LaChel House, a peer leader from South Charleston High School, writes about her workshop experience in an article for the Charleston Gazette’s Flipside section.

“College Summit is an experience that can’t be duplicated. I encourage every junior to look into it and consider going.”

CHARLESTON, W.Va.—In my nearly 17 years, I’ve never experienced anything like College Summit.

I attended it at Marshall University in early July, and I must admit that when I arrived on Thursday I wanted to call my mother to come pick me up. In the end, though, this was truly a life changing experience.

College Summit, according to its website (collegesummit.org), is a national nonprofit organization that helps high schools raise their college enrollment rates by building college-going culture. During my three and a half days there, I did things like learn about financial aid and compose my personal statement.

As soon as I arrived, my fellow peer leaders and I immediately got to know each other. The alumni made us form groups and socialize. We also picked one person we didn’t know and introduced him or her to the group.

That day gave us the opportunity to become comfortable with the alumni and our instructor. We stayed in one room nearly all day and played games that had to do with different aspects of applying for college as well as once you’re accepted. My favorite was creating your own college, where we were split into groups and came up with our own college, complete with tuition and facts about it.

After dinner, we had our first of three rap sessions. These are open discussions where students tell such things as their greatest achievement and biggest obstacle they’ve overcome.

The next two days were mainly dedicated to the development of our personal statements. We met our writing coach and divided into small groups to work.

The writing groups were quite intense. Students could openly share problems they have faced in their lives and how those have molded them into the person they are.

This is the most amazing thing about College Summit. In just three and a half days, you become extremely close with the strangers you met when you arrived.

Aside from our personal statements, we tackled subjects like how to receive scholarships, grants and student loans. We also got the opportunity to ask our alumni leaders questions about their college lives as well as fill out a college application for practice.

You also have college coaching time at College Summit where an advisor helps you sort through colleges that specialize in your major. It’s extremely helpful.

In addition to our work, there was also a banquet and a dance. At the banquet, your writing coach would read a passage out of your personal statement to share with the rest of your peer leaders.

On our final day, we put the finishing touches on our personal statements and attended the closing circle, which was priceless. My fellow peer leaders and I had become extremely close in those three and a half days; the realization that we were leaving took a toll on everyone. Additionally, our director had us look our leaders and helpers in the eyes and thank one another in silence. I’ve never cried that much in public.

College Summit is an experience that can’t be duplicated. I encourage every junior to look into it and consider going. You gain many new friends as well as useful knowledge before heading into senior year.
Being able to call myself a peer leader is one thing, but being welcomed into a family of complete strangers is another. I’m beyond elated in my choice to attend College Summit. I’m even considering going back in two years as an alumnus.