One place Matias encourages counselors to recruit is the public schools. Another place admissions is looking is in churches both within and also outside the Christian Reformed denomination. The Pathways to Possibilities and S.T.E.P. programs offer trips and overnight stays at Calvin that simulate the college experience, as well as educating young people about the admissions process and financial aid. Entrada enables minority students to earn college credit and prepare for the college experiences while attending summer classes at Calvin. This is valuable help for students who are often the first in their families to attend college.
Admissions also relies on building relationships to recruit international students.
Zwart and Matias both point to a rise in available financial aid as another important factor in Calvin s multicultural growth. In 1993, Calvin began offering Mosaic scholarships to about 20 first-year students every year. Calvin continues to look out for its multicultural students once they ve enrolled, and an excellent retention rate demonstrates that the effort is worthwhile. We are seeing growth in numbers, but also in involvement. It has been absolutely exciting.