On July 8, 2012, 53 rising high school seniors will arrive for a weeklong stay at the College of Charleston as part of the university’s most successful college preparation program for multicultural students. After participating in Senior Project, the majority of students go on to enroll in a higher education institution, and nearly half of last year’s participants will attend the College of Charleston this fall.
During Senior Project, the high school seniors have the opportunity to work with current students, attend a college class, take a practice SAT/ACT exam, complete an application for admission to the College of Charleston, and learn about financial aid and the application process.
The majority of students are coming from across South Carolina, with the Midlands region sending the most students. There are 43 high schools represented including students from Colorado, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. One student is cutting her summer vacation short and traveling from India for the program.
A past participant says: “Senior Project was extremely helpful. After Senior Project I wasn’t afraid to apply to college.”
Debbie Counts, associate director of admissions, says, “Senior Project is so successful because with just 53 students, we can spend individual time with each of them so at the end of the week, they are ready to apply to any university. This initiative plays a critical role in attracting and retaining more multicultural and first generation college students, which a priority in the College’s strategic plan. I’m hopeful that in the future we will be able to offer a second week of Senior Project, allowing an additional 50 students the opportunity to become comfortable on a college campus.”
Senior Project was started in summer 2009, this is the fourth year it has been offered.
For more information, visit the website, or contact Debbie Counts at 843.953.4954.
