Once You Arrive at Your Destination

(Look for Similar Programs on other Campuses)

At a large university or a small college, there is always a need for support. Sometimes that need for support can be fulfilled by friends or family, but other times it takes more. On campus you can find support through offices or counseling as well as through organizations which can help you become more involved with community or school. Whichever way works best for you is fine, keep in mind that needs change. So, you may use all or none of these resources during your college experience.

The Office of Minority Affairs, located in Schmitz Hall, runs a program called the Educational Opportunity Program. This is a program created to encourage greater cultural and economic diversity at the University of Washington. The program is open to underrepresented minority students from Native American, African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic backgrounds. It is available to low income students of all races and students of all races whose parents do not have four-year college degrees as well as the minority students. Admissions must be made through UGA but the office offers career/educational counseling, housing assistance, and promotional, retention and graduation counseling in addition to dealing with personal issues. To apply for admission through the EOP you need an admissions packet from the Office of Minority Affairs. Write or call to request the packet.

Besides these specific offices, there are other more general ways to receive support or become involved. Included is a list of local and regional organizations that provide services for women. The starred organizations are places you can call for possible internships or volunteer work.

In addition to support, if you would like to become involved on campus, call the New Student Programs at 685-2705 or stop by 34-Communications Building. Also, be sure to check The Daily a University of Washington newspaper which lists opportunities and special engagements.

Internships and volunteer work are great ways to become involved as well as a strong element to any application or resume. The Carlson Leadership and Public Service Office, located in 34 Communications, offers these very opportunities. Their goal is to "promote, support, and organize opportunities for undergraduates to become involved in effective public service". They offer service learning courses, student service initiatives, internships, and the community service "clearinghouse" of opportunities, among other things. If you feel you need more help, feel free to attend one of the internship and community service information sessions available through the Carlson Leadership and Public Service Office. You can find out more about these sessions through signs posted around campus or by calling the office.

~ Get connected on UWIN and access scholarship information through the University of Washington.

Here's how to locate scholarships:

1) Go to Carson

2) Access UWIN

3) Go to "information for students"

4) Choose "scholarship opportunities"

5) Now you have choices- you may choose "category"

6) Then pick a school of specialty such as Biology, or any other option. You now have all the scholarships at the University at your finger tips.

~ Go to the library and look for scholarship books.

At the Suzzallo Library on campus, there is an abundance of books. Here's how to find them:

* Enter the main doors off of Red Square.

* Go straight past the main desk and down a long hallway.

* About half-way down the hall is a sign hanging from the ceiling pointing right towards, among other places, the reference desk.

* Follow this sign and go down the stairs.

* At the bottom of the stairs is the reference desk on the left and a reference catalogue on the right.

* Walk to shelf 30 (if you are facing the reference catalogue, it is a short shelf to the left).

* In the top two shelves you will find books about financial opportunities.

* To the left of these are college guides.

Of particular interest may be;

-Free Money for Mathematics and Natural Sciences by Laurie Blum

-The Directory of Financial Aids for Women published by Reference Press

-The Directory of Financial Aids for Minorities published by Reference Press

-State and Federal Aid Programs for College Students

~ Go to The Carlson Leadership Office in 34 Communications and find organizations (on or off campus) with which you are interested in becoming involved.

The clearinghouse, an extensive list of internship possibilities, is located on a workbench to the right of the entrance. There are white binders with colored labels listing organizations alphabetically. The staff is extremely helpful and available to answer your questions.

In addition to the clearinghouse, there are brochures available listing environmental organizations you can become involved with and volunteer opportunities in the University District.