Youth Action has commenced one it’s most impactful programs to date. During the month of April, seventeen high school juniors of color participated in Youth Action’s two-day College Readiness and Success program.  The goal of the program is to aid Philadelphia high school juniors color with the college admissions process.

This unique student-led college access program is facilitated by Philadelphia college students of color who are instructing and mentoring seventeen high school juniors of color on the college application process and seeking to prepare them for a successful transition into college. Students from Bryn Mawr College, Drexel University, Philadelphia University, Temple University, West Chester University, and The University of Pennsylvania offered students strong advice on the common application process, strategies on how to write a strong admissions essay, mastering the college interview, effective college study skills, and tips on how to explore matters of race, gender, and sexism on college campuses.

Following the two-day program, each student has now been paired with a college mentor who will help guide them through the application process. This program follows February’s successful Achievement List Next Generation event, which was a festive and interactive College Day intended to connect college students of color with high school students of color for mentorship on the college application process.

Ultimately, YA’s college readiness and success program now provides a smaller group of high school students with an opportunity to form even more intimate relationships with their college student mentors.

During the very well-prepared sessions led by the college students, Juniors were able receive answers to their questions. Questions that were asked by several students in the program include: “How do I dress during an interview and what classes should I register for in  college?” “I’m not too great on grades, but what are some ways that I can shine on my applications; what should I write for my college essays?”

What made YA’s college readiness program special is that current college students relatively close to their age were able to provide information and field questions from these high school juniors about college. Most importantly, they were advised by individuals other than college admissions counselors and their parents. These college students will serve as a much needed additional resource for them to get into and succeed in college.

YA is excited to note that each of our high school junior participants wrote positive reviews about their experiences with this program and are looking forward to building strong relationships with their college student mentors as they prepare to enter their senior year in high school. This program reveals how important it is to engage college of students of color to do service, because in the end they can have tremendous impact on the lives of others.

 

Published: May 12th, 2012