collegetrack.org - College Affairs

College Affairs

Over 90% of College Track students will be the first in their families to attend college. The college admissions process demands significant institutional knowledge that is not passed along across generations in low-income communities like it is amongst more affluent communities.

The College Affairs program aims to overcome this disadvantage. Standardized testing, letters of recommendation, transcripts and personal statements are unfamiliar terrains for most of College Track's students. We strive to make the process as clear, straight-forward, and unthreatening as possible through offering the following services:

College Tours	Beginning in the sophomore year, students are eligible to tour college campuses across California.Students gain firsthand experience on a college campus and can make better choices when deciding where to apply. During the school year we bring college representatives to our centers.
College Advising	We provide individualized support to our seniors, helping with researching schools, filling out applications, writing essays, requesting recommendation letters, and meeting deadlines. Each fall, a senior is matched with a volunteer advisor who helps them navigate the application process.
Summer Writing Institute	Each summer, our seniors learn about the significance of the personal statement within the larger college application and compelling writing techniques. By the end of the Institute, each senior will have a working draft of his/her personal statement.
Scholarship Applications & Financial Aid	We encourage our students to strive for the college of their choice, undaunted by tuition costs. Beginning in their freshman year, students are required to apply for scholarships. As seniors, students fill out the FAFSA and are required to apply to at least ten scholarships.
Scholarship Help Desk	The Scholarship Help Desk provides one-on-one support to students in need of help researching and applying for scholarships. The Scholarship Help Desk is offered two days per week and staffed by volunteers.
College Support	College Track matches our college students with an advocate at their campus. Through our College Success program, we stay in contact with every college student providing academic and financial support until college graduation.

Leonor

College Track Oakland 2007
UC Berkeley

"I was awarded student of the year at College Track by demonstrating a commitment to positive leadership and community building, as well as high academic performance. The greater award however has been all the guidance and support provided to me by College Track."