THROUGH COLLEGE Newsletter | Volume 4 | Issue 1 | October 2011
Summer Scholars, Not Slack ers out with...I can’t wait for college,” she says. Monica now looks forward to majoring in civil engineering. While Monica was takingclasses at UCSD, Amy Sit (King 2012) spent part of her summer volunteering at a church. Thanks to Amy, young fifth graders improved their math and writing skills. “When it comes to education, kids learn in different ways. You have to be patient” she says. Monica Mata, King 2012, poses by one of the engineering projects she com- It wasn’t just seniors who pleted at UC San Diego’s COSMOS program this summer. were able to make the most
by Maritere Guerrero, King 2012 LAST SUMMER, STUDENTS FROM KIPP KING Collegiate embraced internship and program opportunities. Others gave back to their community instead of sitting in the couch in watching MTV all day. Monica Mata, for example attended a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program called COSMOS at the University of California in San Diego. There, she learned about geophysics and structural engineering. Because the program required all student to live in campus, Monica got a taste of what it is like to live in a college dorm. “You meet such loving people who are passionate about their education and are fun to hang
of their summers. Five alumni from KIPP Summit and KIPP Bridge were able to give back to KIPP by interning at the Regional Support Office in downtown Oakland. Kailee Glover (Bridge 2011), Amy Rong, Leslie Gudino, Monica Aguilera (King 2012) and Faviola Morfin (King 2013) earned paychecks and work experience through their work in different KIPP departments - marketing, finance, development, operations and KIPP Through College. Says Monica Aguilera, “this internship has given me insight into how KIPP works to ensure its students are receiving the best education they can.” So even though the school year is still new, students should definitely start looking into opportunities to get a leg up on next summer.
Welcome back, KIPPsters!
This newsletter really is about you – the KIPPster. So, let me take a moment to celebrate our
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In This Issue: Alumni Updates Where are your classmates now? Page 3
Seniors, stay on track!
by David Ling, KIPP Through College Director WELCOME BACK TO ANOTHER YEAR OF THE KIPP Through College (KTC) Newsletter! As you know, the newsletter’s purpose is to ensure that KIPP Bay Area Schools’ students and alumni stay connected to KIPP and are aware of the services and support offered by KTC. KTC offers something for everyone; whether it is high school placement/transition services, college knowledge and admission support, college persistence/graduation support, career readiness, or fun social events, KTC is here for you.
Find us online for scholarships, resources and more!
alumni and all of their accomplishments. The recently graduated Class of 2011 has an 86% college matriculation rate. The Class of 2010 also had an 86% college matriculation rate and 94% have returned for their second year of college. Some of the colleges and universities that KIPPsters from KIPP Bayview, KIPP Bridge, KIPP SF Bay Academy, KIPP Summit and KIPP King are attending include Barnard College, Bates College, Bryn Mawr College, CSU East Bay, George Washington University, Howard University, Middlebury College, St. Mary’s College, San Francontinued on page 4
Your guide to the next three months, and one college student’s reflection Page 2
A DREAM Occured
Jahir Arzate explores the DREAM Act and what it means for KIPPsters Page 3
Senior Roadmap
“You can be your own enemy.” A college freshman reflects on what she would have done differently last year.
Your guide to the next three months of the busiest year in school.
by Annabel Moua, King 2011
by Denise Ramirez, SF Bay 2012 SENIOR YEAR IS A BUSY YEAR; ANY SENIOR could attest to that! Applying to colleges, maintaining your grades, and keeping up with extracurriculars can become very overwhelming very quickly. Not to mention, you have to make time for a social life and fun.
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Keep working on college applications. Remember that a lot of private schools require supplemental application materials Take any necessary standardized tests (SATs, ACTs, SAT IIs). Scholarship applications, scholarship applications, scholarships applications.
Register for ACT, SAT Reasoning, or SAT Subject Test(s) if you haven’t already.
On November 30th, the UC and CSU Applications are due, but you can still take the SAT and ACT in December and that score will be sent to the colleges later on.
Research colleges and create tentative college list. Research and apply to scholarships. Some great resources include Cappex.com, Fastweb.com, or the KIPP Through College Facebook page.
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Ask your high school to send your transcripts to the colleges you’re applying to.
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Ask teachers for recommendations Beware of any specific recommendation requirements specific colleges have.
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Submit early decision/early action applications.
Here’s a quick list of what you should do during the first semester of your senior year and when to do it in order to help keep you on track and organized! O
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Talk to your KIPP Through College advisor or your school counselor about scholarships, and applications. D
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Apply for more scholarships! Seriously.
Finish first draft of personal statement.
Have applications complete and submitted!
Get Common Application account (if applying to private colleges).
LAST opportunity to take any necessary SATs!
Call admissions offices of schools you are considering to see if you can schedule an interview in your area This is a great opportunity to show the college your interest and to learn more about the school.
Check up with recommendation letter writers to make sure they’ve been turned in!
Alumni Newsletter
The Alumni Newsletter is written and prepared by the KIPP Through College Alumni Advisory Council.
Follow up with your KTC advisor and get prepared to make decisions about your college future!
Alumni Advisory Council Members: Maritere Guerrero, co-chair (King 2012) Frehiwot Mael (Bridge 2012) Denise Ramirez (SF Bay 2012) Dayanit Duenas (SF Bay 2013) Jahir Arzate (King 2013) Parker Harrison (Bridge 2014) Alex Ahuatzi (SF Bay 2014) Tika Taleiea (Bayview 2014) Alfredo Lopez (Bayview 2015) For more information, contact Casey Robertson, at
[email protected].
