Problem

The lack of awareness about available resources and the complexity of the college application process were significant barriers for students in my hometown community. Many students missed out on opportunities due to these challenges. Attending high school and growing up in a low economic neighborhood meant I was no stranger to the lack of resources and opportunities available to students in the local area. After college I became a college adviser through the Americorp College Advising Corp network. I aimed to make more students aware of resources available to them and with the college application process.

Solution

I worked alongside a team of educators, counselors, and volunteers to address these challenges.

The Americorp AdviseTX program allowed me to create workshops on financial aid, scholarship applications, and essay writing as apart of my role as a College Adviser. I also provided one-on-one counseling sessions with students to help them navigate the application process and identify potential scholarship opportunities. I managed the school's online platform where students could access resources such as admissions deadlines and scholarship applications to help students prepare and fund the college admissions process.

Impact

Increased awareness of available resources among students in low economic neighborhoods
Improved understanding of the college application process among students and parents
Increase in number of scholarship applications submitted by students

"The AdviseTx program has had an incredible impact on the lives of students in our community. It has opened doors and provided opportunities that were previously out of reach." - B. English

Accomplishments

Provided one-on-one counseling sessions with students and assisted with admittance in top two school choices
Helped student obtain Gate's Millennium Scholarship Award

Increasing College Access in Low Socio-Economic Communities