Program Spotlight: College Visits Go Virtual

Though the college process looks a little different this year, our College Guidance team quickly adapted support for Prep for Prep and PREP 9 upperclassmen as they make one of the most important decisions of their high school career.
The college process can be intimidating for juniors and seniors, especially when a student is the first in their family to attend college. This year provides a new set of challenges with the onset of a global pandemic. Prep for Prep’s College Guidance team is quick to help our high school students navigate obstacles both old and new. 

Usually, springtime means Spring Break College Visits for our juniors organized by College Guidance Director Shari Fallis and Assistant Director Karen Alonzo (XXIII), where students gain exposure to liberal arts colleges and research universities, and have the opportunity to meet with undergraduates and administrators. This year, they needed to explore alternatives, balancing student safety with rapid announcements of campus closures. This led to a collaboration with Prep’s Undergraduate Affairs Director Jacquelyn Lekhraj, and UA Officers Amanda Vidal and Leslie Francois (P9 XXI), to connect the two groups of students through virtual college panels. “We wanted to ensure that our juniors would have meaningful opportunities to learn about colleges,” Shari explains. “When our juniors can ask tough questions of members of their own Prep Community, they know they are getting honest answers to help guide them as they forge ahead in their college process.” 

Students learned about an institution’s research opportunities, administrative support, dorm life, and even dining hall food, all without leaving their homes. The colleges represented include Columbia, Oberlin, Occidental, Reed, Stanford, and Yale with more to follow. Panelists ranged from first years to seniors, but each remembered what it was like when they started their search. “The best thing to remember during this process,” says Bianca Howell (XXXIII), “is that you’re in a really good place and in really good hands.” Grace Ambrossi (XXXII) adds, “You’re all smart students and you’re all worthy of an incredible education. You deserve to be in these places and spaces.” 

In addition to over 100 undergraduates who have volunteered to speak with high school students, admissions staff from several colleges and universities will offer virtual information sessions specifically for Prep families. We are thrilled to see our students, college partners, and staff continue to innovate and adapt programs to support families through the college process. 
 
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