Students are also required to take a battery of tests to determine eligibility for the final selection pool. MPO is designed for students whose standardized test scores reflect academic talent and potential. To be eligible, freshman must have a minimum ACT composite of 20 or an equivalent SAT total. The MPO staff encourages and prepares participants to enroll in challenging programs and develop the credentials necessary for them to enter post-graduate work and professions where minorities are underrepresented. Students compete for scholarships and paid mentorships.
Class sizes are limited to create a personal atmosphere.
All HPS and SSS students have access to counseling for academic, personal, and career concerns. An important dimension of students success at Illinois State University is their adjustment to the expectations of the University. The counseling component of HPS and SSS provides students with specialized academic assistance, including midterm progress reports and computing projected GPA's. The HPS and SSS programs have a designated staff member in the Academic Advisement Center to provide students with assistance in choosing a major, selecting courses, and registering for classes. Although the HPS and SSS programs are not financial aid programs, they do award grants to many students who continue to participate in the programs.