of encouragement that keep me going and tools that have helped me succeed. One of these tools was another Venture student's essay for college which not only helped me begin my essay, but helped me plan the format and style of my writing. Ventures is an organization that I am proud to be a part of not only because it helps minorities like myself to get into college, but it also helps us beyond college by pushing us to excel and to reach our full potentials.

Venture Scholars has helped me to locate scholarships and opportunities I had no idea existed. For instance, I went to one of their college fairs in November 2003 and found out about the Gates Millenium scholarship. I applied and now I have a good chance of winning one. I would have never known about this had Venture Scholars not shared the college night info with me. I also applied for the United Negro College Fund Scholarship through this Program. Although I will not hear from any foundation until May, the hope and the chance just to be a part of things have given me such a positive outlook on life and my future. I will continue my membership with Venture Scholars and I hope everyone else will. I would like to thank all the sponsors and staff, people I do not even know, have never met before for giving me such a wonderful gift. The gift of HOPE. I had none before I became a member, now I am full of it.

I applied to schools such as xxxxx, xxxxx, xxxxx, xxxxx, and xxxxx. I received admission to most of them, It helped me to realize the achievements I made and helped me decided to become a Chemical Engineer. Venture Scholars is a program that unites outstanding students through peer to peer help. I am glad I joined Venture Scholar Program because it gave me a better shot at gaining admission at a "prestigious" school, but it gave me guidance and help me focus my potential on my goals and future studies.

The Ventures Scholars Program has really helped me with school, especially my college search. The program is affiliated with many institutions, which allowed me to learn everything I needed to know about a school I was interested in. Sometimes they even had information on non-member institutions and there were many scholarship information which helped make that part of preparing for college easier. I think the Program also helped me when it came to admissions. Being a Ventures Scholar I think made me stand out to the admissions officers, compared to the thousands of other applicants with similar academic standing. I'm very grateful to the Ventures Scholars Program for all that it has done and I look forward to being a member throughout my four years of college.

The Ventures Scholars Program has helped both me and my parents in many ways. I learned about XXXXX because it was listed as a member institution. I followed the web site link to XXXX and was able to learn of their Marshall/Means/ Chavez Scholarship given to outstanding minority students. I am happy to say that I have received this scholarship and will be attending XXXX in the fall. When I visited XXXX, they were very happy to learn that the Ventures Scholar Program was what led a student from Texas to learn of their school in the Northeast. Also, the Ventures newsletters provided so much pertinent information to help with the college search. There were many articles that my mother read that aided in looking for financial aid and scholarships. Ventures newsletters also provided links to sites that had great information on careers. I found out that I needed to look for engineering degree programs that are accredited by ABET. Thus, you can see that I am very grateful to be a Ventures Scholar! I hope and pray that the program finds a way to continue the success that it has provided for me.

The Ventures Scholars Program had helped me get in touch with other students that are either planning to study in the same field as I am in college, or that are currently doing so as undergraduates. Also, the newsletter has helped to keep me up to date with my college process and they offer valuable information for making this huge decision. Being able to identify myself as a Venture's Scholar on college applications has helped me earn recognition as a high-achieving Hispanic student. Overall, is very easy and convenient to take advantage of the program and its numerous benefits.

I am from Dallas, Texas. The Ventures Scholars Program has helped me in that I was accepted to a member institution. I applied early action to XXXX with an interest in their electrical and computer engineering program. I was accepted and awarded a full tuition scholarship comprised of XXXX's minority scholarship and of the National Hispanic Recognition Program scholarship. I will be graduating this May and eagerly anticipate attending XXX in the fall.

I am very appreciative of the Venture Scholars Program. For me, it has opened my eyes about the reality of college and has given me even more motivation to continue to pursue my career goal of becoming a physician. On any application, stating that you are a Venture Scholar helps. It displays your academics, focus, your character, and your goals all at once. Through the Venture Scholar Program, I was able to meet other undergraduates who are in the same mind-frame and life situation. Being able to talk to someone that knows exactly what I need to do in order to reach my career goal has definitely help me. The program has many features for undergraduates and I intend to use their services throughout my college career.

The Ventures Scholars Program is a program that has given me a dedicated e-newsletter that has not only informed me of scholarships, but also that has provided a kind service through it's question and answer related section. I hope the writers of the e-newsletter provided by the Ventures Scholars Program know fully how much the letter means to some of the students who read it. And on the side note, I appreciate the quote that goes with every e-newsletter!

The Ventures Scholar Program has been helpful in providing information on a wide variety of college open houses on a regular basis throughout the school year. Additionally, I like the Ventures Scholar Network and the fact that high schoolers like myself can connect with undergraduate Scholars to get a feel for college. Other than college visitations, there is no better way to get to know what college is like unless one speaks with someone who is going through it. Additionally, I like that Ventures Scholar was able to match me up with some undergraduate students who have my same major. I really got a rounded view of what my precise coursework would be like. It was also encouraging seeing as some of the students got into great schools like XXXXX and XXXX University. Thanks Ventures Scholars

VSP has helped me learn so much about college life on a personal level. Of course, I learned a lot of general information, but much of what I've learned has been on a personal level. I now feel quite comfortable going away to college knowing how to find help for any problems I may have. It's comforting also to know that I can find any info. I need about college life just by contacting specific people at VSP or reading the newsletters. Thank you VSP!

I am a 2004 graduate. I was very proud to be selected as a Venture Scholar, based on my SAT scores. This program helped my mom and I research the support available to me in considering a college. I received a good number of excellent communications from very prestigious universities (e.g. XXXX) based on my Ventures Scholar standing. I am an only child in a single-parent home, and we have little money to put toward a 4-year degree; any support for me would have been appreciated.

Ultimately, I decided to pursue a career in the FBI and will major in Criminal Justice, with a minor in accounting; additionally, I was recruited to play soccer, so have signed a Letter of Intent with XXXX. While I won't fully utilize the opportunities as a math or science major, this in no way lessens the importance of my Ventures Scholar standing. More important, the Ventures Scholar program provides a wealth of information about scholarships available to students like me. I was fortunate in that soccer also opened doors for me. However, for the vast majority of students, especially like me, it is very hard to get information about assistance for any school outside of California.

I would like to see more information about the Ventures Scholar program distributed to all schools and would like to see more name recognition for this program, as well.

The Ventures Scholars Program has provided a means to converse with fellow students about issues that effect young people in my position. I feel more confident about making the transition from high school to college thanks to the advice of Ventures Scholars in college. I plan on attending XXXX in for fall 2004. I would not have had the courage to leave Pasadena, Texas for Cambridge, Massachusetts without the Ventures Scholars who have offered insight on the move. The program is beneficial for all students helping each in different ways.

You have been very helpful. Because of your interest in me, I began the college search process early and was anxious to be admitted and tell my success story. However, my high school grades were too low for me to be accepted into the college I wanted to go into. I have a 3.0 GPA and I realize I will have to spend at least 1 year, probably 2, at XXXX before I can transfer into another institution. I would like to know if I am able to succeed at XXXX with a 4.0 GPA will I be accepted into a school such as XXXX or XXXX. I know that I am capable and willing and I hope that my past shortcomings will be erased with a good showing in college. I plan to continue my membership in Ventures Scholar and hopefully communicate with the schools I plan on attending in two years.