RNH College Directions Program
The College Directions Program (CDP) focuses on preparing high school juniors and seniors to navigate the college application process. This includes FREE one-on-one college guidance services, workshops and college trips.
Every year, RNH high school students look forward to the “annual overnight trip”. It is considered the highlight of the CDP.
RNH staff hope to convey to teens that choosing a college is more than just being comfortable on a school campus. The college they decide to attend should provide them with the many different services and experiences they will need to help them achieve their long term goals.
During the 2018-2019 school year, the teens will visit many different schools. So far, RNH students have visited Lehman College, New York University, Manhattanville College, Iona College, SUNY Farmingdale and University of Massachusetts. While on these college trips, the teens tour and explore the different campuses and learn what the institution will provide. This experience allows the young people to gain exposure to a college campus and gives high school seniors additional insight into what they will be experiencing once they begin their college career.
The “annual overnight trip” takes place during spring break and gives teens the opportunity to explore different schools while getting a “taste of a college experience” with their peers. This year’s participants will visit Boston, where they will tour Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston University. The teens will also participate in a Freedom Trail Historical walk in Boston, as well as, visit the USS Constitution, an active navy ship.
RNH staff believe that the combination of fun and learning enable students to become excited about future college experiences and will therefore be more willing to apply to an institution once they feel comfortable and informed.
Article contributed by: RNH Youth Development Specialist, Omar Acevedo and RNH Teen Career and College Directions Program Manager, Phoebe Downes.
Funding provided by NYS Office of Children & Family Services, NYC Department of Youth & Community Development and private philanthropy.
