Endy Huynh, NUR ’27, Atlanta, GA
In the Summer of 2024, I had the privilege of working with Take on College, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing accessible mentoring services to first-generation and low-income high school rising Seniors applying to college through workshops and one-on-one mentorship. As a Pod Leader in the Summer Fellowship Program (SFP), I offered dedicated mentorship and guidance to students navigating the often overwhelming college application and career prep process. My role involved not just providing advice but also fostering a sense of confidence and clarity as they tackled each milestone, from crafting personalized essays to making informed decisions about their future “best-fit” higher education institutions. My approach to being a Pod Leader was holistic; my students and I went beyond just the mechanics of writing. I aimed to help them craft applications that truly reflected their individuality and high-achieving potential in the best possible light to the admissions committees.
On my first day at SFP, I met bright and enthusiastic students who studied hard, engaged within their communities, and were the first in their families to aspire to attend college. During our workshop on creating a college list, Jane seemed uncertain about where to start. She had heard of prestigious institutions like Harvard and Yale but didn’t believe they were within her reach due to her family’s financial situation.
As we discussed the different types of institutions—“Ivy-League Institutions,” “Need-Based Schools,” and “Liberal Arts Colleges”—I noticed that Jane was particularly drawn to the idea of a small, supportive environment, which led us to explore Liberal Arts Colleges. However, she was hesitant to consider private institutions, thinking they were too expensive for her expected family contributions.
I took this opportunity to delve deeper into her concerns and aspirations. We talked about “Need-Based Schools,” where financial aid is awarded based on a student’s financial need rather than academic merit. Additionally, our workshops covered an understanding of paying for college through financial aid and scholarships, making top-tier education an attainable goal for low-income students.
To empower Jane and my other students, I encouraged them to think critically about what they want from their future college experiences and to aim high — the sky’s the limit. Consequently, by the end of the session, Jane’s college list had transformed. It now included a mix of California State University Schools, well-regarded Liberal Arts Colleges, and 100% Need-Based Schools. At Take on College, we encourage our students to look at schools that match their academic interests and personal values, while focusing on institutions that offer strong support systems for first-generation college students like the University of Pennsylvania. Despite the SFP being an 8-week summer program, the students approached each SFP session with eagerness, engagement, and a genuine desire to learn, reflecting a deep commitment to their futures.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2024 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here
