Stay tuned for more information about Summer 2017.
Who should apply to the program?
We welcome applications from a wide variety of students. Motivated, creative, resourceful, enthusiastic, inquisitive, and academically talented—these are only a few of the adjectives that describe our participants. If you are eager to engage in exciting challenges, learn how to conduct in-depth investigations in your area of interest, sustain a long-term commitment, and meet new people, you are a candidate for UConn Mentor Connection.
MINIMUM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
– ranked in the top 25% of your class
– minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher on an unweighted 4.0 scale
– full completion of application materials (3 essays, 2 teacher recommendations, transcript)
Applications are reviewed by the admissions team for program eligibility and for optimal match between students and selected sites.
Please note that you must be a current sophomore or junior in high school in order to apply.
How do I apply?
Completed applications must be submitted by March 13, 2015 and are evaluated by a team of educators who closely examine materials to determine a student’s compatibility for the intended site, as well as the program as a whole.
NOTE: The original application deadline has passed, and we are currently reviewing applications. We will continue to accept applications for any remaining openings, with rolling admission as applications are received. Please submit applications as soon as possible.
This application to UConn Mentor Connection is intended for highly motivated and talented rising high school juniors and seniors. All information provided will be treated as confidential and used solely for selection and/or financial aid purposes by the staff of UConn Mentor Connection.
PLEASE NOTE that you are able to save and continue your progress at a later time if you are using the same computer and have not cleared your cookies.
If you are unable to use the same computer as the one on which you begin this application at a later date, please be sure you have ALL of the following information before you begin as your information will not be saved if you stop before submitting the full application:
- Parent/guardian phone and email address
- Guidance counselor and principal email addresses
- Two references’ names and email addresses
- Essays in PDF format
- Mentorship site choices
- Parent/guardian 2014 tax return information (if applying for financial aid online; you may mail a separate application if you prefer)
- Transcript and test scores
Please see the bottom of this page for more information about preparing your essays, submitting references and transcripts, and applying for financial aid.
Acceptance into the program
Tuition: $5,800.00*. Please make check payable to University of Connecticut. Please note we are unable to accept credit cards.
The tuition charge of $5,800.00 includes the complete housing package in a University of Connecticut residence hall for 27 nights as well as a full meal plan. This amount also includes participation in field trips, recreational activities, social activities, and special events. The cost does not include transportation to or from the University of Connecticut.
Three University of Connecticut credits will be available to participants as an option in most sites, provided that students meet specific requirements. Guidelines for earned credit will be available from program staff, and credit is granted at the discretion of mentors and program staff. Please note that the university will not allow us to award credit to students who are not U.S. citizens.
You will be notified of admission decisions via email in early April. Please be sure the email address you provide is active and check your email regularly during this time.
If accepted you must accept or decline your site placement by the date indicated in the instructions in the email. If you accept your site placement you will receive a welcome packet in the mail within two weeks that will contain several forms that must be signed and returned. A non-refundable deposit of $500.00 will be due on April 30, 2015 to hold your spot. The remaining balance of $5,300.00 (minus any financial aid) will be due on July 6, 2015.*
*Note: Scholarship support may be available for students demonstrating financial need. You will be able to indicate a request for financial aid within your application, and in some cases the deposit and balance may be discounted or waived.
Helpful Information for Preparing Your Application
References
Ask two teachers to provide us with recommendations. Please think about which teachers may be best able to describe you as a student. Also, consider asking a teacher who can talk about your work in a subject area related to the area of your first choice mentorship site. They will be able to fill out their recommendations (through answering questions about your academic strengths and/or uploading a letter of reference) online by clicking the link above or here. Though electronic format is preferred, references may also mail recommendations to the address provided below.
Please make sure your teachers have agreed to provide your recommendation before listing them here. It is your responsibility to give them the link to the online form.
Transcripts and Test Scores
Guidance counselors may mail transcripts and test scores or upload them (in .pdf format) using the link above or here.
Essays
Write an essay to respond to each of the following three topics. Each essay should be in a separate file (.pdf format) and uploaded in the online application.
- Each essay should be approximately one page in length.
- Put your name at the top of each essay.
Task Commitment:
Task commitment refers to your ability to initiate work and persevere in spite of problems or obstacles. Think about your own task commitment and identify a project, activity, or assignment that required your initiative and perseverence. Tell about the project, explain how you initiated the work, describe the obstacles you faced, and explain how you overcame the difficulties.
Goals:
Goals refer to intentions we create for ourselves. Write about a goal you have to which you think Mentor Connection can contribute. What have you done recently to move closer to accomplishing your goal? How do you think that participating in your chosen mentorship site will further your goal?
Personal:
Tell us a little about yourself. For example, what do you like to do with your free time? What would be your favorite way to spend a Saturday evening? What kinds of after school activities are you involved in? How do you balance studying with your other pursuits and interests?
Financial Aid
A limited number of need-based full or partial scholarships are available for the 2015 UConn Mentor Connection program. Please note that awards will be made based on need, not merit.
There is a short financial aid application requiring information from your parent or guardian’s 2014 federal tax return. If you are accepted to the program, a copy of that tax return will be required for income verification BEFORE you can be awarded a scholarship. This can be uploaded within your application or mailed seperately.
All information will be kept confidential and used only by the UConn Mentor Connection staff to determine financial aid. Admission decisions are made separately from financial aid decisions, and nothing entered on the financial aid form will affect your admission.
If you do not wish to apply for financial aid using the online application, please mail a letter including the following information:
- parent/guardian(s) name, occupation, and highest level of education
- number of children living at home
- parent(s) adjusted gross income for 2014 (if parents/guardians filed separately, please add the two numbers together)
- detailed reasons for need of scholarship
Additionally, please remember to submit a copy of your parent or guardian’s tax return (Form 1040). Your financial aid request will not be processed without this information.
Mailing Address
All supplementary materials should be mailed to:
UConn Mentor Connection Selection Committee
2131 Hillside Road, Unit 3007
Storrs, CT 06269-3007
Please contact us at mentorconnection@uconn.edu with any questions.