S-PREP Student Handbook (2022)

STATE PRE-COLLEGE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

STUDENT

HANDBOOK

Columbia University, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs

Table of Content

Welcome Letter…...………………………………………… Page 1

Campus Information……………………………………...... Pages 2 - 10

CUIMC Map
VEC Bulletin
Classroom Rules
Course Changes
LOR Guidelines
Food Options in the Area
Social Media & Student Spotlight
Scholarship Guide

Staff Directory….………………………………………….... Back Cover

STATE PRE-COLLEGE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (S-PREP)

Dear Student,
Congratulations on your decision to participate in the State Pre-College Enrichment Program. You were selected out
of a highly competitive pool of applicants and we are certain this year will be a rewarding experience for everyone
involved. S-PREP is a rigorous academic program, so we must emphasize that we expect students to give their best
effort. To ensure this, we have designed a learning contract for you and your parent/guardian that outlines the
programs participant and parent/guardian expectations and responsibilities.

• Students are to give their best effort.
• Students are expected to arrive to class appropriately groomed and dressed.
• Students can only enter the premises through the Roy & Diana Vagelos Education Center or the Hammer

Health Science Center.
• Students may not switch classes after they have begun.
• All students are expected to arrive promptly to class and workshops.

o Students are allowed only ONE unexcused absence per semester. Absence letters/ documentation
explaining the absence must be submitted on the day the student returns to the program or before
the day of the intended absence.

o Three (3) tardies will equal one (1) absence.
o All workshops are mandatory, unless you are absent on that day.
• Students should conduct themselves in a manner that is appropriate for the classroom and the medical
center. They are expected to cooperate fully with all program administrators and staff members. If students
become disruptive, it will result in the following:
o First warning: Preceptor/TA notifies administrator(s)
o Second warning: Administrator contacts parent/guardian and student is on probation.
o Final warning: Formal meeting with parent/guardian and student
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND WILL RESULT IN DISMISSAL
FROM THE PROGRAM.
• Students are not allowed to bring friends or relatives to class.
• Students are allowed to eat or drink in classrooms but not in the auditoriums, these privileges will remain as
long as students clean up after and it does not affect class.
• Students must always carry identification and cooperate with all security and campus personnel.
• Students must obtain permission from parents or guardians to participate in any field trips.
• Students are expected to leave the premises after scheduled classes—NO LOITERING!!! Students must
obtain permission from the Program Assistant/Coordinator to use University property, etc.
• Students must attend an individually scheduled academic/college advisement session with a Program Assistant
or Program Coordinator at least once during the year.
• Students must submit report cards at the end of each academic term/marking period.
• JUNIORS & SENIORS are required to submit all ACT/SAT/SAT II scores that they receive.
Each student must comply with each stipulation of the learning contract or he/she will be dismissed from the State
Pre-College Enrichment Program WITHOUT WARNING.
Please read over the learning contract with your parent/guardian (found in your folder). When you are done, sign
and return the page. Again, congratulations on your decision to participate in S-PREP and we look forward to a
productive year.
Sincerely,

S-PREP Program Administrators

Gender-InclusiveRestroom

33.21AudubonAve.
35.

STATE PRE-COLLEGE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (S-PREP)

Bulletin on the Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center

Dear Students:
This year we are in a new education building, the Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center (the
VEC). Below is some important information.

The VEC is open every day from 7 am to 11pm. The Office of
Diversity and Multicultural Affairs is on the 10th floor, Suite
1003. We ask students to be mindful and care for the new
building, given that many worked tirelessly to bring this building
into fruition.
“All users of the building can care for the VEC by being
conscientious about how we use the space and holding each
other to the same high standards. In practice this means doing
some very simple things – and reminding others that they
should be doing them too:

 Disposing of your own trash (including food) before
you leave a space.
 Cleaning up spills and/or reporting them to the Program Administrators in a timely manner.
 Reporting damage to the building and its contents (e.g., stained or damaged chairs, carpets,
walls etc.) to the program Administrators in a timely manner.
 Reaching out for support if AV technology is not functioning properly, rather than
attempting to solve issues on your own, by contacting the Program Administrators.
 Respecting the rules that govern the use of the VEC, including those related to hours of
access, use of quiet and group study space.” (i.e. no running in the halls and being quiet
when in shared spaces such as the hallway and lobby).

