Ursinus College Campus

A vibrant and enthusiastic group of mentees explored the world of College and, to their amazement, discovered opportunities that are within their reach.

This trip was the culmination of the first year of the FWA College preparation program offered to FWA mentees at Murry Bergraum High School for Business. This program targets Juniors and is yearlong. It began with an introduction to college essay writing and to the diversity goals of colleges. At its core are weekly SAT preparation sessions and monthly SAT practice tests led by VERITAS, a private test preparation company.

One of the Science Labs at Ursinus College

Financed by the FWA, this trip was led by Danille Jager, teacher and FWA liaison at Murry Bergtraum High School for Business. FWA Mentoring Committee Co-chairs Beth Dorfman and Francoise Jeanpierre accompanied the group, travelling by yellow school bus to Pennsylvania. We visited four colleges selected for their interest in diversity and their willingness to welcome us with a private tour. We started with Ursinus College and Franklin & Marshall College on Friday April 27, 2012, stayed overnight in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at the Marriott, and drove to Dickinson College and Lafayette College on Saturday April 28th.

Lafayette College Tour

Each college gave us an overview of their mission, goals, and program offerings. Tour guides were students who drew from their recent experience to answer the mentees' questions with humor and truthfulness. We visited classrooms, libraries, media labs, and dormitories, and walked across the beautiful campuses.

Mentees agreed unanimously that this college trip was "great."

India Summers came to the realization that "I have to step up my game so I can compete with all the other students that are trying to get to the same school."

Catherine Araujo said that this college trip "opened my eyes to new opportunities" and felt a new bond with the other mentees.

For Rosaly Salcedo, the trip clarified what she was looking for in a college. And her experience was so real that she "saw herself working in the library studying for a test and studying abroad."

Jady Sanchez reflected that "I have to grow up at some point and I cannot give up a chance to go out of state just because I'm scared of being far away from my parents."

Ashley Caceres remarked "the best part of the trip was having more time with Beth, Francoise and Mrs. Jager." She was referring to the multiple discussions we had in the yellow bus evaluating and clarifying what we heard from the tour guides.

And Shania Forrester testified that the Marriott was "the best sleep ever."

We all had fun and learned a great deal in two action packed days.

The mentees bonding at the Marriott