CEDS/WISE

College Experience for Diverse Students (CEDS) and Women in Science in Engineering (WISE) are free, non-residential summer programs offered to academically talented students entering their senior year of high school.

College Experience for Diverse Students (CEDS)

College Experience for Diverse Students (CEDS, formerly called Minority College Experience) offers students of color, first-generation college-education seekers, and those who are economically disadvantaged the opportunity to explore their higher education and career options. CEDS is open to both male and female students about to enter their senior year of high school. 

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) encourages females of all backgrounds who are entering their senior year of high school to explore career paths they might not have considered in the sciences, engineering, environmental studies, information technology, and health care. 

Earn Free College Credit And More

There is no cost to participate in CEDS or WISE. In both programs, students earn 3 or 4 Penn State credits by enrolling in a Penn State Behrend summer course and learning beside current Behrend students. In addition, CEDS and WISE students participate in special academic and career-focused field trips, workshops, and lectures led by Penn State Behrend faculty and professionals from local businesses and organizations. 

CEDS and WISE students do not pay tuition. In addition, they receive any necessary textbooks, parking permits, or bus passes needed, and are given an allowance to pay for lunch when on campus. The only cost to the participants may be admission fees for some optional field trips.

Students who complete the CEDS or WISE summer course with a grade-point average of 3.0 or better will be assured admission to Penn State Behrend following high school graduation and completion of the Penn State application process.

Schedule

The CEDS or WISE student's individual schedule will determine when he/she is on campus. Class schedules will be set during the Scheduling and Orientation meeting. For summer 2019, Behrend classes begin on June 26 and conclude with final exams on August 9.

The courses CEDS and WISE students are able to enroll in are scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. These classes meet three, four, or five days a week, depending on the course and credit load. All students in both programs are required to participate in workshops every Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.; additional optional workshops and field trips are offered throughout the week.

CEDS and WISE are non-residential programs and cannot accommodate students who require housing to participate.

Academic Requirements

Students applying for CEDS or WISE should:

• Be a high school junior
• Have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 
• Have PSAT or SAT scores of 990 or higher 

Placement Testing and Advising

Students who are accepted into CEDS or WISE will be required to take an online placement test to determine their math proficiency. Students will also take part in an orientation, academic advising, and course registration program held prior to the beginning of classes. Academic advisers will use the test results to make appropriate course placements during the registration portion of the program.

Important Dates for 2019

• Information Session: Wednesday, April 3, 7:00 p.m., Reed Union Building Auditorium (second floor)
• Application deadline: Monday, April 15
• Scheduling and Orientation: Wednesday, June 5 (time/location details will be distributed to participants)
• Programs begin: Tuesday, June 25 
• Classes begin: Wednesday, June 26
• No classes: Thursday, July 4
• Last Day of Class: Wednesday, August 7
• Final Exams: Friday, August 9 

Need More Information? 

Contact Melissa Grimm, a counselor in the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, at 814-898-6100 or email mgrimm@psu.edu.

Application Details

• Applicants must be high school juniors during the 2018-19 school year.
• The deadline to apply for the summer 2019 CEDS or WISE programs is April 15, 2019.
• Prior to starting the application:
  • Print the counselor recommendation form (PDF) | (Word). Give the counselor recommendation form to your high school guidance counselor. 
  • Complete and print the Nondegree Enrollment Form - Undergraduate.  Mail your completed form to Penn State Behrend Admissions Office, Attn: Melissa Grimm, 4851 College Drive, Erie, PA 16563.  You may also email a scanned copy to mgrimm@psu.edu.
• Apply to using the CEDS/WISE online application. Find the application link here in mid-January. 
• Only completed applications will be considered for admission.