Business Student Transition Access & Retention Program (B-STAR)
RBS IDEA Office
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RBS Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access
Newark and New Brunswick
Email: IDEA@business.rutgers.edu
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Transforming Business Students into Business Leaders
The Rutgers Business School – B-STAR Program is offered by the RBS Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access. The B-STAR program is a signature program included in the RBS – PLUS (Pathways Leading to Undergraduate and Graduate Success) portfolio.
This award-winning and credit-bearing program is designed to support high-performing and high-potential students who have accepted admission to RBS and will enroll as first-year undergraduate students in the fall. This journey begins during the summer of acceptance and continues through to graduation. Each year features unique opportunities to participate in program enrichment and service-learning activities that allow students to build community, gain professional and soft skills and valuable experiences. The RBS B-STAR Program is facilitated in two distinct phases, Phase I and Phase II. During each phase of the program, students experience a hands-on, multifaceted, curricular, and co-curricular scholars' program that enhances academic success, cultivates leadership skills, facilitates professional development, and prepares students for future careers.
Phase I
Begins with a rigorous six-week summer bridge experience. During this initial phase of the program, students are enrolled in college-level courses for full academic credit and exposed to a world-class educational and co-curricular agenda. As students transition from high school to college life, Phase I of the program also offers enrichment sessions that include; academic preparedness, career exploration, peer mentoring, team building, soft skills development, guest lectures from distinguished RBS faculty, staff, corporate partners, and visits to partner corporations and organizations.
Phase II
Begins in the fall once RBS B-STAR students are fully enrolled, first-year undergraduates. During this second phase of programming, students participate in multi-year follow-up and engagement via the RBS CEO (Connect, Engage, and Opportunity) Network and are eligible for various resources, support services, scholarships, leadership programs, etc.
96%
5-year graduation rate
100%
Job placement rate for graduating RBS B-STARs
58%
First-Generation College Students
Program Dates
Program orientation and residential move-in: Second week of July
Phase I: (July 7, 2024 - August 15, 2024)
Phase II: (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior academic years – Graduation)
Classes begin: Second week of July
Deadline to apply: June 2024 (*See the link to the application for more details.)
Application Requirements
- Acceptance to Rutgers Business School as a first-year undergraduate student and confirmed Admit Coming (AC) status.
- Completed B-STAR Program Application
- Updated Resume
- Personal Essay (minimum 500 words) that thoroughly discusses the following questions:
- What are the top three reasons why you are studying business in college?
- How will earning a college degree in business benefit me, my family, and my community?
- What are your goals and where do you see yourself in 10 years?
- Non EOF Student **
**Successful candidates must attain a satisfactory score on the English placement exam given by the English Departments on their respective campus. Additionally, participants must not be enrolled in EOF (Educational Opportunity Fund) programming unless approved in advance by program staff.