College Transition Program

COLLEGE TRANSITION PROGRAM

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Program Overview

The College Transition Program is a six-week summer program designed to help first-generation students successfully and confidently navigate the transition to college and beyond.

Our goal is to deepen students’ academic competencies, as well as develop their social-emotional skills, executive functioning, financial literacy, and understanding of what opportunities are available in college.

Key Features

  • Scholarship: Fellows who participate fully and complete the program will receive a $2,500 scholarship for college expenses.
  • Cohort Model: We will provide a teaming experience for students so that they can build bonds with each other to provide lasting friendships, support, and encouragement that extend beyond the summer
  • Peer Mentoring: First-generation college students will serve as “near peers” to share their experience and provide advice.
  • Co-Design: To build investment and ownership of the experience, our Fellows (our student participants) will provide feedback and input to the program.
  • Guest Speaker Series: Professionals in engineering, law, education, health careers, and others will speak about their career paths. Professionals from academic support, financial aid, student resource centers, and professors will speak to students about navigating the transition to college and accessing resources on campus.
  • Follow-up: We will continue to support students in their first year of college by providing check-ins, mentorship, as well as workshops, and timely resources.

Logistics

Currently, we are planning for an in-person program for Summer 2021. Last summer, our program was fully virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Duration: 6-week program in-person from 9:00 am-4:30 pm Monday-Friday.
  • Location: On a beautiful campus-setting in Newton that is accessible by Green Line.
  • Dates: June 28th- August 6th (tentative).
  • Costs: There is no cost to students. 
    • Lunch and transportation will be provided.
    • Students will also receive books for their coursework, a welcome kit, and a Chromebook for use during the summer.

Program Objectives

“The College Transition Program is an intensive and immersive program that aims to ensure that first-generation, low-income students have the tools, knowledge, and resources to successfully transition to their first semester of college.”

AARON CANTO, DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE GUIDANCE / BOSTON PREP CHARTER SCHOOL

Admissions Timeline

  • Apply by:

    February 22nd

  • Interview:

    Finalists will be invited to interview early March – April

  • Final Decisions:

    By end of April

  • Orientation:

    Late June

Learn More

WPS · 196 Herrick Rd. · Newton, MA · 02459 · info@wpsinstitute.org