Milestone Scholars Program

Welcome to the Milestone Scholars Program

The Milestone Scholars Program offers students who show signs of great potential an opportunity to benefit from an individualized educational experience during their first year at Rider. MSP is a unique academic program offered through the Academic Success Center that provides motivated students with the assistance and guidance needed to achieve milestones. What are milestones? They are the goals you set and achieve: earning your first A in college; choosing a major; becoming an engaged student leader; obtaining an internship; and of course, graduating in four years!

Bridge to Success

The first year of college can be challenging. However, as a Milestone Scholar you will be prepared to overcome those challenges through Bridge Week to Success, a program offering students academic exposure, social immersion, and personalized success coaching. Bridge to Success affords Scholars the opportunity to experience college life and create a network of support by developing relationships with staff and peers. If you were accepted to Rider through the Milestone Scholars Program, your attendance at Bridge Week to Success is a requirement of your enrollment.

During Bridge Week to Success, Scholars will:

• create a Rider support network
  • form relationships with Rider students and the Milestone Scholars Program staff;
  • become familiar with academic support resources and how to use them
  • gain an understanding of the requirements of their Financial Aid package
• prepare for the expectations of collegiate-level work
  • identify required textbooks and how to order them
  • familiarize yourself with your academic schedule and campus protocols
  • draft and submit a reflection in response to workshop topics
• explore the campus and engage with the Rider community
  • meet with success coaches and peer mentors
  • locate your specific classrooms
  • discover options for involvement in clubs and campus activities
  • participate in social activities each evening

Whether you plan to live on campus or commute in the fall, you will live on campus for the duration of Bridge Week to Success. 

As the week concludes, you will have accomplished your first milestone, and you will feel well prepared to begin the fall semester!

The Academic Year

During the academic year, Scholars will:

• enroll in a Freshman Seminar specifically designed for students in the Milestone Scholars Program
• regularly utilize the following academic supports:
  • Tutoring Sessions
  • Writing Consultation
  • Supplemental Instruction
  • Study Strategies Appointments
  • Success Coaching Partnerships
• create holistic academic and co-curricular 4-year plan that serves as a guide toward graduation
• meet regularly with Success Coaches to monitor academic progress
• continue the help-seeking behaviors introduced during the Bridge to Success week
• maintain relationships with faculty, staff, and peer mentors

What our Milestone Scholars can expect from us:

• Outreach from peer mentors/success coach
• Individualized coaching
• To be encouraged, challenged, and supported in achieving their goals

What we expect from our Milestone Scholars:

• Check and respond to your emails regularly during the summer and throughout the academic year
• Attend Bridge Week to Success (8/31-9/6)
• Utilize academic support throughout first year at Rider
• Attend and actively participate in MSP Freshman Seminar during the fall semester
• Meet regularly with your MSP Success Coach and Peer Mentors

For more information, please contact: