Interested in becoming a Minds Matter student?
STUDENT APPLICATION
Minds Matter Twin Cities is recruiting current high school freshmen (Class of 2028) to join our program in fall 2025!
How To Apply
Please complete the Student Application and have the appropriate adults fill out the Parent/Guardian Application and Academic Reference Nomination Form. All three forms must be completed by June 1.
After you submit your Student Application, email requests will be sent directly to your parent/guardian and guidance/school counselor to complete their forms (i.e., Parent/Guardian Application and Academic Reference Nomination Form). Please notify the individuals you listed in your application to be on the lookout for emails directly from us requesting additional information.
Requirements
- Be a sophomore student in the 2025-26 school year
- Maintain a strong overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher
- Be committed to pursuing a four-year college education
- Available on Saturdays during school year
- Available to participate in Summer Programs
- Demonstrate strong academic potential, motivation, maturity, and responsibility
interested in getting involved as a volunteer for the 2025-26 academic year?
MENTOR APPLICATION
Mentor applications for the 2025-26 school year are open. Programming for 2025-26 will begin in early October 2025. Mentor applications for the 2025-26 school year will close on December 1, 2025.
Mentors guide, challenge, and celebrate their student through their three years in the program. As a mentor, you’ll act as a caring adult in your mentee’s life, providing emotional and consistent support while sharing insight from your own journey to college and beyond. You will directly impact your mentee’s chance at a college education. To learn more about what it's like being a mentor with Minds Matter, please see the "Mentor" section in the "FAQs" page.
How To Apply
- Submit the volunteer application
- Participate in a 30-minute virtual interview
- Receive decision within two weeks of interview
- Begin mentoring contingent on a successful background check and completing a youth protection course
Requirements
- Are college graduates of four-year colleges or universities
- Pass a criminal background check and undergo child protection training
- Able to commit to program for all three years with 80% attendance across each year during October-May (we do not meet during school breaks)
- Work in quartets to ensure their student’s assignments are completed on time
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPLICATION
Besides our mentor volunteer positions, Minds Matter Twin Cities also has volunteer roles on our executive committee. The executive team works together to build a strong organization infrastructure, which includes developing relationships with Twin Cities high school counselors and students, recruiting positive and skilled volunteers, fundraising, and creating curriculum.
- Program Director (sophomore/junior/senior): Designs, organizes, and facilitates the mentoring sessions on Saturdays, collaborates with other program leaders (e.g., Test Prep, Math Matters, and Writing & Critical Thinking instructors) to design the morning sessions and provides support to the mentors and mentees.
- Class Leader: Works with program directors to build strong mentor/mentee relationships, track students’ needs through each academic year, and support mentor/mentee relationships.
- Director of Summer Program: Works directly with Minds Matter National to determine programs students can apply to, supports mentors and mentees through the summer program process, and manages students’ program placement.
- Test Prep Instructor: Guides junior students through a structured weekly curriculum that helps increase students’ ACT scores
- Math Matters Instructor: Designs, organizes, and implements the Math Matters program for the sophomore students
- Writing & Critical Thinking Instructor: Shapes and implements a curriculum designed to improve students’ writing and critical thinking skills and produce highly competitive essays for Summer Programs and college applications
- College Advisor: Provides guidance on the college application process (e.g., college research, financial aid, scholarships) to the junior and senior students
- Director of Student Recruitment: Develops relationships with high school counselors and recruits students
- Director of Alumni Relations: Maintains relationships with Minds Matter alumni and supports alumni during college and with the career search
- Director of Social Media & Marketing: Creates social media and marketing initiatives, manages all social media platforms, and schedules regular social media posts
- Assistant Director of Development: Supports fundraising strategies, organizes events (e.g., annual gala), and searches for and writes grants
- Website Administrator: Manages the Minds Matter website
*May be subject to change and availability.
How To Apply
- Submit the volunteer application
- Participate in a 30-minute virtual interview
- Receive decision within two weeks of interview
- Begin work contingent on a successful background check and completing a youth protection course
Requirements
- Are college graduates of four-year colleges or universities
- Pass a criminal background check and undergo child protection training
- Perform duties of executive council role, attend monthly executive council role, and actively communicate progress towards goals and project
Questions? Contact Us At: twincities@mindsmatter.org