STEM-passionate students: from our Pre-College STEM Programs to your College Admissions

Together, we are reinventing the relationship between pre-college STEM programs and college admissions by working with admissions offices at colleges and universities along with organizations involved in the college admissions process.

STEM PUSH Pre-College STEM Programs Bring Quality

STEM PUSH Network programs have an equity focus and are free for qualifying (or all) student participants. Many programs offer a stipend, recognizing that students are choosing this STEM experience over a job or other family responsibilities.

Quality through Accreditation

All STEM PUSH Network programs are aligning to our quality standards . Built around these quality standards, STEM PUSH has partnered with Middle States Association to build a “next-generation accreditation system” that centers equity in broadening access and participation in STEM.

Research studies have shown…

Pre-college STEM Programs (PCSPs) have been shown to positively affect students’ analytical and critical thinking skills, STEM content knowledge and exposure, and self-efficacy through STEM-focused enrichment and research experiences. Additional research suggests that PCSP experiences are key influencers in students’ pursuit of STEM majors and careers. Given this, and the high enrollment of students from underrepresented groups in PCSPs, STEM PUSH is working to leverage PCSPs in admissions decisions to maximize college access and career outcomes.

STEM PUSH is studying outcomes & impact

STEM PUSH is conducting the first-ever, large, cross-program, NSF-funded research study of the impact of pre-college STEM programs on student matriculation and persistence in STEM post-secondary education. Read more here .