We thank you for your continued participation in the program and look forward to having a fun and
enriching year.

Sincerely,
S-PREP Program Administrators

STATE PRE-COLLEGE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (S-PREP)

Classroom Rules

1. Students must wear masks at all times.
2. Disruptive behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
3. Our voices carry, please be mindful that there may be a class next to yours so please

keep your voices down.
4. Cell phones should not be used during class or workshop time. Your Preceptor/TA

and S-PREP administrator will confiscate your cell phone and hold it until the end of
the period.
5. Please dispose of your own trash (including food) before you leave the space.
6. Please leave classrooms just as you found them; other students will be using the
room’s right after you.
7. If any issues with AV technology occur please contact the Program Administrators.
Students should not be using AV equipment without an Instructor or Program
Administrator present.
8. Respect the VEC building rules in regards to hours of access, use of quiet and group
study spaces. We are not the only people in the building (i.e. students studying
and/or events occurring).

Thank you! 

STATE PRE-COLLEGE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (S-PREP)

Course Change

If you would like to change the course you are currently enrolled in or drop a course
due to another activities, please follow the outlined steps below.

Changing Classes:
1. Email S-PREP Program Administrators at [email protected]
2. Make sure to include the following in your email:
a. Current S-PREP Course
b. Course you want to switch into
c. Reason for switching course
3. A Program Administrator will contact you in regards to the requested switch.
DO NOT switch classes until you received an emailed confirmation of your
switch.

Dropping a Course:
1. Email S-PREP Program Administrators at [email protected]
2. Make sure to include the following in your email:
a. Current S-PREP Course
b. Reason for dropping course

Please note students must be enrolled in at least 1 course to be considered
a part of the State Pre-College Enrichment Program.

STATE PRE-COLLEGE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (S-PREP)

Letter of Recommendation Request Guidelines

You may be thinking about applying to other enrichment and research opportunities, undergraduate
institutions or postgraduate institutions. Below is the process for requesting a letter of
recommendation from your S-PREP experience.

1. Please send your request to [email protected]
2. Include:

a) Your Name and S-PREP Cohort Year
b) A list of the programs or schools (including full contact information (i.e. mailing address, e-mail)

that you want the letter sent to. Please include instructions on how to send the letter as
well as the deadline.
c) An updated resume and a copy of your most recent transcript to the e-mail.
d) Why you are interested in this school/program.
e) Description and link to the school/program’s website.
Letters of recommendation should be requested at least three weeks in advance. Furthermore,
please keep in mind that recommendations are based upon your performance while in our program.
In the event that we cannot provide you with a letter of recommendation in good faith, we can
provide all program participants with letters of participation.

State Pre-College Enrichment Program Food Options

So you have an hour to eat and don’t know exactly where to go. Here is a list
of a few places that are close and some that deliver!! Bon Appétit!

Food Type Restaurants Address

Variety Hilltop Perk 83 Haven Ave
Sandwiches Subway 651 W 169th St + Ft. Washington

Chinese La Dinastia 4059 Broadway + 171st
Fast Food McDonald's 4040 Broadway + 170th
Fast Food Chick-fil-a
Fast Food Wing Stop 601 West 181st
Bubble Tea & Bowls KungFu Tea 4051 Broadway
Fast Food 4053 Broadway
Spanish Popeye’s 601 W 172nd St + St. Nicholas
Malecon Restaurant 4141 Broadway
Pizza Famous Familiga Pizza 4020 Broadway + 169th St
Thai 561 W 169th St + Broadway
Sandwiches + Salad Tung Thong Thai 603 W 168th St
Mexican Jou Jou Café 4009 Broadway + 168th St
Bagels + Sandwiches 4003 Broadway + 168th St
Variety Chipotle Mexican Grill 603 W. 168th Street
BBQ Mike's Bagels 3956 Broadway + 166th St
Fast Food University Deli 3939 Broadway + 165th St
Dallas BBQ
Coffee Wendy's 4001 Broadway

Starbucks

Have you/another S-PREP student done something amazing this year?

