Services

Individual Advisement

Individual advisement from experienced advisors to help students identify and develop appropriate prospective colleges and undergraduate programs as well as to build strong student profiles/academic resumes for college and university applications.  Students will roadmap the college application process to effectively plan their next steps in the college application process.

Admissions Workshops

Admissions workshops for high school students to build their understanding of academic criteria colleges and universities require students to fulfill before entering their undergraduate years. Participants will learn what is needed to make them the most compelling candidates for Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Decision admissions.

Reading and Writing Seminars

Reading and Writing Seminars designed to emulate a college freshman level course. Each class is a roundtable discussion in which participants are encouraged to explore and debate topics related to the two novels they are required to read. During the summer, students learn to express themselves in a literary fashion. Through close reading of the texts, they come to appreciate the importance of language and literary forms. After completion of reading assignments, a comprehensive paper relating to both novels is assigned. Special emphasis is placed on the revision process; students turn in multiple drafts of their essays, receiving feedback from their teacher and classmates. By engaging in these workshops, students learn to line edit and peer critique with consideration for the structure of a written piece.

College Essay-Building

College essay-building and college application sessions where students develop, revise, and improve their personal statements and supplemental essays for college applications, creating unique, engaging, and memorable narratives that leave a powerful impression upon college admissions counselors.  Participants gain insight on what makes a compelling personal statement, and supplemental college essays as well as learn how to complete necessary applications for college such as the common application, the coalition application, SUNY, and CUNY applications.

Enrichment Classes

Enrichment classes to strengthen high school students’ English and math skills in order to build their academic foundation, ensure stronger scores on standardized examinations, and improve their performance in high school classes to bolster their admission to colleges and universities.

Summer College Intensive

Summer college intensives for rising seniors to prepare for the college application process. This focused, six-week college application-building course will help participants:

  • Research and assess various colleges and universities in order to narrow down their college/university search in order to finalize their prospective college list of reach, matching, and safety schools.

  • Create and develop drafts of their personal statements and supplementary college essays.

  • Begin working on their common and coalition, CUNY, and SUNY applications.

  • Complete student profiles/academic resumes.

  • Build their SAT/ACT vocabulary.

  • Improve their writing skills.

  • Prepare for college interviews.

  • Decipher FAFSAs, CSS Profiles, TAP, IDOC, and other financial aid applications. Becoming familiar with various forms of financial aid and appropriate methods of applying for state and federal aid for higher education in financial aid workshops.

  • Visit local colleges and universities for admissions information sessions and tours.

  • Read two novels and participate in college freshman seminar- styled sessions, developing critical analytical skills while discussing the themes of the books. Write a five-page paper and give a creative group presentation connected to these literary works.

Financial Aid Sessions

Financial aid sessions where participants and their families learn about the various forms of financial aid---scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study—as well as appropriate methods of applying for state and federal aid for higher education and post-secondary programs.  Families will also be assisted in completing their respective financial aid applications such as the FAFSA, CSS Profile, TAP, and IDOC.

College Roundtables

College round-tables for participants with competitive colleges and universities that offer an intimate look at admissions criteria, curriculum, financial aid opportunities, majors, special pre-professional programs, study abroad, research opportunities, and student life on various campuses.

Freshman Readiness Workshop

The Freshman Readiness Workshop is offered at the end of the year to help graduating seniors make the successful transition from high school to college. This two-day session focuses upon scenarios students will encounter upon entering college. With guidance from staff, participants develop strategies and viable solutions to academic, economic, and social situations that could impact their performance in college. At the close of the session, graduating participants receive Freshman Survival Kits.