A Scholar’s Perspective
you a High School junior planning your future but unsure of where to start? For some high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds, the road to college and into their early career may seem daunting. Without proper advising and support, a promising young student may become overwhelmed by the process. Here are 3 reasons why I would choose Thrive Scholars to help me build a better future and launch my career.
1. College Access
For a junior in high school, college and early career may seem far away. Preoccupied with classes, being involved in extracurricular activities, sports, and sometimes jobs, students in the eleventh grade may struggle with proper planning and preparation for the college application process they will soon be undergoing. With Thrive Scholars, you gain access to a network of support that helps you through the college application process and beyond. Summer Academies provide real insight into life on a college campus, as well as experience in writing and math classes taught by real professors. Expert one-on-one coaching and mentorship from College Access Managers on topics like financial aid, personal statements, and building a college list that is right for you, Scholars are better prepared to complete the Common App and represent themselves authentically to top colleges. Additionally, Thrive Scholars connects you to a network of ambitious students from all over the country that you can connect and grow with.
2. College Success
Once you’ve been accepted into a top college, Thrive supports students to ensure that they are not just enrolled, but on-track to graduate. The College Success team works with Scholars to provide support in the transition from high school to college, as well as academic support and mentorship designed to help alleviate the stress of college. For first-generation or low-income college students, Thrive provides resources like workshops and panel discussions on topics like imposter syndrome, economic mobility, and time management in order to arm Scholars with the skills they will need to succeed in college. Scholars also receive a yearly stipend, designed to help bridge the financial gap that many college students experience, and can be applied toward tuition, books, and other expenses.
3. Career Coaching
Thrive’s support doesn’t end with college graduation. The skills, connections, and experiences you gain throughout the six-year program will inform the work you do in your early career. With Thrive’s corporate partnerships and connections spanning multiple industries, Scholars have the unique opportunity to apply for selective internships with top firms in finance, law, consulting, and more. Career coaching allows Scholars to meet with mentors knowledgeable about and experienced in their chosen pathway, and can provide tailored feedback on the application processes for jobs, internships, and post-graduate education programs
Thrive can help you build a better future. I remember being a junior in high school, unsure about what my future would hold and how I would get there. When I was accepted into Thrive, I could have never imagined that I’d be where I am today, helping the next generation of students get access to and succeed in their academic endeavors. If you or someone you know is a high-achieving student in the eleventh grade from an under-resourced community, I urge you to consider applying for Thrive Scholars this Fall.
Bi
A native from the Bronx, NYC, Kamila Andujar Lora is a first-generation college student and proud Dominican-American. Recently graduated from the George Washington University where she majored in Sociology, Kamila is a Thrive Scholar alumna who is passionate about serving and giving back to her community. After graduating a semester early, Kamila completed an internship with Thrive’s Recruitment and Enrollment team, and will be continuing her studies at New York Law School in the Fall.