Taking the leap from high school to a college campus
In just a matter of days, CSF Scholar JJ will step on the Everett Community College campus to take her first college class. The move from high school into college is a major milestone that can bring a mix of emotions, including excitement, anticipation, and maybe even some nervousness. But JJ remains confident and focused, planning to take it all in stride.
Over the summer, JJ passed her driving test so she’s ready to take on the 15-minute commute to campus. Additionally, to get ahead of the game, she’s been registered since July to take English, math, and STEM classes. JJ plans to become an environmental scientist–working in different parts of the world, focusing on climate change and its effects on plants and trees.
“I am most excited about my STEM 101 class,” JJ enthusiastically shares. “I see our planet getting worse and worse by the day and I truly want to make a difference. I want to preserve this beautiful home that we were blessed with for many more years to come.”
Discovering a passion
JJ was born in the smallest country in Africa, The Gambia. As an elementary student, she and her family arrived in the U.S. and lived in Bronx, NY for two years before moving to Washington state in 2016–bringing her passion for our planet with her.
As a young child, JJ and her family would cultivate rice in community lands and deliver it to her neighbors in her village. Today, she dreams of starting her own botanical garden and bringing people together to enjoy it.
Throughout the last year, JJ opened up to her CSF advisors more about what she wanted to study and what an eventual career might look like. “I have learned so much more about myself,” JJ states. Throughout the process, she discovered that she wanted to go into the field of environmental science so she had to find a college with a program that was right for her.
Finding the right fit
CSF advisors understand that exposing students to different college campuses gives scholars the knowledge to make informed decisions on the college that best suits them. Learning about the various programs, student groups and other supports on campus gives students a glimpse into what the learning and social environments are like and, ultimately, if they can see themselves there.
“After JJ’s first college campus tour, it was clear that the visit had lit a fire in her,” CSF advisor Theo Mills recollects. “She came back to school ready to put in her application, apply for financial aid–she was tenacious.”
Theo witnessed a positive chain reaction at Marysville Pilchuck High School after supporting JJ through her applications for schools, scholarships and financial aid. Because JJ was so motivated, she inspired other students and even supported them in their applications.
“Before I met Theo I wasn’t too sure about college. I had no clue what FAFSA was and I didn’t even know how to get started on my college applications,” JJ recalls. “She was with me through EV-ER-Y-THING.”
One of the scholarship applications she completed was for the Leadership 1000 Scholarship–which she accepted. As an L1000 Scholar, JJ will receive up to $5,000 a year to help cover tuition and expenses. In addition, scholars also receive career and financial aid guidance as well as networking opportunities with CSF Alumni and scholarship donors to help them graduate with a college degree and achieve success in life. The L1000 Scholarship application opens October 1, 2023 to eligible CSF Scholars.
Staving off “summer melt”
An estimated 10-40%* of high school students1 who intend to enroll in college never actually do. This is called the “summer melt” effect. This phenomenon isn’t linked to students’ intentions or aspirations; but rather, it relates to some of the challenges they face to successfully navigate the complex forms and procedures that can put a stop to their journey towards higher education.
“CSF advisors work to ensure high school students are as far along in the college enrollment and orientation process as possible before they graduate and step into summer,” CSF Executive Director-NW Coastal Keith Stier-Van Essen explains. “Then coaches meet with students during the summer for their first coaching session.”
During these sessions, coaches learn about the student’s progress toward enrollment as well as identify and support the student in troubleshooting any barriers they have encountered. CSF coaches share campus resources and activities on the horizon that will build a sense of belonging for the student–which research shows is a key to retention and success in the first year.
College life for first-gen students
CSF college coach Ariana Franklin has been helping soon-to-be Everett Community College students, like JJ, make the transition into college over the summer. In addition to helping students figure out college systems and sharing resources, Ariana also learns about their personal lives so that she can tailor her support to their needs.
Ariana met with JJ twice over the summer, giving her tours of the campus, bringing her to the financial aid office and introducing her to people on campus.
“Ariana gives me a real insight into what college is going to be like,” JJ observes. “I can text, email her anytime with anything and she gets back to me with an affirming answer.”
First-year students can sometimes struggle with their sudden independence and have bouts of imposter syndrome. That’s when having a coach by the students’ sides can help them persist.
“Since meeting JJ last spring at Marysville-Pilchuck, I have been struck by how her mindset has changed,” Ariana remarks. “From not being exactly sure that college was for her to finding a newfound confidence over the summer.”
JJ has told Ariana that she wants to be a role model at college for other women of color and to make her family proud.“ As a first-gen college student, I have opportunities that my parents didn’t get to have,” JJ recognizes. “It means I have to stay motivated and determined to succeed in life and in school. It is my goal to follow my dreams to make their dreams of having a college graduate come true.”
Special thanks to Andrew Santos, College & Career Specialist at Marysville Pilchuck High School, for his partnership and collaborative efforts across various events and initiatives in the last year. Additionally, we send our appreciation to Kesia Ceniceros, Associate Dean for Student Support Services at Everett Community College, for her support and partnership–ensuring that CSF has what we need to effectively assist students.
- Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University, https://sdp.cepr.harvard.edu/summer-melt-tools ↩︎