Kerman College Workshop

COLLEGE ESSAYS 

One of the most intimidating requirements of college applications is essay responses. Understanding the intimidation students feel while writing their essays, we make sure to bring ease to the process by directly assisting students with their applications. As a whole, we discuss an example essay highlighting the good and bad, giving general do's and don'ts and giving advice on how to best structure their essays. Students then start on their essays by brainstorming ideas for both the UC Application and Common Application. During this time, mentors walk around the room and directly assist students through the process.  

 FINANCIAL AID AND DREAM ACT 

Perhaps the most tedious and stressful part of applying to college is discovering how one is going to pay for their education. Applying for Finacial Aid and Dream Act is one of the most important parts of the student's application process. Often times, deadlines are not met due to misinformation or incorrect documentation. We make sure to go over these applications in detail discussing important dates, step-by-step process for filling these applications, breaking down the different CAL Grants and qualifications for each, and going over other scholarships (both local and national) students can apply to. 

 HONORARY SPEAKERS AND STUDENT PANEL 

We understand that many of our students face imposter syndrome, the feeling that they are not wise enough or not qualified enough to attend these prestigious universities. To build student's confidence and directly attack any sense of imposter syndrome, we bring both honorary speakers and a college student panel to our workshops. Our honorary speakers are natives from the valley, who have not only successfully graduated with their bachelor's and masters/JD but have also accomplished a successful career. Our honorary speakers share their stories and advice to students. In our college student panel, we bring back valley natives who currently attend universities such as Stanford, Columbia, Harvard, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and more, to share their experiences and directly answer student's questions. When students see people from their own communities, with their own identities, successfully attending and graduating from prestigious universities, they begin to believe they can do the same.