Actively Engaging With College Access Participants Online

The Urban Upbound College Access Program continues to make college a reality for high school students from low-income households and public housing youth in general, even in the midst of a pandemic.

Students who participated in our Sophomore Skills course increased their PSAT scores by an average of 240 points since February. The course is administered by our College Access Program Manager Quneetsha Minor with the support of NYC Cares volunteers, and it consists of weekly PSAT preparation classes, workshops on college selection and financial aid application, and monthly one-on-one check-ins to discuss student growth and plans.

Program Manager Quneetsha Minor worked diligently at the start of the pandemic to transition programming to a digital platform, making sure students stayed on track with their college application process. For our Junior program, this meant participating in virtual college tours and online information sessions. Quneetsha scheduled and facilitated tours for students on a weekly basis and prompted them to think about the pros and cons of each college option. Students also participated in weekly workshops, with topics covering resume writing, the college admission process and COVID-19, and how to finance your college education.

With high school students staying at home and unable to take advantage of the traditional counseling services at their schools, the Urban Upbound College Access program has proven invaluable in ensuring students and parents receive access to the information, support, and motivation necessary to make informed college admission decisions.