As time progresses, competition within college applications continually increase. Good grades, good extracurriculars and a good essay are all things that students are seemingly expected to accomplish in order to gain acceptance into a university of their choice. However, many students are so focused on these factors, that they seem to forget one great opportunity: pre-college programs.
Pre-college programs can be found anywhere, often offered by universities or other private institutions. They tend to take place over the summer, lasting around a week to a month, but provide students with a chance to gain experience in things they are interested in. For example, an expense-free program is the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars program (VASTS) at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA. VASTS offers selected students a chance to interact with scientists, engineers and technologists in NASA-related research. This program is a good introduction to the field for anyone interested in a career in aerospace engineering.
“It was the best week of the summer. I met such amazing people and learned a lot, it was awesome,” said senior Sofia Alexeenko.
Other than being a great introduction to various fields, pre-college programs can also provide students with information regarding the actual college application process, alongside teaching lifelong skills. For example, the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University offers many of these programs, including the Hispanic College Institute.
“During my stay, I learned about college work and the process it takes to apply to colleges,” said junior Danielle Chavez. “I learned numerous skills like, how to build a resume, how to speak to others, how to make relationships, as well as seeing the numerous scholarship opportunities they granted.”
Pre-college programs are highly beneficial and should be taken advantage of before applying to any college. The insight gained from them will take students a long way, helping them to develop skills, learn communication, and confirm interest in a school or a career they were looking to go into in the future.
