Program lets underserved students ‘try out’ college

Forty students from the Adirondacks, central New York, New York City, and Kentucky will have the opportunity to try out college, as part of the CFES College Explore program at Saint Michael’s College on July 29-31.

College For Every Student (CFES), an Essex, NY-based national nonprofit organization that helps underserved students get to and through college and ready to enter the 21st century workforce, hosts three College Explore programs throughout the summer on regional campuses. The three-day residential program provides an opportunity for CFES Scholars, who are mostly first-generation students, the opportunity to experience life on a college campus and receive guidance on getting admitted to college.

“I think that this is a great opportunity for students from all over to get a feel for what the Saint Michael’s College experience is like,” said Carlos Vega, the college’s assistant director of admission for multicultural enrollment.  “We have a good mix of students visiting.”

Vega said Saint Michael’s has had a mutual partnership with CFES “for a very long time, and it has been one that has flourished over my time at Saint Michael’s College. Their mission coincides with our mission and a lot of the work that we do here at Saint Michael’s College. I have enjoyed going to the conferences every year and attending annual meetings at CFES headquarters across the lake in Essex, New York.”

For three days, Scholars will live in college dorms, attend classes taught by college professors, participate in admissions and financial aid workshops, learn college interview and essay writing skills, and take part in leadership activities.

“To mirror the college application process, students must first be accepted into the program by completing an online application and submitting personal statements and references,” said CFES College Ambassador Andrea McDonald.  “We are thrilled to get our Scholars on the Saint Michael’s campus. This is the first time that they are hosting a college explore program and we know that are students are going to love it!”

WHO: Rising High School juniors and seniors from across New York State and Kentucky
WHAT: College Explore Program
WHERE: Saint Michael’s College
WHEN: Thursday, July 30
CFES contact: Aubrey Bresett, Aubrey@collegefes.org

Agenda:

8:50-10:20 a.m.   Saint Michael’s College Class Samplings

                                                EPSCoR Water Quality Analysis (8  scholars), Cheray Room TBD

                                                EPSCor Insect Laboratory (8 scholars), Cheray Room TBD

                                                3^rd Option TBD, Saint Edmund’s Hall 207 and 315

 10:30-11:50 a.m.   Mentor Group Session III, Saint Edmund’s Hall 207 and 315

College Application and Essay

Admission Decisions/Selectivity

Communication with Colleges: school visits, interviews

12:00-1:00 p.m.      Lunch    Dining Hall

1:00-2:15 p.m.         Gender and Higher Education, Dion-Roy Room

A discussion of pertinent issues about gender in higher education

Dave Landers, Instructor of Psychology and Gender Studies

2:30-3:30 p.m.           Admission & Financial Aid Overview, Dion-Roy Room

                                       Carlos Vega, Assistant Director of Admission

Matt Desorgher, Associate Director of Student Financial Services

 3:30-4:15 p.m.            Campus Tour led by Saint Michael’s students

4:30-5:30 p.m.           Mentor Group Session IV, Saint Edmund’s Hall 207 and 315

Financial aid, opportunity programs and other pathways to college

Student Interest Worksheet ?

5:30-6:30 p.m.            BBQ/Group Photos, Dining Hall Patio

Currently, CFES works with 200 schools in 24 states and Ireland to help its 20,000 students move toward college success.  Over the last six years, 95 percent of CFES grade 12 students have gone on to college.  (www.collegefes.org)