The Perfect Match – A Lesson from The College Advising Corps

Author: Rachel Martinez

Development Intern, GreenLight Fund 

In September 2013, the GreenLight Fund supported the launch of the College Advising Corps in Boston. The College Advising Corps places well-trained, recent college graduates as full-time college advisers in the nation’s underserved high schools. Their mission is to provide support for high-need students throughout the college application process, serving as positive role models, while also helping foster a college-going culture. This fall, 16 advisers will serve in 15 Boston public high schools, as well as KIPP Lynn.

On my first day at GreenLight, I was lucky enough to sit in on a College Advising Corps (CAC) summer training session to prepare college advisers to work with local high school students this coming year.

The day’s session focused on helping high school seniors select colleges where they have the greatest likelihood of succeeding. I was particularly struck by the difference between helping students find a good “match” vs. “fit” when selecting a college. According to Jennifer Cox Bell, CAC director of programs and partnerships, and the session trainer, match is purely about a student’s academics, whereas fit involves assessing colleges based on many facets of a student’s life: income status, family commitments, extracurricular interests, to name just a few. CAC has a strong track record and deep expertise in helping students select colleges that are both good matches and fits for them. They help them consider many factors like financial aid offerings, location, graduation rate, extracurricular activities, and degree options in selecting a college. 

The Boston Advisers with CAC leadership, Jennifer Cox Bell and Katie Magyar

One of the ways low-income, first generation students often select colleges that aren't the best fit is by under-matching. Almost everyone in the room raised their hands when Cox Bell asked if we knew what “under-matching” meant. Sadly, many students, especially those from families with incomes in the lowest quartile, enroll in colleges for which they are overqualified. As a result, these students may feel unchallenged academically and may not get the support that other colleges could give, which significantly decreases their chances of graduating.

A large part of the afternoon’s training involved teaching the advisers about tools and strategies they will use to help students find colleges with the right fit for them. Cox Bell suggested that the advisers try an activity designed to help students visualize what they want in a college. The activity includes printing photos representing many aspects of college life, such as class size, setting, and campus culture. The adviser’s high school students would then stick post-it notes on the photos that appeal to them in each category. Although it seems simple, this is often a very effective activity, especially since many of the students are the first in their families to consider college and still may not believe that it is an option for them.

The Boston Advisers with GreenLight Fund staff

One of my favorite features of the day was hearing advisers tell stories from their own experiences.  Most of the advisers are themselves are from low-income communities and were the first in their families to graduate from college. One adviser told us that the valedictorian of his class didn't even attend college. As the son of immigrant parents, it was difficult for this student to navigate the college application process – even with a strong academic record. Unfortunately, he did not have the support of a college adviser who could have provided much-needed guidance about options, like applying for scholarships. Another adviser described her own experience at a university that “refused to let her drop out,” suggesting that if she had selected another university or under-matched she may have dropped out herself.

The Boston Advisers discuss the best college options for a sample student

The highlight of the day was seeing the passion of the advisers to help students follow in their footsteps to and through college. During discussions of case studies of hypothetical students, the advisers were already strong advocates for these students, carefully considering how best to help each one and showing how hard and creatively they will work to ensure every senior in their high schools prepares for, applies to and selects a college where they can succeed.

Seeking Opportunity at Every Turn

Author: Stephanie Whitham

Intern, GreenLight Fund Bay Area

In early 2013, GreenLight Fund selected Genesys Works to be its first portfolio organization to import into the San Francisco Bay Area. Genesys Works is a national nonprofit organization that started in Houston, Texas over 12 years ago to help change the life trajectories for low-income students through meaningful work opportunities with a region’s best companies. GreenLight is investing $1.165M over five years to support students like Peony Yu (story below) with Genesys Works’ launch and growth in the Bay Area.

Many have experienced “senioritis,” or having no motivation during senior year in high school. It is hard to avoid with all the excitement of the celebrations, college acceptances, and graduation just around the corner. Peony Yu not only avoided senioritis, but she made her senior year one of the most productive and meaningful times of her high school career.

Peony was born and raised in Oakland, CA by her mother and described herself as a curious child, always wanting to try new things. When Peony saw a presentation by Genesys Works at her high school during her junior year, she learned she could have the opportunity to be placed in a year-long program that would match her with a paid internship as well as help with the college application process. Peony was immediately drawn to the fantastic opportunity, and was encouraged by her mother and brother to take a chance and try something new.

Peony applied and was accepted to be part of the pilot cohort of young professionals for Genesys Works Bay Area. After initial acceptance into the program, Peony then attended an eight-week summer training where she learned to communicate and take initiative in a professional setting, as well as technical skills that Peony would use during her internship. At the end of the eight weeks, Peony was assigned to work for Gensler, an architecture firm in downtown San Francisco. Landen Zernickow, Program Coordinator and Alumni Success Manager at Genesys Works Bay Area, remembers Peony beginning the training as one of the more quiet students of the group, but by the end of the training Peony was taking initiative and was becoming more comfortable advocating for herself.

As Peony began her senior year, she was faced with the challenge of managing a difficult schedule that included multiple Advanced Placement and Honors classes and an internship where she would work until 5 p.m. 5 days a week, plus, she was working hard to complete her college applications.

Beyond the challenge of managing many commitments, Peony remembers being very nervous her first day working at Gensler, concerned that she was not fully prepared to handle her responsibilities. Peony was surprised at how quickly she was able to complete tasks, with her supervisor giving her more and more work as her internship progressed through the school year. When I asked Peony if her internship was what she expected she happily responded, “I didn’t expect to have fun!” She thought she was just going to go to work and that would be it, but she realized she made valuable connections with her co-workers and enjoyed her projects and tasks. Peony described some of her biggest lessons learned as “not being afraid to make mistakes, and learning how to adapt to a different work environment that includes communicating with and asking co-workers for help.” 

Peony and Peter Katz, Executive Director of Genesys Works - Bay Area, at the 2013 Breaking Through Ceremony

Approximately 8 months into her internship and senior year, Peony was accepted to the University of California – Irvine and plans study Biological Science. Peony is excited about attending college, and credits Genesys Works for giving her the extra confidence to be more outgoing and seek out new opportunities. She is even planning to join the dance team at UC-Irvine to help meet new people and try something she has not done before. However, before she even thinks of being on UC-Irvine’s campus, she will complete the remainder of her 12-month internship with Gensler at the end of this summer.

Class of 2013 - Genesys Works Bay Area Breaking Through Ceremony

One of Genesys Works’ goals is not only to support students to access college, but to also support their persistence to college graduation – more than 95% of Genesys Works graduates go on to college, with more than 86% persisting beyond their first year. Like all Genesys Works Bay Area alumni, Peony will have Genesys Works as a resource throughout her collegiate career. Staff will continue to work with each of the young professionals to ensure they are on the path to success to matriculate and graduate from post-secondary institutions.

Peony does not know what she wants to do after graduating from college. However, she hopes to have a job where she can travel and continue to foster her curiosity – with her new mantra leading the way: “never say no to an opportunity.”