Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Tahoe Silicon Mountain, a network of technology professionals who live and work in the Tahoe-Truckee area, is pleased to welcome Emily Wexler to present: “Overcoming Challenges Faced by Low Income Students in the College Application Process.” Applying to college is tough enough. But, the process doesn’t end after applying and being admitted. Low income students are highly susceptible to "summer melt" (getting admitted then failing to attend). Learn about the additional hurdles that low income, first generation and rural students need to clear to get into and then attend college, and what can be done to help them overcome these challenges. Emily Wexler, Executive Director of Learning Bridge of the Sierra, a local non-profit that helps students with their college and financial aid applications, will also talk about identifying challenges in the Western Association of College Admission Counselors (WACAC) Code of Ethics that adversely affects low socioeconomic and first-in-family students. You can learn more about Learning Bridge of the Sierra at: http://www.learningbridgesierra.org/ The meeting will be on Monday, October 13th, 6-8 pm at Pizza on the Hill, in Tahoe Donner at 11509 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee. A $5 fee includes pizza and salad. Before and after the presentation, there will be time for networking with other technology professionals who live and work in the Tahoe-Truckee region. This month’s event is sponsored by New Leaders and the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce. You can find us on LinkedIn and Facebook and at TahoeSiliconMountain.com or sign up for email meeting announcements here: http://bit.ly/14XGofL.
Citation preview
Learning Bridge of the Sierra
We serve students in the Tahoe Truckee region who have a demonstrated need by
providing access to education as a pathway to a better life and greater economic
success.
Community Report Card Goal
%100 of TTUSD Students are ready for college
• 43% of TTUSD students complete the CSU/UC requirements
• 49% of TTUSD students score over 1,500 on SATs
• 56% TTUSD of students participate on the SAT
How it is Supposed to Go
Research
Apply
FAFSA*
Admt/Decl
View Aid
Decide
Even if You’ve Been to College
• Special vocabulary is required• Process timeline knowledge is assumed• Research skills & Internet required
“The admissions world has its own language, full of poetic terms, such as “demonstrated interest,” “need-based aid,” and “holistic review.” Don’t forget the beauty of “binding early decision” and “single-choice early action.””
The “Admissions Lexicon” is Vast and Confounding, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Eric Hoover
Research Challenges
Low Socioeconomic
• Did not research because they don’t believe they can afford college
• Figures someone will tell them if/when to apply
• Works to support family
First Generation
• Seeks advice from everyone
• Figures someone will tell them if/when to apply
• Comes to conclusions based on peer information
• Figures out where they want to apply, based on peer advice
Apply
Low Socioeconomic
• Cell phone dependent
• No computer at home
• No internet at home
• No time outside of school
• Did not take SAT/ACT
First Generation
• Cell phone dependent
• Often make choices based on perceived costs– Tuition numbers
– Community College
You’re not done after you finish
“I can’t use the computer at the school because I work right after school and it is usually closed during [break] and part of lunch—that wouldn’t be enough time anyway. So a couple of times, I went to an Internet café place and then another time I went to my friend’s house. The part that makes it tough though is that I don’t always have a place to check my email”
The Internet and College Access: Challenges for Low-Income Students, American Federation of Teachers, Kristan M. Venegas, 2007
Admit/Decline
• Portals
• Passwords
• Deadlines
All provide multiple opportunities for failure
What We Need
• Multiyear financial commitments from local businesses
• Certified Fundraising Professional CA &/or NV
• Private Donations
• Funds for campus visit tours
• Create a pro college environment
