American University's Gap Program offers professional DC internships to students who wish to explore a career choice and build real-world skills prior to college. It's also the perfect choice for:
Students who are not satisfied with their college options and want to gain experience that will help them stand out in the pool of applicants when they reapply
Students who are spring admits to their college and are seeking an experiential learning opportunity this fall
AU Gap Program provides an opportunity to try out a career path in Washington DC through a supervised, mentored internship 24 hours per week.
Students also maintain and expand their academic skills taking a seminar course in American Politics or International Affairs. The course is no ordinary seminar--it's learning on the go as AU faculty take the students on site visits, bring in expert speakers, and show them Washington in action.
AU Gap students live as a cohort, enjoying all the services and amenities of American University as they explore DC and their interests.
Following the gap year, students enter college with a sense of direction and professional skills far beyond those of a typical first year student.
Please contact us at augap@american.edu with questions.
Greetings from the SALT Center at the University of Arizona!
The SALT Center (Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques) is widely regarded as a national leader among specialized support programs for college students with learning disabilities and attention challenges.
We have assembled the following resources to inform and aid students preparing to transition into higher education.
Designed exclusively for high school counselors and educational professionals, this 45-minute interactive Zoom event is held most Fridays and will provide you with an overview of our comprehensive academic support services and admissions process. Sign Up
A group presentation designed for prospective students and their families wanting to learn more about our program and application process. Taste of SALT features a panel of current student ambassadors and is held most Mondays and Wednesdays. Sign Up
Hear the stories of our current students and alumni. A great resource for those wanting to know if we are a good fit for them.
RESOURCES & DOCUMENTS
(Hard copies mailed out upon request)
We hope you’ve found the resources to be helpful and look forward to meeting you at an upcoming Pinch of SALT info session.
The Borgen Project is an innovative, national campaign that works with U.S. leaders to improve their response to the global poverty crisis.
We have a volunteer position, Advocate, that we hope may be of interest to students. It is a 4 hour per week role, which offers experience in advocacy, meeting with Congressional Leaders, fundraising and mobilizing. The full job description is below.
Location: The programs are based online, so can be undertaken from any location.
Start Dates: We have new programs starting every month, as such applications can be received at any time, through our website. Team members choose the start date that is most appropriate for them.
Mentoring and Supervision: Our volunteers have a designated manager who will offer an induction to the program and then support them throughout their time with us, with regular online catch-up calls, training/discussion sessions, and are a point of contact for any questions or concerns throughout the program.
Our programs are unpaid, however we are happy to work with you to be able to offer your students 12 weeks’ worth of work experience and community service hours if appropriate.
How to Apply: To apply, send your resume to borgenproject-brgn0771@applications.recruiterbox.com
Brandeis University is home to the Myra Kraft Transitional Year Program (MKTYP), a unique 1+4 year program dedicated to academic success, community building, and strong advising support for students.
I encourage students to learn more about the MKTYP and application requirements on our website.
With a world of career opportunities out there, why limit your student to only classes your school can offer? BYU Independent Study High School offers dynamic CTE courses to fit your student's needs and interests. Give them a chance to pursue their passions and excel!
Independent Study offers dozens of high school CTE courses, but here are just a few examples: Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Forensic Science, Game Design.
There are so many options to choose from. Help your student progress toward their career goals with BYU Independent Study.
Introducing BYU Independent Study KSAs!
Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes (KSA) is BYU Independent Study’s NEW innovative framework that provides a holistic approach to Independent Study coursework for high school students. These are the objectives:
Knowledge: Mastery of subject matter through integrated learning methods.
21st Century Skills: Skill competency, recognized and rewarded through digital badging.
Character Attributes: Development of emotional resilience and attributes crucial for success.
Get to know the KSA courses. These represent a major advancement and upgrade in the BYU Independent Study offerings. You will like what you see.
Our new KSA Marketing course offers your talent-rich student with:
Foundational Knowledge: Through engaging case studies, discover Marketing’s global impact, its core functions, and learn about various career roles.
Career-Ready Skills: Gain expertise in market analysis, digital ad design, promotional planning, and sales pitches through project-based learning.
Attribute of Resilience: Stanford’s own Carol Dweck’s research finds when we help students build resilience, they view challenges as opportunities. Our new approach to curriculum design helps students build resilience through their learning!
