College Summit is unique in how we train influential students to strengthen the college-going culture in their school. With College Summit’s support, teachers select the most influential students in their rising senior class to attend a College Summit Workshop.

Who are these students? You know them. While seldom the academic “superstars,” they are the young people who are “better than their numbers” and often lead by example and have the credibility and charisma to inspire other students.

These rising seniors have the unique opportunity to serve as a model for their peers by showing that they are indeed “college material.” At the Workshop, these influential students become experts on the college admissions process, gain confidence in their skills, learn to advocate for themselves and leave prepared to enroll in college. Once these students return to school for their senior year, they return empowered as “Peer Leaders” and are ready to support their classmates in transitioning from high school to higher education.

Peer Leaders support the college-going culture in their schools in many different ways. While all support their classmates in planning for college, some are also invited by their schools to speak with students in younger grades. Other schools invite 'Peer Leaders' to speak about their experience to parents and teachers. whichever way your school decides to leverage your Peer Leaders, the result is the same: other students look at these students as role models and follow them on the path to higher education.