PSP transformed our annual College Success Retreat into an online event this past summer and fall due to COVID 19. All rising 11th and 12th grade scholars participated in three months of weekly workshops, instead of taking part in our usual in-person intensive on a college campus. Each week they focused on a different topic to support them in their college planning.

Scholars learned how to research and create their college and scholarship lists, learned about financial aid and reviewed the timeline and steps in the  college application process. Through an expanded partnership with The Plus Me Project, PSP scholars participated in a series of storytelling workshops where they explored their personal life stories, creating a blueprint for their college essays.

Scholars used an online tool called Jamboard to anonymously share their financial aid questions & concerns with staff and mentors.

Scholars also learned organization/time management techniques and how to put together a resume, invaluable life skills for our future young professionals. Near the culmination, scholars attended a PSP Alumni Panel where they had the opportunity to converse with our current first generation college scholars. 

(Clockwise) Thae, attending UC Santa Barbara; Alexis, attending CSU Dominguez Hills; Quisi, attending Beloit College; Kimberly, attending UC Irvine.

Click Here to Listen to the PSP Alumni Panel Discussion 

PSP staff and volunteer mentors are continuing to provide support to scholars as they begin to submit their college applications and look forward to hearing about their acceptances in a few months! As the year progresses, we’ll work with them to help them understand their financial aid award letters and decide which college they want to attend.