Columbia Heights, Minnesota
By Adam Saputra, iLander Staff Reporter
Sophomores: Don’t read this!
Did that get your attention? Admission Possible (AP), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping promising, low-income young people prepare for and earn admission to college, uses reverse psychology to get students attention.
Heights Admission Possible Coach Meaghan Foster has been working hard to get people in the program as soon as possible. The sophomores who signed up during lunch and were recommended by teachers have been called, interviewed and have turned in their applications to Foster.
AP was formed in the belief that many low-income high school students lacked the resources to compete effectively for admission to colleges and universities. In addition, colleges and universities are very interested in admitting students from low-income backgrounds, but have difficulty identifying and attracting them.
There are four primary services AP offers: 1) ACT and SAT test preparation; (2) Intensive guidance in preparing college applications; (3) Help in obtaining financial aid; and (4) Guidance in transition to college.
AP has three criteria that students must meet to be on the team:
- 2.0 G.P.A. or higher;
- Interested in going to college; and
- Their family has to earn below $55,000 a year.
AP has been in Columbia Heights since 2008.
At this point, 47 sophomores have started their applications, 30 have been interviewed and 58 have been referred from teachers, Foster said, with a goal of 60 kids to sign up by next year.
If you are interested in AP, talk to the coaches in the Junior Hallway in Room 217.
The reason for the criteria, Foster said, is the guidelines required to issue the grant, which is provided by AmeriCorps. A nonprofit organization, they help the students to prepare for the ACT and the SAT test; help students to get into college by financial aid and guide the students to prepare their college application.
AP has grown to 18 schools in the metro area.
Photo: From left to right: Omar, a student who participates in Admission Possible, and Heights Admission Possible Coach Meaghan Foster look over various testing preparation books. Photo by Adam Saputra.
Check out an Admission Possible video in the gallery!