Entering a new phase of college planning

For the inaugural cohort, this summer marks the halfway point in their four-year journey toward college. 

During their first two years, scholars focused on building the academic skills needed to succeed in high school. With support from their dedicated adviser, tutors and a mentor, they strengthened study habits, time-management and organizational skills and engaged in social-emotional learning and leadership development.

During the program’s final two years, students will start more intensive college planning with a focus on college applications, financial aid and SAT preparation. They will also explore career interests and identify pathways that can help them pursue those goals. 

That work is already underway. This summer, students have devoted six hours each week to a college access course that covers the application process, helps them draw connections among their interests, potential majors and career paths, and teaches them to identify the qualities that make a college a strong fit. They are also learning how to research schools, build college lists and create resumes. 

“We’ve offered college access classes every summer, but this year we significantly expanded it,” Fernandez said. “Students are working through mock applications, learning how to write a personal essay and practicing how to speak with admissions reps at a college fair. We spent the first two years building that college readiness knowledge. Now, they’re applying it — not only in class, but also by attending office hours, managing their schedules and navigating life on campus.” 

Empowering the high school students to begin making those decisions independently — whether to attend office hours, when to plan meals in the dining halls, how to establish boundaries with roommates — is just as important to the summer program as the coursework, according to Fernandez. For many of the teens, practicing independence and connecting with other Brown Collegiate Scholars have been among the most rewarding parts of the residential program.

Classical High School student Francisco Brouillette said he has enjoyed playing card games with new friends, joining volleyball games on Wriston Quad and swimming in the pool at the Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center.

“Initially, I thought living on campus would be fairly stressful and somewhat scary, but so far it has been almost anything but that,” Brouillette said. “I have mainly enjoyed just hanging out in the dorms with other people.”

Jaisiley Calderon, a student at Providence Career and Technical Academy, said she has also embraced her newfound independence and the opportunity to spend time with friends from both the Brown Collegiate Scholars Program and Brown’s Pre-College Programs.

“I love being able to share this experience with my friends, and I feel like I’ve gotten to know all the other students and instructors better than before,” Calderon said. “What I wasn’t expecting was all the flexible time; we might have anywhere from one to four hours to do homework or spend time together. And because of all the other programs here, I’ve made friends in the most unexpected places: I became friends with two very kind girls just the other day in the laundry room.”

As campus residents, the Brown Collegiate Scholars are encouraged to take part in social and recreational activities organized by Brown’s Pre-College Programs, from the campus block party and friendship-bracelet making to do-it-yourself tie-dye t-shirts. Students can also join excursions to nearby attractions, including miniature golf and the Mystic Aquarium. 

For Calderon, those experiences have made the program about more than preparing for college; they have helped her become more confident and ready to embrace new opportunities.

“This program has pushed me to be more social and productive,” she said. “I can’t wait to see what the rest of my time here will look like.”