FAQs

In southeast Michigan, scholars in 6th or 9th grade who have at least a 3.0 academic gpa (3.2 for 9th grade) and reside within the boundaries of Detroit Public Schools district, Southfield Public Schools district, or Ypsilanti Community Schools district are eligible to apply. The school a scholar attends does not affect eligibility, only the residential school district.

Additionally, scholars in 9th grade who attend our two partner schools in Grand Rapids (Innovation Central or Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy) and our new partner school in Saginaw (Saginaw United Public School) are eligible to apply.

Scholars begin the program in 7th or 10th grade and continue through 12th grade provided they maintain strong academic performance and consistent attendance.

Wolverine Pathways is a hybrid program and a year-round commitment.

Academic Year Commitment
During the academic year (fall and winter) scholars meet 7-10 times per term. Academic year programming occurs on Saturdays (with the exception of SAT prep options in the 11th grade) and mostly meets virtually (90-180 minutes depending on grade and programming). These fall and winter virtual sessions are supplemented by all-day in person Saturday programming usually on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus.

Summer Commitment
Each summer, during the month of July, scholars participate in our mandatory residential, commuter, and hybrid educational opportunities that typically range between 2 and 4 weeks in length. The intensity of the summer commitment increases over time, with rising seniors expected to spend 4 – 5 weeks engaged in faculty-led courses or WP sponsored internships (for those who qualify).

Availability for Coaching and Advising
Scholars are also expected to schedule and attend virtual coaching and advising sessions throughout the year.

Family Participation
Parents, guardians, or other adults responsible for the welfare of the scholar are expected to attend 1-2 meetings (mostly online) each year to partner with WP in ensuring the engagement and college preparation of the scholar.

Email Access & Responsiveness
Wolverine Pathways frequently communicates with families through email during the week, with timely replies expected.

We will teach you what you need to know to be:

• Successful in middle and high school
• Competitive in college admissions
• Prepared for rigors in the college classroom
• A top candidate for career internships

Fall and winter courses are pre-determined by the program, but there are also elective opportunities during the academic year that scholars can opt into. In the summers, 10th-12th graders have flexibility in choosing from a range of WP summer courses, camps, and internship options to meet their participation requirements.

We expose students to a variety of majors and disciplines through our courses, camps, and internships. Students have pursued opportunities in African American Studies, Astronomy, Business, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Health, Psychology, Film, TV and Media, Music, and Nursing, just to name a few.

We will try! Not only do we provide courses, camps, and internships, but we host informational interviews and career exposure with a range of faculty and professionals throughout the year in order to broaden scholars’ college and career vision.

We want all our scholars to go to college. At the same time, we make every effort to have all our scholars apply to U-M Ann Arbor and U-M Dearborn by the Early Action deadline since all WP scholars who are admitted to either campus receive a four-year tuition scholarship. Ultimately,, the advice and experiences gained from Wolverine Pathways are designed to help our scholars maximize their college options and matriculate to a college that is the best fit for them.