Program Spotlight: Preparing for College Beyond Academics

Prep’s Undergraduate Affairs team quickly adapted to provide relevant workshops for incoming first-year students at its annual College Transition Retreat. Over 75 students actively participated in the three-day retreat to explore topics about college life and connect with the Prep Undergraduate Affairs team. The Jed Foundation hosted a workshop on navigating emotional health and current events in a campus setting, and encouraged students to feel empowered to seek and give help. Bank of America reviewed the basics of personal finance and student loans as part of its Better Money Habits series. Finally, Day One NYC facilitated a workshop on consent and healthy relationships. 

Current college students Gentle Ramirez (P9 XXVI) and Paul Tola (P9 XXVII) also offered their perspectives. A Division III soccer player at SUNY New Paltz and President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Paul shared, “You’ll find topics you never knew you would be interested in. College is where you find your own unique voice.” Gentle, a fierce poet, NYU sophomore, and former advisor to younger Prep students, reminded the high school seniors that Prep will continue to support their goals. They said, “Prep staff was my best advocate both in professional areas and in helping me become a better self-advocate.” 

In addition to the workshops, the UA team offered fun opportunities to connect informally. UA Officer Amanda Vidal kicked off the retreat with a curated playlist to welcome the students, and continued to DJ for the closing reception. At a spirited trivia game, UA Officer Leslie Francois (P9 XXI) shared nuggets of wisdom from his own experience as a Prep student and now staff member. Jacquelyn Lekhraj, Director of Undergraduate Affairs, spoke about the benefits of future study abroad opportunities. “If you have a chance to safely get out of the city and study overseas later, do it! Don’t limit yourself to only what is familiar at home. You will grow so much and you won’t regret the experience.”

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The Undergraduate Affairs team continues to adapt its programs and services for nearly 600 Prep for Prep students enrolled at universities across the country. The team’s ongoing individual outreach will help identify areas of support in health, housing, and academic needs, especially in light of uncertainty around campus openings this fall. Upcoming programs include a virtual workshop on financial literacy for all undergrads, and an additional panel on college life for first-year students.