First-generation students are likely to have no at-home guidance regarding college applications, specifically, knowing how to write a personal statement, describe their extracurriculars, and what kinds of schools they should be applying to. As a first-generation college bound student who has completed the grueling process of college applications, I can say I wouldn’t have been accepted by my top schools without school and outside support.
Near the end of my junior year, Ms.Bandy presented a college application support program to the senior class through the counselor’s Google classroom page, Matchlighters. The Matchlighters Scholars Program pairs students from low-income households with experienced college counselors for free, making applying to colleges easier. Matchlighters was my first step in taking advantage of Preuss’s resources for college applications. Through Matchlighters, I was able to create my college list, extracurricular and award list, and most importantly, drafts of my common application essay and personal insight questions. The common application is an application portal to thousands of schools requiring a personal statement with mainly private institutions, while PIQs are used for the UC system.
While working on my common application essay, I further utilized Preuss’s resources by asking Lacy Crawford, a volunteer for the school who edits college essays, to look over my essay multiple times. I considered her comments and suggestions, which helped shape my draft into a final submission. Outside of school, I was a part of a college readiness program beginning my freshman year, Reality Changers. In your 9th-11th grade years, it’s a program where you learn about different colleges, financial aid types, loans, scholarships, summer programs, etc. But your senior year is explicitly designated for college applications and scholarships. I received one-on-one help regarding my essays and extracurricular descriptions. I received application suggestions in person and online by working with the college editors throughout fall and winter break.
With all the support I received from Preuss and Reality Changers, I found guidance throughout my application process, and I wrote to my best capabilities. I took advantage of Preuss’s resources past my college applications to help me pay for college. The counselor’s Google Classroom is constantly being updated with new scholarship opportunities. Because of that, I’ve won over $30,000 in scholarships through my initiative to apply and take advantage of opportunities.
Overall, my advice to first-generation students is to make sure you’re taking advantage of all college-related and scholarship opportunities, especially the ones Preuss provides.
