Peer Leadership

The kick-off to the College Summit program is the College Summit workshop. One out of every 5 rising seniors at College Summit schools is selected by their teachers and counselors to attend these four-day workshops as Peer Leaders, the summer before their senior year. Counselors and teachers select those students who will best be able to change the “college-going culture” at their school after they return from their College Summit workshop for their senior year.

For each workshop, 40-50 Peer Leaders descend on a college campus, where they will eat, sleep, and attend College Summit sessions, just as if they were college students themselves. Along with workshop staff who have been trained to guide the Peer Leaders through the four day weekend, the Peer Leaders will complete many parts of the college application process:

Meeting with a college counselor – Peer Leaders meet one-on-one for an hour with a professional college counselor to pick colleges that match them academically, socially, and financially, and to develop concrete next steps to accomplish during their senior year.
Writing personal statements – Along with their trained writing coach, Peer Leaders write their personal statements with the aid of College Summit’s special writing methodology, helping them write their essays with “heartbeat”, even for those students who find writing difficult.
Filling out a college application – Workshop staff help Peer Leaders complete and polish a college application, off of which other college applications can be based during the senior year.
Financial Aid – Students learn about financial aid, the importance of planning, and the fundamentals of advocacy in “winning” at financial aid. They practice interviewing and presenting through role-play.
Overcoming obstacles – Through their Rap Sessions led by a trained youth facilitator (Rap Directors), students identify the personal challenges they will face in trying to go to college, and develop strategies to overcome them.

In addition to getting many steps ahead in the college application process, Peer Leaders find the skills and confidence that enables them to be leaders back at their schools.

If you are a rising senior at a school that is implementing the College Summit program, and you are interested in being a Peer Leader, make sure to talk to your college counselor during the spring of your junior year.