"As a junior and senior in high school, I knew I was expected to go to college, but I had almost no guidance about the whole process. I don’t recall any adult ever talking with me about my interests or aptitudes. I barely remember who our high school guidance counselor was. I was facing life-altering decisions but had no direction at all; I didn’t even know what questions to ask. I got one college brochure in the mail, and that was it. Even after I enrolled as a freshman, I was directionless and wasted a lot of time trying to figure out my path. I considered becoming a physical therapist because I met one and thought the job was cool, but I wasn’t very good at math or science. I went to massage therapy school and got my license, but that wasn’t satisfying for me either. I knew I wanted to help other people somehow, to give back, but I didn’t know how to choose a field that would allow me to do that and was a good fit for my abilities. It took me 11 years to finish my undergraduate degree.
"I realize how much the right kind of guidance would have helped me, and that’s why I’m so invested in the work I do now with The College Initiative. We go into high schools and help students navigate the college selection and application process. We work with them on increasing their ACT and SAT scores, help them find scholarships to pay for their education, and help them choose a college that is a good fit for them so that they will not only attend, but will stay and graduate. We provide tutoring, offer AP courses, help students write college application essays and personal statements, and take students on college visits, all free of charge. We’re in constant contact with our students through texts, emails, and personal interaction.
"There are many very bright students in Memphis who have no idea how to navigate the college search and application process or how they would pay for higher education even if they were accepted. We help them find answers to those questions. Guidance counselor positions in schools are being cut, so there’s an even greater need for this kind of help now than there was in the past. We have to bridge that gap. We have to help our kids."
"I realize how much the right kind of guidance would have helped me, and that’s why I’m so invested in the work I do now with The College Initiative. We go into high schools and help students navigate the college selection and application process. We work with them on increasing their ACT and SAT scores, help them find scholarships to pay for their education, and help them choose a college that is a good fit for them so that they will not only attend, but will stay and graduate. We provide tutoring, offer AP courses, help students write college application essays and personal statements, and take students on college visits, all free of charge. We’re in constant contact with our students through texts, emails, and personal interaction.
"There are many very bright students in Memphis who have no idea how to navigate the college search and application process or how they would pay for higher education even if they were accepted. We help them find answers to those questions. Guidance counselor positions in schools are being cut, so there’s an even greater need for this kind of help now than there was in the past. We have to bridge that gap. We have to help our kids."
Melinda Lejman is Special Projects Officer with the non-profit organization The College Initiative.
High school students who are interested in applying to The College Initiative program may contact Melinda at ---
Email: melinda.lejman@thecollegeinitiative.org
Phone: 901-417-4774
Read the interview with Gabriel, Founder and CEO, at http://www.connectingmemphis.com/memphis/gabriel
High school students who are interested in applying to The College Initiative program may contact Melinda at ---
Email: melinda.lejman@thecollegeinitiative.org
Phone: 901-417-4774
Read the interview with Gabriel, Founder and CEO, at http://www.connectingmemphis.com/memphis/gabriel
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