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Renata Birkenbuel
ICT
For first-generation Native college students, navigating the graduate school pipeline can bring out the tricksters.
For those studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Math who hope to get into a good graduate school after earning an undergraduate degree, Northeastern University offers a sweet program to guide such ambitious scholars who seek an advanced degree.
“We have had indigenous students, and we would love to include more,” said Randall Hughes, professor and associate dean for equity in the College of Science at Northeastern.
Based in Massachusetts, the university offers an all-expenses paid, three-day boot camp on demystifying the application process for graduate school. Students can apply here. The program is in its fourth year.
Hughes said it’s vitally important to help students debunk the secrets behind applying for – and getting into – graduate school.
“The graduate application process can be part of the ‘hidden curriculum,’ the processes and practices that first-generation students and others from marginalized groups have not always been exposed to,” Hughes told ICT.
“Our goal is to demystify that process and expand the pool of students who are applying to graduate programs in the fields of ecology and evolution, geoscience, marine science, and sustainability science.”
Students in those fields looking for a specialized higher-ed degree must apply for the innovative boot camp by March 15.
Bridging Each Applicant’s Chances for Higher Ed Success, also known as the BEACHES program, exists specifically for students from marginalized backgrounds who otherwise may not have access to crucial how-to-apply-for-graduate-school information.
The 2024 workshop runs from June 2 to June 5 at Northeastern University’s Boston Campus and nearby Marine Science Center in Nahant, MA.
The program focuses on underrepresented students in STEM fields and particularly those who lack easy access to the graduate school pipeline.
Workshop topics at boot camp include how to: select possible graduate programs, find and contact mentors, tell your story on a Curriculum Vitae – an itemized, academic resume, plan graduate school interviews and last but not least, learn the nuts and bolts of the application process.
Panel discussions include learning about career paths in a particular STEM field, what you wish you knew as an undergraduate and an introduction to the Northeastern graduate programs.
Participating boot camp students will be housed at Northeastern University. Meals, lodging and travel will be provided for free.
The program usually admits 8-to-12 students, depending on funding, according to Hughes.
For more information, contactmscoutreach@northeastern.edu and write BEACHES 2024 in the subject line or email.
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