Our Student Support Grant Experience
Christine Shaughnessy, MEd
School Counselor Daw-Harr, Department Chair
Severna Park High School (MD)
Armed with all of the tools necessary to conquer a college
fair, 28 Severna Park High School juniors and seniors embarked on a trip to
Baltimore, for the Fall 2015 NACAC College Fair. The pre-identified group was comprised of
African American and FARMS students. The Likert scale indicated a good sense of
what schools they would like to apply to, but very little understanding of the
process, ways to prepare, how to choose, and they confessed that they had not
researched. After determining that these two student
populations were sometimes underprepared to take on the college application process
at SPHS, the day was designed to provide students with the knowledge, and
confidence to take next steps in selecting a college.
Students met in the early morning for breakfast, data
collection, background information, and guidelines for the day. They completed a pre-test to assess the
comfort level and knowledge of the college admissions world. During our morning workshop, we covered the
basics. Research would be
our main focus for the day, but they would also learn what type of
college they might be interested in and how to identify
those factors that are most important.
Students reviewed the steps of the admissions process and
were given a master list of participating schools. From there, they designed their own list of
eight schools they were to visit with that day.
They were feeling prepared and were excited to head out.
Upon our arrival, we saw hundreds of eager students waiting for the doors to open. And, at the strike of 10 am, they rushed off, with maps in hand. They were on their own! The two hours went quickly and we met for our lunch and debrief. The students were elated on the return ride to school. Conversations about academics, applications, and potential schools were floating through the air.
Upon our arrival, we saw hundreds of eager students waiting for the doors to open. And, at the strike of 10 am, they rushed off, with maps in hand. They were on their own! The two hours went quickly and we met for our lunch and debrief. The students were elated on the return ride to school. Conversations about academics, applications, and potential schools were floating through the air.
When they
returned to school, they took their post-test and the results were fantastic. Cumulatively, the students increased their
knowledge base and comfort level by 77%.
The largest gains were in “I know where I want to apply.” In the future however, improvements would
need to include, “I know what to do to prepare.” Meeting with this targeted group will need to start
much earlier.
Thank you so much to PCACAC and the SSG. Our students were very appreciative!
About Student Support Grant (SSG):
PCACAC recognizes that members may not always have the financial resources to implement student programming. To address this need, in spring 2013 PCACAC began offering the Student Support Grant (SSG) to help underwrite worthwhile initiatives that directly benefit students in the college transition process.
PCACAC members may apply by early March each year for a Student Support Grant to help fund their own student projects. They may also wish to nominate a community member whose volunteer work nurtures college readiness. Successful SSG applicants will propose events directly benefiting students, such as trips to college campuses, money for student college counseling or financial aid workshops, and college programs to host prospective student groups. New and creative ideas are welcome!
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