A gateway to the future

The Entrada Scholars Program at Calvin College offers racial ethnic minority high school students a gateway to the future: the opportunity to experience college learning and living while earning college credit.

Dates

July 12–August 8, 2019

Application deadline: March 1, 2019.

Highlights

  • Enroll in a 3 or 4 credit college course in areas such as English, history, biology or psychology
  • Use Calvin’s state-of-the-art fitness facilities for activities like rock climbing and swimming
  • Participate in group devotions
  • Spend a fun day at Michigan’s largest amusement park, Michigan Adventure
  • Perform in Entrada Talent Night

How to apply

Applications must be received by March 1, 2019. Applicants will be notified by the end of April regarding admissions decisions. Please review the above eligibility requirements before applying.

Juniors (grade 11)
  1. Complete the Entrada application (accessed via the Slate application portal).
  2. Complete and submit the following supplemental materials:
Seniors (grade 12)
  1. Be admitted to Calvin (Apply for admission »)
  2. Complete and submit the following forms:
  3. Those selected to participate in the Entrada Scholars Program will need to enroll into Passport II.
Nominate a Scholar

By nominating a student for the Entrada Scholars Program, Calvin College will provide the nominee with an application for the program. Nominations are not required for the application process, though they do provide additional endorsement of an applicant’s character and academic preparation. Nominations must be received by January 11, 2019.

Nomination form
Entrada 2018 Photos
  • Students sit in a circle on the ground of the chapel patio, talking with each other.
  • Students wearing lanyards, with pamphlets in hand, gather around to hear more about college life.
  • A group of students smile at the camera, with a volleyball game going in the background.
  • Students picking weeds in a tall grassy field carry the plants while looking around for more.
  • A student squats down on the ground, drawing with several colors of chalk on the sidewalk.
  • Three boys stand on stage, laughing as they deliver a performance, with green light behind them.
  • Several students sit together on the ground, tinted in blue light from the show before them.
  • Three girls sing with microphones as they lead in a time of worship at a chapel.
  • A group of students pose for a silly picture in the chapel, one with a saxophone.
  • Three students sitting on a bench in a park look up and smile for the camera.
  • Five students smile for the camera as they sit together on a blanket in the grass.
  • Two girls play their violins in a chapel service, with a guitar player in the background.
  • Students sit in a circle on the ground of the chapel patio, talking with each other.

    Click for gallery

  • Students wearing lanyards, with pamphlets in hand, gather around to hear more about college life.
  • A group of students smile at the camera, with a volleyball game going in the background.
  • Students picking weeds in a tall grassy field carry the plants while looking around for more.
  • A student squats down on the ground, drawing with several colors of chalk on the sidewalk.
  • Three boys stand on stage, laughing as they deliver a performance, with green light behind them.
  • Several students sit together on the ground, tinted in blue light from the show before them.
  • Three girls sing with microphones as they lead in a time of worship at a chapel.
  • A group of students pose for a silly picture in the chapel, one with a saxophone.
  • Three students sitting on a bench in a park look up and smile for the camera.
  • Five students smile for the camera as they sit together on a blanket in the grass.
  • Two girls play their violins in a chapel service, with a guitar player in the background.

 

How it works

College learning

Entrada scholars take a 3 or 4 credit hour course along with Calvin College students. The scholars are expected to meet the same course requirements as the Calvin students.

Scholars are assigned an academic coach: a trained teacher who attends classes alongside them in the morning and leads a study period (academic coaching session) with the scholars following the class. Academic coaches model and teach scholars how to be successful in both their specific course and in college. Entrada scholars often do as well as, or better than, the Calvin students in their courses.

College credit

Entrada scholars take one college course such as history, biology, philosophy, communications or psychology. With successful completion of the course, scholars will have earned 3 or 4 credit hours of Calvin College credit. This credit is transferable to most colleges. For scholars who come to Calvin, the credit and the grade value become part of their Calvin academic record. For scholars who do not come to Calvin, the Calvin registrar's office can assist with transferring the earned credit to their school of choice.

College living

Entrada scholars come from all over the United States and are enriched through their interactions with one another as well as the Calvin students in their classes. Scholars also benefit tremendously from the activities and events held outside of class time. Scholars go shopping and to the movies; they play laser tag and sand volleyball and lead service-learning activities in the local community. Worship services at local churches, Bible studies and daily devotions give scholars the opportunity to grow in their walk with God. Scholars are free to use campus facilities, eg. gymnasium, pool, computer labs, library, music studios, etc. The four weeks of work, worship and play during Entrada give scholars the opportunity to build and maintain a sense of true community and lifelong friendships.

Who is eligible

United States racial and ethnic minority students (African, Hispanic, Asian or Native Americans) who are currently enrolled in either their junior or senior year of high school (grades 11 and 12) may apply for the Entrada Scholars Program if they meet the following criteria:

Juniors (grade 11)
  • U.S. citizenship or U.S. legal permanent residency
  • A high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Enrolled in a college preparatory track in high school
Seniors (grade 12)
  • U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency
  • A high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Admitted to Calvin College as a student for the Fall semester

Students enrolling in the Entrada Scholars Program after their senior year of high school must also be enrolled to attend Calvin College in the coming fall.

Costs and scholarships

All students accepted into the Entrada Scholars Program receive a grant valued at more than $4,200. This grant covers the costs of Entrada, including tuition, room and board, books, supplies and activities. Upon acceptance, scholars will be asked to send a fee of $500 to confirm their enrollment. Scholars who successfully complete Entrada and come to Calvin following high school receive a $4,000 Entrada Scholarship for up to 4 years. In addition, Entrada Scholars may qualify for the $4,000 Mosaic Scholarship as well as other merit-based scholarships.

Contact

For more information please contact:

College Access Programs
Calvin College
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
616-526-6749
1-800-688-0122
Email: entrada@calvin.edu