HIGH SCHOOL WAS JUST ONE STEP IN MY life and as I start my freshman year at California State East Bay, I’m already reflecting back on some of the “what ifs” in decisions I made in high school. As a member of the first graduating class from KIPP King, our counselor and teachers had to create a college course, which would help us choose our colleges and prepare us for college applications. I only wish that someone had told me that the college process was a never ending commitment throughout my last year of high school. Once school started, I didn’t take the time to look at colleges, instead I was only worried about my senior year. I didn’t have any particular college I wanted to go to, but I was sure that I did not want to stay anywhere near home. I remember Ms. Cravanas, the college counselor at King, gave us updates on deadlines for scholarships and early applications but I never really listened until the week of the deadline. If I could go back in time, I would have written those important dates on a calendar so that I could always remind myself to complete those tasks. In the middle of October I finally began to worry about college. It was not my first priority, but it was on my list of things to do. I made sure to fill out the CSU and UC applications, and completed my FAFSA. After all of that, I thought I was done. I thought that all I had to do was wait to hear from my colleges. It turns out, there is much more paper work to fill out. I learned things the hard way my senior year. After I heard back from colleges, I decided to go CSU Northridge. Later on, I realized I didn’t turn in my financial aid papers. I didn’t hear about my financial aid statement until the end of August and when I saw it, it was not enough for me to attend. I had to change my plans last minute and now I’m attending CSU East Bay. Applying for colleges is not an easy process. It never stops completely and there are always little things you have to do. To sum it up, you can be your own enemy in the college process. I know because I missed some of deadlines that caused me to not get into my top school. But I have learned from my mistakes and I would hate to see students go through a similar situation as I did when it all can be avoided simply by being more proactive.
Newsletter | Volume 4 | Issue 1 | October 2011
Where Are They Now?
KIPP alumni head off to college across the country Emani Lewis and Ashley Terry Barnard College in New York, NY Alumni of: KIPP Bayview and KIPP Bridge Majors: Sociology and Urban Studies, Pyschology Emani: “I can reach beyond my own expectations." Ashley:“Nothing comes easy which has resulted in me pushing myself harder to achieve my goals."
Roshad Lewis UC Riverside in Riverside, CA Alumnus of: KIPP Bridge Major: Business Administration “One thing I learned from KIPP is responsibility because no one is going to make sure you are doing your homework or checking to see if you are going to class in college."
Sandra Loyola George Washington University in Washington, DC Alumnus of: KIPP Bridge Major: Political Science “I have learned how to go above and beyond what is expected and set high expectations for myself in college."
Katie Leong San Diego State University in San Diego, CA Alumnus of: KIPP King Major: Undeclared "King taught me success comes from discipline and that has become truer more than ever now."
Joshua Byrd Loyola University in New Orleans, LA Alumnus of: KIPP Summit Academy Major: Music Industry and Jazz “My experience at KIPP Summit taught me to always look towards the future and to make strategic plans on exactly what route to take to get there. In college I am doing the same thing on a daily basis.”
Infographic by Dayanit Duenas, SF Bay 2013
A DREAM Occurred: College Access Act Signed Into Law By Casey Robertson, KTC Program Associate ON OCTOBER 8th, Governor Jerry Brown signed the DREAM Act into law in California. The DREAM Act, which stands for Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, allows undocumented students to qualify for scholarships and financial aid at California’s public colleges and universities. The California DREAM Act – which is com-
prised of Bills AB 130 and AB 131 – will go into effect on January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2013, respectively. In order for a student to qualify for aid under the DREAM act, he or she must have attended a California high school for three or more years, graduated from a California high school with a diploma or GED equivalent, and must file an affidavit with their accepted college indicating that they will apply for lawful immigration as soon as they are eligible. “Going to college is a dream that promises intellectual excitement and creative thinking,” Governor Brown said in a press release. “The Dream Act benefits us all by giving top students a chance to improve their lives and the lives of all of us.” This law could also have positive effects on the
economy. A recent UCLA study also estimated that between $1.4 trillion and $3.6 trillion in taxable income would be generated over the next forty years, based upon estimates that nearly 2.1 million potential DREAM Act beneficiaries would obtain resident status. For students at KIPP Bay Area Schools, this legislation ensures that any current or future AB 540 students have stronger opportunities and access to climb the mountain to and through college. Because KIPP’s goal is to have 75 percent of its alumni graduate from college, the passage of the DREAM Act begins to remove one of the biggest barriers students face – financial aid. For more news and information on the DREAM Act, visit www.e4fc.org.
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Welcome Back, KIPPsters!
continued from page 1
Iggy Deguzman, SF Bay 2011, and Christian Bambilla, SF Bay 2011, are reunited at the San Francisco Bay Pennant Ceremony. In August, the founding class of students returned to their middle school alma mater to celebrate their achievements and show off their college pennants. Iggy is attending City College of San Francisco and Christian is attending San Francisco State University.
cisco State University, San Jose State University, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz. Just as exciting is the fact that KIPP San Jose Collegiate will have its first class, the Class of 2012, graduate in June 2012! KTC’s sole purpose is to ensure that the alumni of KBAS are supported to and through college. With a growing team of dedicated staff members, we are look forwarding to assisting our growing group of alumni climb the mountain to college. Lastly, I want to say thank you to our amazing Alumni Advisory Council for doing a wonderful job of writing articles for this newsletter to keep our alumni base informed and connected to all of the amazing things happening to members of our team and family.
Be on the lookout for an invite to upcoming pennant ceremonies for KIPP Bayview, KIPP Summit and KIPP Bridge this fall!
As always, please contact me at
[email protected] or at 510.465.5477 ext. 21 if you have any updates, questions, or concerns.
supporting kippsters to and through college. 426 17th Street, Suite 200 Oakland, CA 94612
october 2011