Volunteer with College Connect as a writing coach, and help shape a young persons future educational path! Last year, in large part because of our great volunteer writing coaches:
- Our students have submitted 277 scholarship applications, and have raised over $675,000 in scholarship awards to date.
- 100% of cohort 5 students have been accepted to a 4-year college. Students are still making final college decisions, however 90% have been admitted to a UC, 45% have been admitted to a private school, and 100% have been admitted to to a CSU.
- 6 students have been awarded full ride scholarships: 1 Questbridge scholar, who will be attending Vassar College, 1 Gates Millennium scholar, who will be attending UC Berkeley – he will also have his education funded through graduate school, and 4 additional students have received full scholarships to attend UC Berkeley.
Writing coaches have been a crucial part of this progress, as they help students craft the personal statement which is used both on college and scholarship applications. Check out our Facebook page so you can get to know Cohort 6. We have a great group of 25 students this year!
There are two types of College Connect volunteers: Summer and School Year Coaches. Writing Coaches work with their student one-on-one and assist them in writing their college entrance essays, scholarship essays, and provide meaningful support and mentorship along this journey. Coaches are asked to commit to meeting with their student at least once per week, for a minimum of 1 hour each meeting.
Summer: June-July
The best way to get to know your student is to become a Writing Coach and help them develop their personal statement, which helps colleges understand the person behind the application and test scores. Personal statement workshops typically begin the second week of June. Writing Coaches agree to attend three consecutive personal statement workshops from 5-8pm and a Writing Coach training. Coaches will be paired with a student during the workshops and will continue working with their student once a week for 5-6 weeks or until the personal statement is close to completion.
School year: August-May
After the personal statement is completed, the Writing Coach and student can choose to continue working together throughout the school year. This is also a good opportunity for a volunteer to begin working with a student if she/he was not able to begin in the summer. Students will apply to many scholarships throughout their senior year and Writing Coaches are well positioned to help them pen that perfect scholarship essay. Meeting times are flexible; students and Coaches will find the best days and times to connect.
Please contact Jill Marinelli, Program Coordinator at 415-962-8283 or jill@missiongraduates.org for more information about this opportunity.
– Jill Marinelli College Connect Program Coordinator