The Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) is funded by the New York State Department of Education. This program was developed to increase the number of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, math, health, and licensed professions. CSTEP provides structured services which contribute to the academic and professional success of students.
Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program
CSTEP
77.3%
Students that indicated they used tutoring services. All students said they are more than satisfied with tutoring services
47%
Students that participated in our semester service project
95%
Students that participated in regular seminar meetings
90.9%
Students that indicated they were satisfied or highly satisfied with CSTEP programming this year
Benefits of Participating in CSTEP
- Individual mentoring
- Match to research labs for research experience, professional shadowing, and internships
- Academic and career counseling
- A community of motivated students for mutual support
- Tutoring support (group and individual)
- Study skills and career preparation workshops
- Opportunities to visit and connect with graduate programs
- Opportunities to present research and internship accomplishments
- Assistance with graduate test prep (GRE, GMAT, MCAT, etc.)
- Access to research and textbook stipends
- Portfolio development for graduate or professional applications
- Tailored online summer prep program for entering freshmen
Responsibilities of CSTEP Students
- Support peers in a positive, collaborative community
- Attend the weekly one-hour CSTEP seminar (starting Spring 2021)
- Develop a CSTEP student portfolio for future applications
- Participate in the annual CSTEP Showcase
- Engage in research and internship experiences
- Maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA
Student Application
Any current SUNY Oswego students or new students (new first year or transfer) are invited to complete our application. The link below is for active students. New incoming students can see the necessary information on their undergraduate applicant portal.
Eligibility
To be eligible for SUNY Oswego’s CSTEP program, students must be:
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- A New York state resident (for at least 12 months)
- Enrolled full time at SUNY Oswego
- Black/African-American, Latinx/Hispanic American, Alaskan Native, Native American or economically disadvantaged (based on state income eligibility criteria)
- Have a GPA of 2.5 or above for students at SUNY Oswego for two semesters or more
- Interested in pursuing a career in STEM or a New York state licensed profession (such as law, social work, counseling, or accounting).
What majors qualify for CSTEP?
Students who are interested in pursuing a career in STEM or a New York state licensed profession (such as law, social work, counseling, or accounting) are welcome to apply. Students majoring in areas not listed below who are planning to pursue a licensed profession are also welcome to apply. For example, philosophy students planning to go to law school or English majors planning to go to medical school would be welcome.
STEM majors include:
- Adolescent Education in any STEM field of emphasis
- Applied Mathematics
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Science
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Geochemistry
- Geology
- Information Science
- Mathematics
- Meteorology
- Physics
- Zoology
Additional majors that may provide a pathway to a licensed profession may include, but are not limited to:
- Accounting
- Human Development
- Psychology
- Wellness Management
What are the benefits of participating in CSTEP?
- Individual mentoring
- Match to research labs for research experience, professional shadowing opportunities, and internship opportunities
- Academic and career counseling
- A group of similarly motivated students to support each other’s progress
- Tutoring support (group and individual)
- Study skills and career preparation workshops
- Opportunities to visit and connect with graduate programs
- Opportunities to present student research and internship accomplishments and build résumé experiences
- Assistance with graduate test preparation classes (GRE, GMAT, MCAT, etc.)
- Access to CSTEP research stipends and textbook stipends
- Opportunity to develop a portfolio appropriate for applying for graduate programs or professional positions
- Access to a tailored summer preparation program for entering freshmen delivered fully online
What are the responsibilities of students participating in CSTEP?
- Support other CSTEP students in a positive community of achievement, collaboration, and celebration
- Attend the weekly one-hour CSTEP seminar that will include tutoring and building skills in career development, research, networking, and academic skills (beginning Spring 2021)
- Develop a CSTEP student portfolio including materials that will be useful for applying to graduate school or professional positions
- Participate in the annual CSTEP Showcase where students can exhibit their achievements
- Participate in research and internship experiences that further students’ goals
- Maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA
CSTEP Stipend Application
All stipend applications are reviewed by a committee to determine eligibility. Potential funding amounts will differ annually, based on budget. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
Types of stipends that current SUNY Oswego CSTEP students can apply for:
CSTEP Emergency Fund Stipend
In alignment with the goal of CSTEP to provide students with services or financial assistance to support their education in pursuit of a career in STEM and license professions, CSTEP will award students an emergency fund stipend. The purpose of this stipend is to assist CSTEP students that are currently experiencing extreme financial hardship that will interfere with the attainment of educational goals. Examples of hardship may include:
- Family emergencies
- Personal emergencies
- Graduate school testing fee
- Graduate school application fee
- Other circumstances not listed that will be considered, on a case by case basis.
CSTEP Outstanding Service Stipend
In alignment with the goal of CSTEP to support participation of students in service to the community, CSTEP will award students an outstanding service stipend. The purpose of this stipend is to award students that have participated in service beyond the expectation of the program objectives.
CSTEP Showcase Stipend
In alignment with the goal of CSTEP to provide students with professional development opportunities, the SUNY Oswego CSTEP program will award student stipends for those students who present in the annual Showcase event. The purpose of this stipend is to provide funding to offset costs associated with developing the presentation to include; supplies, research time, and materials. All students that present at the annual showcase, should apply for this stipend.
CSTEP Peer Mentor Stipend
In alignment with the goal of CSTEP to promote services that engage the students in academic enrichment and professional development opportunities, CSTEP will award stipends to students that participate as CSTEP Peer Mentors. The purpose of this stipend is to award students that have served as a CSTEP Peer Mentor for a semester. Awards will be determined by funds allowed by budget year and the number of mentees assigned.
CSTEP Research Stipend
In alignment with the goal of CSTEP to promote services that engage the students in academic enrichment and professional development opportunities, CSTEP will award stipends to students that participate in research opportunities.
CSTEP Research Stipends are awarded each semester to students who participate in research labs on-campus.
Our Students
At CSTEP, we are thankful to have such determined, hard-working, and compassionate students. They work diligently throughout the academic year to achieve their personal goals and excel on campus. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and are pursuing a multitude of career paths. They enrich our program with a diverse community that learns and grows together. At any given time throughout the year, you can find our students hanging around our office. Whether it's studying or catching up with friends, CSTEP is a safe space for everyone.
I am beyond grateful for everything this program has given me. I hope it stays with Oswego for many years to come, and I plan on staying engaged even after I am no longer a student.
I thought the CSTEP program did very well despite external circumstances. This year was very challenging for me to stay motivated. CSTEP has given me the resources and academic support to turn it around. I hope to see everyone physically next year! Thanks guys!
I like the CSTEP program because it provides resources that will help me in the future. Thinking about my future career and the next steps after undergrad was overwhelming. After joining CTSEP, I became aware that there are a plethora of resources, and people, I can contact that will help make the process easier and less overwhelming.
Visit Us
CSTEP at SUNY Oswego
Shineman Center
Room 398, Floor 3L
30 Centennial Drive
Oswego, New York 13126
Contact Us
Phone Contact: (315) 312-4903
Director: Christina Vasquez
Assistant Director: Stephanie Wallace
Email Contact: [email protected]
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