volunteering
For many students at our public high schools, a college education and career often seem elusive. The dream is for someone else: someone whose family speaks English at home and has a tradition of going to college—or someone with more financial resources.
We believe we can change this.
By drawing on the skills, experiences and resources in our community, we can help our students realize their dreams. There is only one college counselor at most public high schools. We know that engaged volunteers will become advocates for students and public education as we work to bolster our schools’ college counseling.
CollegePath LA consists of three main program components: We help students at critical moments in their college application process. We introduce them to careers. We support them in college through our alumni group.
We believe we can change this.
By drawing on the skills, experiences and resources in our community, we can help our students realize their dreams. There is only one college counselor at most public high schools. We know that engaged volunteers will become advocates for students and public education as we work to bolster our schools’ college counseling.
CollegePath LA consists of three main program components: We help students at critical moments in their college application process. We introduce them to careers. We support them in college through our alumni group.
YEAR-AT-A-GLANCE October & November: Personal Statements
January: FAFSA March & April: Career Awareness Ongoing Workshops Alumni Support |
ACCESS ONLINE volunteer form |
how to volunteerOctober & November: Personal Statements
The essay is one of the most important parts of the college application, especially for first generation immigrant students. Each fall, we hold several after-school workshops for a total of over 150 students. Students are paired one-on-one with a volunteer who helps them find and develop their personal story. In addition, we recruit volunteers to work with students on a drop-in basis during the week before Thanksgiving. Students are rushing to complete their applications and need help polishing their essays. The deadline for submission to the University of California typically falls at the end of November. What are we looking for in a volunteer? Thoughtful people who know a good story when they hear it. Good listeners who are able to work with students. We ask that you commit to a minimum of one workshop, which lasts about three hours. This includes a brief training and the time spent working with students. January: FAFSA We partner with a Los Angeles city initiative called Cash for College to help families complete the FAFSA, an online federal financial aid application that each student is required to complete. Volunteers work with families to help them complete their forms. What are we looking for in a volunteer? People who are comfortable with online forms. CPAs are especially welcome. We ask that you commit to four hours on a Saturday morning in January. March & April: Career Awareness Motivation and initiative are keys to success in high school, and for many students this comes from discovering a dream career. We recruit volunteers to talk about their careers—what they do and the education and experience it takes to get there. We do this in two ways: · Career Seminars: We organize a series of panels, each focused on a specific field, including medicine, engineering, the arts, law, social work and public service. Classroom Speakers: Working with teachers, we bring speakers into their classrooms. For example, we invite health care professionals to a physiology class, or journalists to a broadcast news class. What are we looking for in a volunteer? People who love their careers and want to talk about them. If you participate in our after-school workshops, we ask that you commit to two hours. If you are a classroom speaker, we ask that you commit to one hour. Ongoing Workshops Throughout the year, we organize workshops that draw on the experience and expertise of our volunteers. Workshops include SAT preparation, resume writing, interviewing techniques and study skills. What are we looking for in a volunteer? People who want to teach what they know. The time commitment depends entirely on what volunteers want to do. CollegePath LA will work this out on an individual basis with the volunteer and college counselor. Support our Alumni Group First generation students are at a high risk of dropping out of college, especially during the first two years. To address this, we have an alumni support group of students who have participated in our program over the past four years. Currently over 40 students meet together three times a year--along with community volunteers--to talk about their experiences, share challenges, and figure out how to help one another. What are looking for in a volunteer? People who can help students identify internships and volunteer opportunities in the careers they hope to pursue. The time commitment varies. It could be a phone conversation, a meeting, or an ongoing mentoring relationship. |
what our volunteers say The most enjoyable part of the process is helping students discover that their lives and experiences are interesting! As we weave the threads of their unique stories, each student gains confidence and understands there's no single formula for drafting a college essay.
Jody Brooks, college counselor --------------------------------------------------------------------------- I got at least as much pleasure as the students got ideas in return for “brainstorming” with them. It is one of the pleasures of volunteering to be enlightened by the students! Ethel Rhodes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Walking to my car after one of the college essay workshops, I always leave uplifted and hopeful about the future. The students’ motivation, creativity and tenacity to overcome daunting challenges never cease to impress me. Holly Holyk, occupational therapist; enjoys writing --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nothing beats the pride we feel as teachers when a student comes back from college to visit. It is wonderful to know that somewhere out there is a doctor who graduated from Berkeley and a student studying abroad in France, and that they both remember my English class. But neither would have gotten where they did without superb college entrance essays. This is not something I can possibly teach in the confines of my class. Some parents pay big dollars to get these things written, and it is fundamentally unfair if my students don’t have the same opportunity. Thanks to CollegePathLA--they do. Scott Banks, English teacher, Marshall High School --------------------------------------------------------------------------- These kids were more than I expected. They were eager. They were interesting. They were unassuming. And, although they didn't realize it, they were full of promise. They were very unsure about themselves and almost to a person, didn't think there was anything special about themselves, or worth writing about. And to a person, they were very, very wrong. My role was to help them realize they were unique and that their short but meaningful life experiences were definitely worth writing about.I’m now sure that each one I worked with left with more insight and confidence in who they are becoming and how best to express that. But my unexpected realization was just how much they touched ME. I am definitely better for knowing them. After each session, I made sure to tell Susan what was in my heart: “These kids make me believe that we’re going to be okay.” And that thought made me smile all the way back to my car." Leslie Edmonds, travel blogger; diversity and supervision skills instructor; retired human resources manager --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The workshops provide students with critical information and support that will lead to long-term college success. With the UCs modifying their writing requirement this year, it is important for students to have support from experts. The program not only helps students apply to college but also creates a network of support that will be with them for years to come. That is the true gift from CPLA. Jorge Rodriguez, high school chemistry teacher, alumnus of Marshall High School and CollegePath LA --------------------------------------------------------------------------- When I speak with students, I'm reminded how wonderful it is to get out of my office and feel like I'm connecting with young people and hopefully making a difference in their lives. This experience is a gift for me. Ruth Tavlin, marriage and family therapist ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I volunteered at first with some trepidation. However, I immediately understood that it wasn’t my role to write the essays. It is joyous to hear the students’ individual stories and help them decide what is most important or different about themselves that would make their essays stand out. Joan Kramer, librarian ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I always learn so much from these students; mostly how hard they have to work to overcome their personal and family challenges. To be in their company is a fulfilling experience. Lynn Winter Gross, public relations/marketing --------------------------------------------------------------------------- When I was 17, my best friend was my college application coach. I am sure that without her I never would have made it to college. I wish all young people could have this kind of careful guidance and inspiration. I look forward to many years of coaching with CollegePath LA. Lois Tryk, photographer ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- There's nothing as life-changing as helping to change another life. That's what CollegePath LA has been for me. Grady Miller, writer ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |