Minds Matter

Denver - Students FAQ

What are the requirements for a student to be accepted into the Minds Matter of Denver program?
Minds Matter is looking for students who:

Are enrolled in Grade 10 or 11 during the 2009-2010 academic year and interested in pursuing a college education
Demonstrate strong academic potential, motivation, maturity, time management and responsibility
Maintain an overall grade point average of at least 3.5
Are active in extracurricular and/or community activities (part time jobs included)
Students must qualify for free or reduced lunch
Would benefit greatly from a summer academic experience

What is the cost of the Minds Matter of Denver program?
Minds Matter helps students apply for financial aid awards and raises funds to supplement financial aid. Thus, the program is of no cost to the student, his/her family, or school.

When is the application deadline?
The priority deadline for the 2010-2011 academic school year is Friday, May 28, 2010; the final deadline is Friday, September 17, 2010. Please mail all application items together.

How and when are students notified as to whether they were accepted into the program?
Students invited to interview will be contacted by telephone or email in either June or September. The time and location of the interviews have yet to be determined. Students will be notified of Minds Matter's admissions decision by either July or October.

How often does the Minds Matter of Denver program meet?
Minds Matter of Denver sessions are held on Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the school year. (Dinner is provided for all students.)

Where do weekly sessions take place?
The location and start date will be given to admitted students in early October.

What process is used to match Minds Matter of Denver students with their mentors?
Minds Matter of Denver takes mentor/mentee matching very seriously. Volunteers and students alike are asked a series of questions during the application process as well as the interview to assess interests (hobbies, personal background, career, etc), areas of strength, and areas of improvement so that the Directors of Volunteers and Directors of Mentees may do their best to ensure a good match and overall experience for both the mentors and mentees.

Do students stay with the same mentors throughout their entire Minds Matter of Denver experience?
Ideally, a mentee will have the same mentors from the day she or he starts the program until the day that she or he graduates from high school. Minds Matter of Denver does its best to assess each volunteer's availability and match him or her accordingly. We do, however, understand that "life happens" and sometimes do experience turnover due to unforeseen circumstances such as job/city changes and graduate school. Luckily, Minds Matter of Denver is growing and continues to attract enthusiastic, talented mentors.

What criteria are taken into consideration when matching a student to a summer program?
In early spring, the Directors of Sophomore and Junior Mentees begin to work behind the scenes with the summer programs. Based on each student's attendance, commitment and involvement in the program, and the scholarship money offered to each student, the Directors of Sophomore and Junior Mentees work with the Mentors and Program Directors to place each student in a summer program. Students are notified of their placement in April - May.

Who can I contact if I have other questions about being a student in the Minds Matter of Denver program?
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the Denver office at denver@mindsmatter.org, and you will be directed to the appropriate contact within the organization.

Minds Matter, Inc.
1120 Avenue of Americas
4th Floor
New York, NY 10036
info@mindsmatter.org
212.626.6584