MSAA Description

Objective:
To introduce academically successful minority students to the emphasis on basic sciences in agricultural majors and to the scope of applied science career opportunities in agriculture. To encourage participants to enroll in agricultural sciences at Penn State and to promote retention to graduation of those who do through mutual bonding with college faculty, staff and students.

Process:

• Provide participants hands-on experience in scientific research applied to agriculture.
• Provide participants pre-college academic counseling and career counseling with emphasis on opportunities in agriculture.
• Provide participants experiences in college residence hall and Penn State University Park campus life.

Method:
Each participant is assigned to a faculty mentor to cooperate in his/her ongoing research. Attempts are made to make each student's assignment according to his/her science interest (i.e., plant science, animal science, physical science, engineering, etc.). Participants also attend individual and group counseling and information sessions. Those who later enroll in agricultural science majors at Penn State receive special consideration for college scholarships.

Qualifications*:

• A grade point average of "B" or above enrolled in a high school program that prepares students for college.
• Career objectives and/or interests in biological or physical sciences.
• Senior class standing in high school in the 200-08 school year (i.e., rising seniors). Outstanding rising juniors will be considered if space is available.
• Member of an ethnic/racial group currently under-represented in the agricultural sciences including Black/African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native American/American Indians.
• Experience in agriculture is not required.

ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE.

*Because qualified applicants far exceed the number of spaces available, participation is usually limited to residents of Pennsylvania.

Costs:
There are no costs to participants. Each participant receives:

• A total stipend of $800.00 for the four-week period payable at two week intervals.
• Room and meals in University facilities.
• Travel subsidy for one round trip from home to State College and back home.
• Subsidies for certain social and recreational activities.

Program Dates*:
Arrival day: June 29, 2008

Departure day: July 26, 2008

*Subject to change if high school calendars change.

Application:

The program administrator is:
Dr. Catherine G. Lyons
Assistant to the Dean for Minority Affairs
College of Agricultural Sciences
101 Agricultural Administration Building
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-7521

Applicants should send, or have sent, the following items to Dr. Lyons at the above address:

• Copy of high school transcript. Include PSAT scores and class standing if available by April 1, 2008.
• Two letters of recommendation: One should be from a science teacher (including, but not limited to, biological sciences, physical sciences, agricultural sciences, mathematics, etc.). The other may be from a science teacher, a counselor, or a school administrator.
• A brief essay by the applicant stating why he or she wishes to participate in this program, what his or her career interests are, which science classes he or she likes best, and anything else the applicant believes to be important to the evaluation of the application.

Applications will be accepted until all openings are filled. Interested students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.