This summer Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc. will launch its first Summer College Application Bootcamp for rising seniors in the State of Connecticut.  The program is hosted on the campus of Albertus Magnus College in partnership with New Haven Promise and the Youth Services Department of the City of New Haven. The objective of the HHYEP College Application Bootcamp® is to assist rising seniors with the college application process. 

During the program students will Develop a Clear Action Plan and organizational system, complete their Common App Application and Black Common App Application, begin their FAFSA and learn how to prepare for the SAT Test.  

We will help students develop a strong personal statement that tells a compelling yet unique story, create an activity resume that showcases individual talents and commitments, and discuss the benefits of the different application deadlines. Students participating in the program will have a significant advantage in the admission's process by completing their applications early.
 
Benefits of the Program:

• Students participating in the program will have a significant advantage in the admission's process by completing their applications prior to their senior year.
• This helps makes college a REALITY! and also gives them TRUE resources and ensures that they are meeting realistic timelines and goals.
• The program ensures that students are actually submitting their college applications on time, thus increasing the percentage of students applying to college and having a positive impact on the percentage of students enrolling into a postsecondary institution.
• Students will have an increased opportunity of successfully completing high school, enrolling into college, and college completion.
• The program’s follow-through engages students to ensure that students are meeting their academic benchmarks, enrolling into college, graduating from college and returning back to their communities as a viable citizen.

Higher Heights has partnered with New Haven Promise to host some of the brightest and highly motivated Promise Scholars to serve as our Summer College Access Advisors.  Read more about their stories below.

​Meet Leslie Nicholson
​Leslie is the youngest of five.  She currently attends the University of Connecticut majoring in Sociology.  Her future goals is to obtain a Masters of Social Work and become a College Access Counselor for a charter school.

Why have you joined the HHYEP Team?
"I am working for HHYEP because I feel as though children are presented with this mindset that they can only go so far in life and attain only so much depending on their circumstances."

What similar beliefs do you have about students having equal access and opportunity to college?
"Everyone who wants a college education and is willing to put in the hard work and dedication deserves a chance. College is presented as an option to many kids whose families can afford it but those who cannot don’t see it as a viable option."

What are you goals for your summer mentees?
"I want all of my students to have a strong knowledge of financial aid and what is available to you.  It is important to understand and learn how to interpret your financial aid package.  Most importantly, I want all of my students to feel 100% confident and prepared to take on their senior year!"

Meet Mercedes Bryant
Mercedes currently attends the University of Connecticut with a major in Human Development and Family Studies. She is also one of the Community Outreach Directors for the National Council of Negro Women. 

Why have you joined the HHYEP Team?
"I am working for HHYEP because the program is going to help strengthen my social skills, leadership abilities, and it is going to prepare me for my future occupation in Family Therapy".


​What similar beliefs do you have about students having equal access and opportunity to college?
"I believe everyone should have an opportunity to enhance their life. I also believe that it is important to have a back up plan if the initial plan doesn’t work."

What are you goals for your summer mentees?
"I want all of my students to learn how to choose their best college fit, understand the financial aid process and to learn more about the Common App".

Meet Shariel Rodriguez
Born in Puerto Rico and a New Haven Resident, Shariel is a junior at the University of Connecticut studying Spanish and Sociology.  He is a member of the Brothers of Latino America Unida, Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, Inc. His future goal is to become an academic counselor for college students.

Why have you joined the HHYEP Team?
"I am working for HHYEP because it connects closely to my future career goals. I want to be able to help students of all backgrounds to get to and through college."

What similar beliefs do you have about students having equal access and opportunity to college?
"I am a strong believer that there is a college for all students who are willing to put in time and dedication. I believe a post-secondary education should be an equal opportunity for everyone no matter how they identify."

What are you goals for your summer mentees?
"I want all of my students to be prepared for senior year so they can be less stressed and make the most of their year."

The summer before Senior year has finally arrived and it’s time to get serious about college applications. Hopefully you have spent your junior year beginning the process of searching for colleges. This may involve sitting down with your high school guidance counselor, talking to parents and teachers, taking the PSAT and most importantly, maintaining your grades.

Senior year is no time to slack off. It is critical that you keep your grades up. You want to have a well-rounded set of extracurricular experience, but make sure your schedule is balanced. Grades are still the most important factor in college admissions.

​Below is a list of things you can do this Summer to be prepared to enter your Senior Year.

SUMMER BEFORE SENIOR YEAR

Start your list – This summer is a great time to work on your list of colleges. By the end of the summer, you should have narrowed your list of 20-25 schools down to 10 or 12, including reach, match and safety schools.

Common Application – Many colleges and universities use the Common Application, which can be found online. You can register a Common Application account and get familiar with it during the summer. Know what is required, sketch out an application timeline and begin thinking about your essay, a critical component of any application. Visit www.commonapp.org. 

College Essay- Begin to draft your college essays.  Looking at the CommonApp Essay Prompts is a good way to get started and organize your thoughts.  Click here to view the 2017-2018 CommonApp Essay Prompts.

ACT – You can usually begin taking the ACT in September. Go online to confirm testing dates and register now. This will give you time to take the test again if you’re not happy with your first score.

Campus visits – Before you’re loaded up with homework and extracurricular activities, us the idle months of summer to visit some of the campuses on your list. Almost any college will be conducting tours throughout the summer. 

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