Leader in school/community? Got an A on an exam? Served on a panel? Got a
scholarship? Helped a peer by mentoring/tutoring? Honor Roll/Lab Award?

Let us know and you/they'll be featured in S-PREP’s Student Spotlight!

You can send in a nomination via the form below. Anyone can nominate
(parent, student, friend, sibling, yourself etc)

Note: Student being nominated must be an S-PREP student/alumni.

http://bit.ly/sprepspotlight

STATE PRE-COLLEGE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (S-PREP)

Scholarship Guide

Hello S-PREP Student & Parent:

In helping to prepare your scholar for college we have compiled a guide on how to search for
scholarships. “Scholarships in essence are free money! They may ask for different things
ranging from letters of recommendations, transcript of your grades, to multiple essays. Some
scholarships not all may require an interview. However all scholarships are unique and may or
may not follow these particular aspects. Some may be based on race, ethnicity, , being tall, etc.
There are scholarships out there for everything.”

Tips:

1. Start researching early. The fall and winter are the two seasons when the highest amount of
scholarships are available.

2. Organize. Compile all the scholarships that you qualify for and begin breaking each scholarships
down by what materials they need. Does the scholarship require a high school transcript? letters
of recommendations? Are there multiple essays? Get this sorted out so you know where to
designate your time to.

3. Set Deadlines. Make a chart or a calendar outlining all of the due dates for the scholarships so
you can be kept accountable. Also make deadlines to prioritize which scholarship deadline is
approaching, to start beginning your application.

4. Create a Resume. Creating a resume that outlines your high school career is very helpful as it
helps make the scholarship process much easier. Doing this, allows you when doing scholarships
that ask about your extra-circular activities, it’s simply a matter of copying and pasting the
information or sometimes scholarships may ask for resume, where in that case you can just
attach a copy. Also when asking for recommendations, a resume is valuable as it helps teachers
write not only about the things you did within the classroom but also tie things you have done
outside the classroom. Therefore, include sports/clubs you participated in, summer programs,
volunteering, employment, internships, honors, awards, publications, etc.

Below are a couple of websites with various scholarships:

Fastweb.com Collegeexpress.com Hsf.net
CollegeProwler.com Nextstepu.com Finaid.org
Connections101.com
Niche.com Collegeweeklive.com FAFSA.ED.GOV
Collegegreenlight.com Scholarships.com Collegenet.com
Collegenet.com Petersons.com
Cappex.com Collegeboard.com Free-4u.com
Zinch.com Uncf.org
Scholarshipexperts.com

* Information above was provided by the Blog “Path2College” by Daniella Dennis (2016 SMDEP Alumni)
Link to Blog: https://path2college.wordpress.com/

* The below link to a list of scholarships was provided by: Portland State University:
https://www.pdx.edu/ubets/sites/www.pdx.edu.ubets/files/Scholarships%20for%20Students.pdf

STATE PRE-COLLEGE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (S-PREP)
Staff Directory

Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs
Columbia University

Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons
Vagelos Education Center
104 Haven Ave, Suite 1003
New York, NY 10032
(p) 212-305-4157
(f) 212-305-1049

[email protected]
Hilda Hutcherson, MD, MS

Principal Investigator
[email protected]

Samantha McLaughlin, MA
Director

[email protected]

Katherine Rojas, BS
Program Coordinator

[email protected]

Chayra Marrero, BS
Program Assistant

[email protected]