College Possible™ Milwaukee (formerly Admission Possible) is seeking low-income high school sophomores interested in earning a college degree for its after-school college access and success program. Accepted students will begin the program as juniors in the fall of 2012. College Possible Milwaukee currently serves more than 350 high school juniors and seniors. Historically, 98 percent of College Possible students earn admission to college and nearly 80 percent of those who enrolled have graduated from college or are persisting toward a degree.
“Because of College Possible, I know what I am looking for in a college, what I need to do to apply, how I should prepare myself. It gave me encouragement and confidence,” said Monique Alcantar, Milwaukee School of Languages and College Possible Milwaukee Class of 2012. “I really wish that College Possible could expand more, to give more students the opportunity to get to college. This is a really great thing. I can’t wait until I hear when I’m 50 that everybody’s going to be in College Possible and go to college.”
College Possible students meet twice per week in after-school sessions during their junior and senior years of high school to complete more than 320 total hours of programming. College Possible juniors prepare for the ACT and learn about the college application process, while seniors submit college and scholarship applications and secure financial aid packages. Students also attend campus visits and participate in service opportunities to give back to the community.
“With the help of our partner high schools and community supporters, we’re excited to be able to serve more students each year,” said Kelly Schaer, program manager at College Possible Milwaukee. “We’re well on our way to creating a college-going culture in Milwaukee, and College Possible is a significant part of that change.”
To be eligible to join College Possible, students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and qualify as low-income. Applicants must also have a desire to attend a four-year college and be willing to commit to after-school activities and some weekend events. Programming is free to all participating students, parents and partner high schools.
Applications from eligible sophomores are being accepted through mid-April by College Possible staff at the program’s partner high schools in Milwaukee: Alexander Hamilton High School, International Peace Academy, Milwaukee School of Languages, Morse•Marshall High School, Riverside University High School, South Division High School and St. Joan Antida High School.
Students, parents and others interested in learning more about College Possible should call College Possible Milwaukee at 414-220-9450 or email MKEInfo@CollegePossible.org.
