WELCOME

STEP provides students with academic enrichment and research experience to prepare them for successful entry into college and to encourage them to consider opportunities to become licensed professionals in the health, technical, or scientific areas.  Students have the opportunity to focus on problem solving and critical thinking skills through a range of enrichment activities.  

These activities can include:

• Core subject instruction/Regents exam preparation
   
• Supervised training in research methods
   
• Internships
   
• High school and college admissions counseling
   
• Standardized test preparation
   
• Career awareness/development activities

MISSION

The long range goal of the STEP program is to increase the career opportunities for minority and/or economically disadvantaged students in medicine and health related professions.  The objectives are to:
 

• Provide academic enrichment, research exposure, and political and health awareness
   
• Assist students in acquiring skills in basic computer operations and concept
   
• Introduce students to the operation of basic instruments utilized in the medical field, i.e.,stethoscopes, microscopes, etc.
   
• Enhance students’ skills in the comprehension, understanding, and delivery of scientific and scientifically related information
   
• Develop strategies for academic retention
   
• Prepare students for successful entry into college.

ELIGIBILITY

For a student to be eligible for the STEP program, they must be:
 

• Enrolled in grades 9 through 12 at either Glen Cove or Wyandanch High Schools
   
• In good academic standing
   
• A New York State resident for a minimum of 12 months before applying to the program
   
• A member of a historically underrepresented group (as defined by the New York State Education Department) in the scientific, technical, health-related, and licensed professions.  This includes African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American Indian, and Alaskan Native; or must be economically disadvantaged as indicated in the Income Eligibility Criteria table.

Admission is selective and based primarily on a student's academic record, completed application, and an interview with the STEP Coordinator and High School Guidance Counselor.  Personal essays, report cards or transcripts, and income verification documents (for students claiming eligibility on the basis of economic factors) are all important components of the application. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
 

EXPECTATIONS

Students participating in the program are expected to:

• Regularly attend and participate in all STEP activities including workshops, tutorials and field trips
   
• Arrive at STEP sessions on time and ready to participate with applicable assignments and materials
   
• Consistently strive to improve academic preparedness and performance
   
• Demonstrate the ability to approach learning seriously
   
• Conduct themselves in a manner conductive to their own learning and to the learning of others
   
• Learn to present information both orally and written in a professional manner
   

EVALUATIONS

Throughout the program, the STEP Coordinator gathers feedback on students’ progress and provides mechanisms for feedback.  In addition, students’ attendance, laboratory work, reports, and pre-and post-tests are evaluated at the end of each program.
 

LOCATION

The NYCOM STEP Office is located in room 214, the Hannah and Charles Serota Academic Center, the Old Westbury Campus of New York Institutte of Technology.
 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Deb Heineman
STEP Project Director

Phone: 516.686.3729

dheinema@nyit.edu

Mailing Address:
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine/NYIT
Northern Boulevard
Old Westbury, New York 11568-8000

Fax: 516.686.3835