Round One of the matching process for the Radcliffe Mentor Program will begin on Tuesday, September 1st, 2009. The deadline for round one applications for the Radcliffe Mentor Program is Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 at midnight.

Thank you for your interest in the Radcliffe Mentor Program! Please contact the HCWC with any questions at hcwc@fas.harvard.edu.


The Harvard College Women's Center is home to two unique and popular mentor programs, and we encourage all students to participate in them! The first is the Radcliffe Mentor Program, which matches undergraduates with women alums of Harvard and Radcliffe from a wide variety of career fields and professional and personal backgrounds for year-long mentoring. This program was established in 1982, and each year, more than 200 mentors from all walks of life are available for students who wish to apply to be matched with them. Click here for more information.

Sue Miller and Nan Lou
Sue Miller ED'62 and her mentee Nan Lou '05.

The Science Mentors Program is designed to enable more young women to remain in the pipeline for careers in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Undergraduates in this program are matched with women pursuing a doctorate in one of these files at Harvard for regular contact, networking, the opportunity visit their labs and learn more about their paths, and for support in navigating the complexities of these fields. For more information about this program, click here.

More about the Radcliffe Mentor Program

The Radcliffe mentor program, going strong since 1985, matches interested undergraduates with local alumnae of Radcliffe and Harvard for career development, personal growth, and support.

For Students

As a student, you may have questions and uncertainties about what lies ahead for you in the career path that you have chosen. Perhaps you are still in the process of making important choices about what you wish to study as an undergraduate or future graduate student. What impact do these choices have after you graduate?

Insight and advice from alumnae can be an invaluable source of information and inspiration! Mentors are committed to passing along the practical wisdom they've gained from real-world experience. They can act as sources of support, or someone who can give knowledgeable feedback on your ideas. The Radcliffe Mentor Program can connect you with alumnae mentors in a wide variety of fields.

For Mentors

The Mentor Program gives alumnae a valuable opportunity to share their thoughts about what has motivated their career decisions. Mentors of all ages can be incredible resources to undergraduates with questions about anything from choosing a concentration, to landing their first job, to balancing work and family life. The mentor application form asks for a brief profile of career and outside interests.

How the Process Works

Applications are submitted by both students and alumnae. Mentor profiles (which exclude names) are posted on the Web site. Students choose from the mentors' profiles which alumnae they feel can offer the type of guidance they seek. The Mentor Program Advisory Committee members and administrators match students and mentors according to students' choices and compatibility of available alumnae with the needs of the student applicants.

Each pair are welcome to communicate and get together as often as they like, and are free to create the mentoring relationship that works best for them—some pairs meet as frequently as twice a month, others communicate primarily over e-mail.

The program kicks off with a brunch, and several events are held throughout the year featuring speakers and workshops of interest to mentors and student mentees, alike.

Members of the advisory committee and Harvard College Women's Center staff are available to answer questions or offer guidance to students and mentors.

The Mentor Program has been connecting students and alumnae since 1985, and we look forward to continuing this mission!

Get Involved

To become a mentor, please click here or on the "Mentor Application for Alumnae" link on the left navigation menu.

To apply to be matched with a mentor (current Harvard undergraduates only), you may apply beginning September 1st, 2009 by clicking on the "Mentee Application for Students" link.

For additional information please contact:

"My mentor's point of view was one that I couldn't find anywhere else." -Student, Class of '05

 

"I love my mentee's enthusiasm and having a peek into the life of a current Harvard undergraduate." -Mentor, Class of '96