December 2010 Archives

Students walked in Saturday afternoon wearing their finest business attire, looking as professional as any executive. There was confidence in the air and they carried it proudly. Despite inevitable butterflies, students showcased their various interests, skills, and abilities; letting their personalities shine from one interview to the next.

College Visions' second Interview Prep Day proved to be a huge success! In November, over twenty students participated in mock admission interviews. Each student was paired with two volunteer interviewers who simulated admissions interviews, to prepare students as they set off for the real thing. College Visions students are now better equipped with the tools to overcome those temporary butterflies, highlight their accomplishments, and give insight into their academic careers.

Volunteer interviewer Paul Lowe Jr. wrote a brief reflection on his experience:

During the college process, parents often find themselves more overwhelmed than the students! But parents who have been through it know what to expect and have invaluable expertise to share. Each fall, CV taps into this community knowledge at a set of family workshops. In October and November, dozens of 12^th grade parents came to learn about admissions, financial aid, and how to support their children in college from both college student parents and College Visions staff.

During the event, 12^th grade parents had the opportunity to address their concerns and probe CV college parents, who shared their experiences and offered great firsthand information. 12^th grade parents also took part in a financial aid workshop, where they examined the process of applying for aid, the distribution of funds, and sample award letters.

During the discussion with college parents, one of the biggest fears shared by parents was coping after their child moved away from home...

A key to success in college is having a well thought out class schedule that takes into account the time and location of each class, teaching style of professors, academic discipline of classes, and number of credits. Students need to find a balance that suits their academic needs. To help College Success Program students achieve this balance, College Visions hosted a Registration Party for RIC and CCRI students. Students discussed possible classes with advisors and gave peers insight on which professors to take and what classes to avoid. With their spring planners in hand, students searched through the CCRI course catalog and selected classes to best fit their needs.