Admissions
How to Join
1. Be a student at one of our partner schools!
Our partner high schools are Jeremiah E. Burke, Dorchester Academy, TechBoston Academy, and South Boston Educational Complex (Excel, Monument and Odyssey). We recruit ninth and tenth graders. Our partner middle schools are Young Achievers, Gavin, Tech Boston Academy, and McCormack. We recruit sixth and seventh graders. (Eighth graders from TechBoston only).
Keep in mind that you don't have to have the top grade point average in your school. Even though you'll be expected to keep your grades above a B (3.0) average once you're admitted to Urban Scholars, you can make a competitive application based on your desire, leadership potential, work ethic and other talents.
2. Get nominated!
A teacher, counselor, principal, alum of Urban Scholars, community member, or just about anyone who knows a student can nominate him or her. You can also nominate yourself.
3. Learn more!
Once the students are nominated they are then asked to participate in an informational session where they are given the facts about the program.
4. Apply!
Fill out an application including three essays and two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a teacher. Urban Scholars looks for students who are academically talented and/or who have strong leadership skills.
- If you are in middle school download Middle School Application.
- If you are in high school download High School Application.
5. Interview!
Urban Scholars will call you to set up an interview where applicants meet staff members to discuss their application.
6. Qualifications!
Urban Scholars seeks to provide opportunities to students from our partner schools, low-income families and/or first generation college students. We request that interested students provide school transcripts, grade release form and income verification documentation. The income information is used solely to determine qualifications and is not shared with anyone outside of Urban Scholars staff.
For more information on any of these steps click here to contact us by email or call 617-287-5830.
Stipend
"This program is like a job because we get paid and we gain knowledge." – Isaac Divers, Dorchester High School
Stipends are provided to Urban Scholar students so that their economic situations will not get in the way of participation. Stipends are paid monthly.
Stipends are awarded with the understanding that students will attend and actively participate in all classes and required activities, and complete all homework assignments. Failure to meet these minimal requirements will result in stipends being reduced appropriately.
High School Stipends
High school students receive $800.00 for participation in the seven-week Summer Institute. During the academic year, high school students receive $25.00 per week for participation in required activities: classes, college-counseling, career awareness activities, school projects, and some cultural activities.
During the academic year, high school students can earn additional stipend income, up to $25.00 per week, (based on $5.00 per hour) for participation in other activities: tutoring, supervised study, skill packets, and special projects. Special projects - such as work with Mass Media, a community service project (specific examples -- link to special projects section of site - maybe the photo gallery?) can be worked out with the staff on a contractual basis. Students are encouraged to discuss their special project ideas with staff.
Middle School Stipends
Middle school students receive $175.00 for participation in the seven-week Summer Institute. During the academic year, middle school students receive $15.00 per week for participation in required activities including classes, college and career awareness activities, etc.
