Diving into the college admissions process can be overwhelming. And for many students, it’s hard to even know where to start. The NYU College Access Leadership Institute (CALI) fills in the gaps for high schoolers, teaching them what they need to know and empowering them for what lies ahead.
Learn the Most Important Application Information
NYU CALI is a free, week-long residential program that helps rising seniors demystify the complexities of the college application process. Here, you learn how to write a stand-out college essay and navigate scholarships and financial aid. Furthermore, workshops led by NYU admissions counselors help you narrow down your college list. Plus, since you live in the NYU dorms, study in NYU classrooms, and share meals at the campus dining facilities, you really get a taste of college life.
“I expected this to just be a school program where you attend classes and submit homework every night,” says one recent NYU CALI graduate. “But it wasn’t. I was so happy to have an amazing small group that valued my voice. And the leaders really cared about everything we had to say.”
The sessions cover college application basics, such as standardized testing, essay writing, and scholarships. They also dive deeper into topics like financial literacy and engaging with admissions staff. What’s more, program graduates receive a waiver for NYU’s application fee, though they can apply anywhere they’d like. In fact, past participants have been admitted to colleges across the country.
Bridging the College-Readiness Divide
In its nearly 15 years, NYU CALI has guided more than 1,000 high school juniors and seniors through the college application process. Many of these students are the first in their families to attend college, without generations of experience to fall back on. A large number come from under-resourced school districts where they receive little one-on-one attention from a school counselor as they weigh their college options. NYU CALI helps bridge the divide in college access and readiness for these students.
“I enjoyed the friendships I made and the connections we built,” shares another recent NYU CALI graduate. “It was this amazing experience; I got to be around people who had been through some of the same things I’d been through. Everyone aspired to be the best and put their best foot forward on the way to college. The workshops were really educational—they helped so much.”
Become a Leader Among Your Peers
NYU CALI graduates are far from the only high schoolers influenced by the program. Over the years program graduates have returned to their high schools as trained ambassadors. There, they use tools they gained from NYU CALI to lead their very own college access workshops. Additionally, they mentor other students who have the same questions they once did.
Each year NYU CALI’s leaders aim to expand the program to reach even more students. Their goal? Each participant creates a ripple effect that opens doors in historically underserved and marginalized communities, changing the face of future college classes around the country.
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