Smart List: 30 Orgs Boosting College Access & Success

Getting Smart is acknowledging people and organizations making a difference with a series of back to school top 10 lists. We tried to fit them all into August, but a few of our spotlights of about 500 people and organizations are running into September. They’re not in order and are not exhaustive but are definitely the people we appreciate.

Today we’re recognizing 30 organizations building college awareness, preparation and completion.

College Awareness & Success

College Access

There are hundreds of groups boosting college access.  Who would you add?

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13 Comments

Nana Dagadu
9/5/2013

Hi there,
Thank you for allowing the opportunity to add to this list of wonderful organizations. I see that all those mentioned here are truly doing great work but I think your list is not complete without a mention of Let's Get Ready (http://www.letsgetready.org/), which is a non-profit that produces real results in getting low-income high school students to college. LGR's model of using college students as "coaches" truly provides a system of mentoring and support through SAT prep, life & study skills, financial aid advice and even college visits so that the HS students receive a complete package of college preparedness. This provides not only access but also genuine interest and desire for college and builds lasting relationships, which you don't always find in every program of this nature. I had the distinct honor of being involved in LGR as a student, a coach, and a site director (getting to plan out and run one site for a summer) and I continue to be involved with LGR in any way that I can. I highly recommend the organization and hope you will consider adding it to the list so that more low-income students get exposed to the great opportunities I had when I was a high school sophomore and junior.
Thanks,
Nana

Johnathan L. Nieves
9/5/2013

Please consider adding Let's Get Ready! Let's Get Ready is a non-profit organization aimed at assisting low-income students matriculate to college. It offers students free SAT preparation, college application support and a atmosphere conducive to success. Greater than 92% of students in the Let's Get Ready program go on to enroll in college. As an alumni of and volunteer for Let's Get Ready who has graduated college and in the process of interviewing for medical schools, I can attest to the transformative experience the program offers its students. To learn more about Let's Get Ready's success, please visit: http://www.letsgetready.org/Our-Model-and-Impact/Results/.

Chris Soto
9/7/2013

College Visions (Providence, RI)
Bottom Line (Boston, Worcester, NYC)
Higher Edge (New London, CT)

Hannah Smythe
9/10/2013

Hi there,
I am impressed with the caliber of the work done by the organizations above, but I believe that the list will remain incomplete without the inclusion of the Alexander Hamilton Friends Association (AHFA). This nonprofit works to identify high school juniors, who, like the young Alexander Hamilton, demonstrate leadership abilities, academic excellence, a passion for public service, and financial need. Throughout each Hamilton Scholar's junior and senior years of high school, AHFA's admissions and financial aid experts provide students with individualized assistance in navigating their college search. The organization continues to support Hamilton Scholars throughout college, via ongoing leadership development training, a fully-funded trip to complete an international service project, and a program that connects students with paid internships in their fields of interest. Throughout the program, Hamilton Scholars also build an invaluable peer support network. As a 2009 Hamilton Scholar, I can testify firsthand to the impact AHFA has had in helping me grow as a leader, and in assisting me in developing an academic and career path that inspires me. I encourage all motivated, low-income students to further explore the program (check out hamiltonfriends.org).
Warmly,
Hannah

Hannah Smythe
9/10/2013

Hi there,
I am impressed with the caliber of the work done by the organizations above, but I believe that the list will remain incomplete without the inclusion of the Alexander Hamilton Friends Association (AHFA). This nonprofit works to identify high school juniors, who, like the young Alexander Hamilton, demonstrate leadership abilities, academic excellence, a passion for public service, and financial need. Throughout each Hamilton Scholar's junior and senior years of high school, AHFA's admissions and financial aid experts offer individual assistance in navigating their college search. The organization continues to support each Hamilton Scholar throughout college, via ongoing leadership development training, a fully-funded trip to complete an international service project, and a program that connects students with paid internships in their fields of interest. Throughout the program, Hamilton Scholars also build an invaluable peer support network. As a Hamilton Scholar alumna, I can testify firsthand to AHFA’s impact in helping me grow as a leader, and in helping me develop an academic and career path that inspires me. I would encourage page moderators and all motivated, low-income students to further explore the program (you can check it out at hamiltonfriends.org).
Best,
Hannah

John Fees
10/23/2013

This is a terrific list. Please contribute your suggestions and join the discussion on Leadership for Student Success & Higher Education at this LinkedIn Group.
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=5187932&trk=groups_management_submission_queue-h-logo

Steven Rothberg
10/24/2013

Please consider for CollegeRecruiter.com for inclusion on this great list.

Kristen Barber
8/3/2015

Act Six is an urban leadership scholarship initiative program under Pursue Scholars for Chicago (http://pursuescholars.org) which provides full tuition full need scholarships to various universities and provides training for high school seniors to be fully prepared to transition to college, as well as ongoing support through to graduation from college. The Chicago initiative is provide a full tuition full need scholarship to Taylor University in Upland Indiana.
Since 2002, Act Six has selected and trained 656 scholars from seven cities in 76 cadres for 11 partner colleges. They represent the very best emerging urban and community leaders that these communities have to offer. While 90% of scholars come from low-income households or are the first in their family to go to college, they are defying the odds with graduation rates of more than 80%.

TWY
9/10/2015

Reality Changers (San Diego, CA)
www.realitychangers.org

Kate Flannery
2/9/2016

Capital Partners for Education in Washington, DC!

Keith Landis
3/31/2016

Please add to your list.
Thank you!

Stephen
10/5/2016

I would recommend TeenSHARP.
I believe they are in New Jersey & Delaware.
Also, I have not seen many college access programs in Delaware, can you help with that?

Tara Smith
2/10/2017

I work for a non profit called College For Every Student (CFES). Over the last 25 years, we have been committed to helping K-12 students in BOTH rural and urban communities become better prepared for college and career. We would love to be included on your list of other wonderful non profits with a shared goal of helping our students around the country!

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