Another one for the books: the 2023 College Success Retreat!
August 22, 2023 in Uncategorized
PSP hosted its 11th annual College Success Retreat! This year, 24 scholars gathered at Scripps College in Claremont to attend a multitude of workshops in preparation for college application season as well as experience residential life as college students. Scholars had the opportunity to hear from various experts in the fields of financial aid and college admissions. Through partnerships with First Gen Empower and Financial Space, scholars now know what to expect on a college application, the different types of higher education institutions, all about the FAFSA and the most favorable types of financial aid, how to search for scholarships and so much more! In addition, scholars attended session that explained college fit, helped them create their college list and started drafting their college essay. Mentors also participated in a workshop on how to support their college bound scholars.
The Lennox and El Monte PSP communities enjoyed getting to know each other through various activities, including an improv class led by WE Improv, which created comradery and had everyone laughing! Scholars and mentors also toured the five Claremont Colleges and learned about their history and areas of focus. The scholars that attended last year’s retreat, which took place at USC, had the chance to compare the ambience of a small college versus that of a big research institution.
Attendees left knowing that they have a big support group within the PSP community. A scholar shared, “I loved this retreat, so sad it’s my last, but it I’m very grateful to have been able to have the experience of getting to know other scholars while learning important lesson of challenges up ahead…I feel more excited for what lies ahead whatever the challenge may be.” Check out a snapshot of our event in this video!
In early August, Partnership Scholars Program hosted the 2022 College Success Retreat at the University of Southern California. After two years of virtual retreats, we were thrilled to come together in person. Twenty-eight rising juniors and seniors from the El Monte and Lennox regions spent the weekend at the university preparing for the upcoming college application season. Students had the chance to experience college life by staying in residence halls, eating at dining halls and exploring the beautiful campus. On Sunday, we were joined by rising sophomores for workshops on mental health, financial education and to hear from PSP alumni about their college experiences.
The retreat not only focused on preparing students for the college application process but also on teaching basic financial literacy skills and promoting personal wellness. PSP partnered with The Financial Space to bring scholars an engaging session that focused on teaching students strategies to build wealth. All scholars indicated that their confidence level to build a budget increased by the end of the session. In an anonymous poll, students were asked what they learned during the presentation. One student shared, “Investing can be a good thing and passive income is something to strive for.” Another scholar expressed, “It’s possible to build generational wealth.” PSP will continue to offer opportunities throughout the year to help students acquire and strengthen their financial literacy skills.
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.
