The deadline to register for the 2014 PEOPLE (Pre-College Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence) summer enrichment and college preparatory workshops is March 21, 2014.
Students who successfully complete PEOPLE program are eligible for a tuition scholarship to attend UW-Madison, but must independently apply and be admitted.
PEOPLE is a year-round learning adventure that challenges and stimulates students who are considering a college education and is UW-Madison’s most successful venture in creating opportunities for under-represented youth to attend college.
The six-year program begins in the summer after sixth grade and continues until high school graduation.
The middle school program currently serves students in the Madison Metropolitan School District and Menominee Indian School District.
The program begins in high school in other parts of the state, including Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine and Kenosha.
To be selected, PEOPLE participants must be African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian American (emphasis on Southeast Asian American, Chicano/a, Puerto Rican, Latino/a, and/or economically disadvantaged.
Other requirements include a minimum 2.75 grade point average in English, science, social studies, math and world language.
Priority is given to students eligible for the free or reduced lunch program.
“The middle school summer workshops are designed to ensure students start thinking early about college majors and how those majors translate into careers,” says Jacqueline DeWalt, PEOPLE executive director.
“The high school-level college prep curriculum includes three years of science enrichment, math enhancement, performing arts & fine arts in preparation for applying to and attending UW-Madison.
The program’s support follows each student into their college career and through earning their undergraduate degree.”
At every stage, PEOPLE program participants benefit from being surrounded and mentored by older PEOPLE scholars and graduates as a key “reaching back” component of the program, DeWalt added.
The PEOPLE program prepares students to pursue and succeed in academic majors offered in every school and college at UW-Madison.
Former PEOPLE Scholars have gone on to earn graduate degrees at UW-Madison and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School, she added.
The 2014 middle school session will be June 16- July 3 for sixth and seventh grade students and June 16-July 19 for 8th grade students.
This year’s 27 middle school workshops include topics from chemistry, gaming, Hip-Hop and sound design, to human biology, computer design, law and veterinary science.
In order to enroll, students must currently be in sixth grade and attending the Madison Metropolitan or Menominee Indian School District.
The 2014 high school summer workshops will be held June 22 – July 12 for 9th and 10th grade students and June 22-Aug. 1 for 11th grade students.
In preparation for applying to attend UW-Madison, the high school curriculum focuses on building academic skills & exposure to cultural arts for freshman and sophomores.
PEOPLE provides a three-week residential program on the UW–Madison campus that includes math, science, study skills and writing skills development; ACT preparation; workshops in the biological and physical sciences, engineering, biomedical research and health sciences; and an evening curriculum in the fine and performing arts.
From June 22 to August 1, 2014, high school juniors will focus on internship and research experiences during a six-week residential internship/research experience through placements with hospitals, media companies, local businesses and the University.
First–year seminars increase students’ understanding of themselves as young adults with valuable insights and experiences.
UW–Madison faculty and public high school English teachers introduce new ways to view, approach and cultivate the thesis driven writing process.
Second-year seminars focus on critical thinking and literary analysis for college-level writing that can be applied across academic disciplines, and writing seminars focus on multicultural awareness and critical issues.
Between summer sessions, students are eligible for year-round academic support.
During the school year UW-Madison faculty, staff and graduate students meet with PEOPLE participants for academic skills development, college classroom experiences, campus orientation, cultural enrichment activities, and career exploration.
On-site academic enrichment centers at four Madison high schools maximize opportunities for educational excellence.
Parent and student orientation sessions provide information about preparing for, applying to, and paying for college.
Campus visits assist students and families in choosing an academic and career interest area.
Help with navigating the college application process is always available.
During the school year, the UW-Madison PEOPLE staff provides academic skills development and tutorial services.
Students also are required to attend cohort meetings where they participate in campus orientation and cultural enrichment activities.
Following their senior high school year and graduation, students who have been admitted to UW-Madison participate in an eight-week bridgeto- college program during the summer for college credit and orientation to university life as an undergraduate.
Students take rigorous university courses, earn credits toward an undergraduate degree, and interact with other students, faculty and staff.
To apply online go to: www.peopleprogram.wisc.edu.
Since 1999, participation in the UW-Madison PEOPLE program has increased from 66 high school students to over 1,300 students, ranging from second grade to the undergraduate college level.
Collaborative work with the K-12 public education system and Indian Tribal Nation schools is expanding the pool of students from underrepresented groups who qualify to attend top-ranked universities.
Upon graduation from high school, PEOPLE students admitted to UW-Madison who have completed the summer bridge-to-college program will be eligible for an instate undergraduate tuition scholarship for up to four years.
In order to receive the PEOPLE scholarship, students must complete the FAFSA.
Although completing the PEOPLE program does not guarantee admission to the University of Wisconsin– Madison, 100 percent of PEOPLE students graduate from high school and 94 percent enroll in higher education.
