High school seniors to get College 101

April 28, 2009 | Uncategorized

COBLESKILL _ On Wednesday, 275 seniors from 11 schools in the region will gather on the SUNY Cobleskill campus in a program designed to help them make a smooth transition to college. They will be joined by representatives from more than a dozen regional colleges.

The Senior Summit is being organized by representatives from the 11 schools in the region who participate in CFES _ College For Every Student _ a national nonprofit that partners with public schools to help underserved students get to and through college.

Participating schools are Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School, Cooperstown Central School, Edmeston Central School, Laurens Central School, Milford Central School, Mount Markham Central School, Ostego Area Occupational Center, Richfield Springs Central School, Schenevus Central School, Worcester Central School, Owen D. Young Central School

At the summit, CFES Scholars will meet their peers, hear from college professionals who can give insight into the transition they are about to make, and celebrate the successes that these students have achieved in high school. Through their participation, students will begin to prepare for academic and social transitions that come with life on campus.

“As college becomes less abstract and more of a reality for Scholars, many questions remain unanswered,” said Schenevus Central School Guidance Counselor Kristen Shearer. “What is it like to have a roommate? What is the first week of school like? This summit will answer these and other questions and ease Scholars’ fears about transitioning into college.”

The day will be divided into four sessions: Student Services, such as residential life, academic advising, and the support for first-year students; Getting Involved through extracurricular activities and study abroad; Industry Opportunities, an in-depth look at college majors and career paths; and a Question and Answer session to address any remaining issues surrounding college life.

Admissions staff and other college representatives will be on hand to talk with students about the transition to college and campus life. Participating students will also have the opportunity to meet peers from other CFES Leatherstocking schools who will be attending the same college.

Participating colleges include: Fulton-Montgomery Community College, Hartwick College, Herkimer County Community College, Ithaca College, Mohawk Valley Community College, State University of New York (SUNY) at Cobleskill, SUNY Delhi, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Potsdam, and the University at Albany.

“Unfortunately many students don’t arrive at college with a clear understanding of what it takes to graduate. The Senior Summit offers our Scholars practical advice on how to make the transition into college,” said CFES President Rick Dalton. “It is my hope that four years from now we can celebrate their successful completion of college.”

Since its founding in 1991, CFES has helped thousands of underserved youth in 540 K-12 public schools nationwide take steps toward college. Over the last three years, 96 percent of CFES high school seniors – 2,500 young people, many of whom were previously destined to drop out of high school – have gone on to college. For more information, please contact Dennis Fahey, CFES Program Director, at dennisfahey@comcast.net, or the CFES office at 802-462-3170.