College Summit Southern California

Cause Area

  • Children & Youth
  • Community
  • Computers & Technology
  • Education & Literacy
  • Race & Ethnicity

Location

880 Apollo StreetSuite 160El Segundo, CA 90245 United States
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Organization Information

Mission Statement

Since 1993, College Summit has been nearly doubling the college enrollment rate among low-income high school students at our Summer Workshops. College Summit works to increase college enrollment rates of low-income students by building school districts' capacity to guide their students through the college preparation and application process. The organization seeks to create lasting change by helping secondary schools and the communities they serve develop a culture where going to college is what is expected of every student - not the exception. College Summit uses a systemic approach combining teacher training, post-secondary planning curriculum, peer leadership and data management that facilitates accountability.

Description

College Summit is an award-winning national nonprofit strengthening the college-going culture in low-income schools and communities. 79% of students who attend a College Summit Summer Workshop enroll in college, and 80% stay in college.

Thoughout the year, volunteers support our students in various ways:

1. College Applications Season (Oct-Nov) - Volunteers come out to our high schools to work one-on-one with students, helping them complete their personal statements, "brag sheets," and college applications. Most sessions last 2-3 hours.


2. FAFSA Drive (Jan-Feb) - Volunteers come out to our high schools to help our students complete the FAFSA, which qualifies them for federal financial aid. No training is required. Most FAFSA Sessions last 2-3 hours.


3. Career Months (mar-Apr) - To expose our students to the information and skills needed for college and career success, we host Career Panels and Mock Interview Days. Volunteers tell their high school-to-career stories, or conduct mock interviews and provide constructive feedback. Most panels/interviewing sessions are 1-3 hours.


4. Summer Workshops (June-July) - Peer Leader Workshops are weekend-long retreats for our rising high school seniors, where they learn the ins and outs of the college-going process on the campus of a local university. Volunteer Writing Coaches work with a group of 4-5 students for a combined 13 hours, helping them craft a first draft of their College Personal Statement. Other volunteers serve as College Coaches, working one-on-one with students, helping them create an ambitious but realistic college list. Volunteers stay in private suites in the dorms during the entire Workshop, Thursday through Sunday.

Reviews

Would you recommend College Summit Southern California?
1 review Write a review
by Roberto L. from Van Nuys, CA (2009-05-07 15:21:55.0)
College Summit is a wonderful organization in which the volunteers get at least as much as those that they help. As a writing coach coordinator, I've recommended the organization to friends and colleagues, who have gone on to volunteer as writing coaches, helping low-income students get to college.
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