Summer Enrichment in Health Care

June 24 - August 3, 2012

A six week summer residential program for current 11th grade students from Vermont interested in health careers

CollegeQuest to Health Careers FAQs

CollegeQuest to Health Careers Brochure

CollegeQuest to Health Careers Application

CollegeQuest to Health Careers Reference Form

Focusing on personal & professional development:

Personal Well-being: Students learn skills to help them balance their school workload and personal interests to keep stress levels down and have healthy outlets when stress is elevated.

Leadership: Experts from across Vermont will engage students in discussions about today's health care environment and the opportunities to make a significant impact as a practitioner in the future.

Community Health Projects: Students explore how health professionals might address public health issues, i.e. prescription drug abuse in their communities.

College Preparation: Participants will leave CollegeQuest to Health Careers with a completed common application for college, their top three schools identified, and a polished, personal essay.

Program Goals

• Provide college preparation and enrichment programs to enhance students competitiveness for college entry
• Introduce high school students to health care professions with emphasis on behavioral/mental health, pharmacy, and primary care
• Strengthen skills and resources for health career development
• Experience residential life on a college campus
• Provide positive peer mentorship to support students into future health care positions
• Cultivate Vermont students for future health care positions within their own community, with a "grow our own" philosophy

Staff

CollegeQuest to Health Careers is led by faculty who have extensive experience working with youth and health education. Supervision is provided by Assistants directors 24/7 throughout the six-week program.

Residential Life

All campers and staff counselors will stay in the residential halls on the College of St. Joseph campus. There will be opportunities for relaxation and recreation on campus, as well as through planned outdoor activities in the Rutland area.

Midway through the program students will have a 4-day break during which they can return home.

A well-structured and diversified program, supported by AHEC staff and health professions college students, will ensure you have a valuable educational and pre-professional experience.

Activities Include

• Experiential learning in areas of behavioral health, pharmacy and primary care
• Learning basic medical skills
• Introduction to College Studies course from Community College of Vermont
• College application preparation
• Activities focused on leadership, personal wellness, and current social issues affecting the health care field
• Exploration of career and educational goals
• VSAC financial aid preparation & resources for college including a parent workshop on the federal FAFSA application, Vermont grants and scholarship information

Admission Process

To attend College Quest to Health Careers you must be a student currently in 11th grade who lives in Vermont. Applications may be obtained from school nurses and guidance counselors, VSAC counselors, or may be downloaded here. Applications must be received by the Northeastern Vermont AHEC office on or before March 29, 2012. Participants are selected based on the strength of their application and letters of recommendation.

You Should Apply If...

• You can commit to a 6 week summer program.
• You have a strong interest in a health care career, especially in the pharmacy, primary care or behavioral health fields.
• You plan on applying to a college or university to pursue a health care degree or certificate.
• You are from a modest income family.

Eligibility

There is no cost to attend this program. Food and housing are provided to participants. Eligible students will be either modest income or the first in their family to attend college. Qualified students will also earn money for college while attending this program.

For more information, please contact:

Champlain Valley AHEC
Attn: College Quest to Health Careers
92 Fairfield Street
St. Albans, VT 05478
Phone: 802/527-1474 • Fax: 802/527-1632
Email: jnesbitt@cvahec.org

Sponsored by the Vermont AHEC Network

Assistant Directors Needed for CollegeQuest, Summer 2012