ALVA (Alliances for Learning and Vision for Underrepresented Americans)
Announcement: MSEP ALVA is a post-college freshmen internship experience. New, entering UW freshmen can connect with MSEP ALVA during their initial year at the UW by participating in UW STEM Bridge, attending MSEP ALVA presentations, enrolling in Academic Workshops or contacting MSEP.
For pre-freshmen intern experience programs, consider the UW GenOM ALVA Program.
About ALVA
Open to all students, the ALVA intern program targets students who have connected with MSEP during their first year and are pursuing studies in engineering and computer science related disciplines. ALVA is a partnership between industry and the Minority Scholars Engineering Program that seeks to significantly increase the retention-to-graduation rate in engineering and computer science related fields for students from underrepresented minority communities.
During the intern portion, ALVA students work with professionals so they can better visualize themselves as future engineers. Most recent ALVA students have worked for companies such as The Boeing Company and Jet Propulsion Laboratories. Students gain valuable professional mentors who can support them throughout their engineering schooling and career. The intern portion of ALVA begins mid to late June and concludes in September (10-12 weeks). For the current academic year, the industry partner is The Boeing Company.
In addition to the hands-on engineering experience, ALVA students will be engaged with the College of Engineering and other ALVA students to develop their academic and interpersonal skills prior to and during the internship and into the following academic year. Students who complete ALVA are better-prepared, more motivated and come out with a strong peer and professional network. All of these combine to increase their chances of completing a four-year degree in engineering or computer science.
Apply to ALVA
Applicants to the MSEP ALVA program must satisfy the following:
- Entered the UW as a matriculated student during the current academic year as a freshmen applicant
- Will complete English Composition and 18 or more credits in pre-engineering/engineering course work by the end of Spring Quarter (courses include any engineering departmental course, plus pre-engineering pre-requisites among MATH 120 or above; CHEM 110 or above; and PHYS 121 or above)
- Achieve a UW accumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher by the end of winter quarter
- Persist in engineering or computer science curriculum throughout their first-year.
Apply to MSEP ALVA beginning December 1 (UWNetID login required) or email MSEP to request an application.
Application deadline: February 15.
What 2011 MSEP ALVA participants had to say...
"The University of Washington offers many great programs to help gain engineering experience but there is none better than ALVA."
"There are not too many college freshmen who can say they worked their first summer at a prestigious company in the engineering field and earned a salary too!"
"The internship was an amazing experience and a great opportunity; I strongly encourage all interested and eligible freshmen to apply."
"ALVA is SO much more than 'work'. Meeting the Blue Angels and having ALVA weekends, I've made some of my greatest friends this summer..."
"The friends and coworkers you'll make will provide excellent support both in and out of the classroom."
"Due to the skills I acquired during my summer at The Boeing Company... I will be returning to intern this next summer."