We have an exciting announcement to share with you. Columbia Business School is now offering our world-class learning resources to those who are interested in pursuing a future career in today’s most sought-after industries.
Our programs focus on some of the hottest industries and explore career paths across disciplines. Currently, students can choose from The Business of Luxury or The Business of Sports and we plan to develop more programs in the future.
Our online programs offer these advantages:
Dynamic online learning: Lessons are delivered through engaging videos and interactive activities
Renowned faculty: Programs are designed by Columbia Business School faculty and feature industry experts
Flexible learning: Students can study anywhere, anytime, at their own pace
Mentorship: Access to mentors who guide their learning experience and help them brainstorm assignments
Certificate of participation: Students earn this recognition from Columbia Business School when they successfully complete a program.
Visit Columbia Business School’s enrichment program website to review our offerings.
We know there are thousands of high school students who could be awesome at cybersecurity. How do we know? CyberStart has been proven to find exceptionally talented students who have pivoted to industry without having studied or previously known they were interested in the subject area.
CyberStart America helps uncover, educate and funnel students with a talent for this industry into career paths via life-changing scholarship opportunities.
Why CyberStart America?
It is completely free for all high school students in the US
No experience needed from you or your students to get started - everything students need they learn in the game!
Learning becomes fun with real-world ethical hacking challenges in the form of a game.
Students new to the field with a strong aptitude, as well as students with existing interest in the field, can use the platform to train and qualify for the National Cyber Scholarship program, allowing them to compete for life-changing college scholarship opportunities!
Have you been put off joining CyberStart America without access to a Virtual Machine?
The CyberStart Virtual Machine is now available online!
Find out how to access the cloud based VM!
We are pleased to present an exciting opportunity on Saturday, Nov. 9, for students who are interested in learning more about engineering. Parent programming will also be offered.
Explore Engineering is a FREE event where your students can learn about a career in engineering and what makes a University of Dayton engineering degree unique. They’ll participate in hands-on activities in our labs, meet our faculty and current students, and tour our campus and engineering facilities.
In addition, the Women Engineering Program and the Multi-Ethnic Engineers Program are hosting WEP/MEP Connect — a special lunch event where your students will learn how UD students engage in these programs.
This WEP/MEP Connect session is open to all who are interested in learning how they could engage in these programs as UD students. We welcome students of all backgrounds and experiences to be part of our community.
Explore Engineering Schedule
Saturday, Nov. 9
Explore Engineering
11 a.m.: Optional campus tour
Noon: Lunch on your own
1 to 5 p.m.: Explore Engineering program
Explore Engineering + WEP/MEP Connect
10:15 a.m.: Optional campus tour
11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.: WEP/MEP Connect lunch
1 to 5 p.m.: Explore Engineering program
Space is limited for these events, and registration is required. Registration will close on Friday, Nov. 1, or when full. Please encourage your students to register today to secure their spots!
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact us at 937-229-3296 or udengineering@udayton.edu.
College decision day is right around the corner, and we know there are a lot of students who are still figuring out their next step.
A gap year is a great option for students who want real-world experience before college, need a break from school to remember their love of learning, or aren't interested in the traditional path.
We want to help you be prepared to answer questions and be up-to-date about gap year options.
The best way to connect with us is to join us for a free virtual info session any Thursday, or request a copy of our brochure here.
Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn & Stanford
Join Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn, and Stanford to learn more about their institutions, selective admissions, and a recommendation letter workshop this fall.
Live Virtual Experiences - Our live interactive virtual workshops challenge students to explore their creativity while introducing them to the terminology, techniques, and technology common in today's entertainment media industries.
Preview Our Live Workshops
Music Creation Virtual Workshop
Stop Motion Animation Virtual Workshop
The Guided Pathway Support Program (GPS) is a FREE, virtual college access program specifically designed for African American rising high school juniors and seniors.
GPS offers year-round, direct access to expert resources and personalized support, ensuring that students have the tools they need to navigate the admissions and scholarship search process with confidence.
Individual and group college counseling
Free test prep services through the Princeton Review
Direct college and scholarship application support including essay and activities list reviews, mock interviews, and strategy sessions
Help navigating the financial aid process, including FAFSA and CSS Profile support
Information about scholarship, internship, academic support, and leadership development programs
GPS does not have an application deadline and serves students virtually year-round. There are no GPA, test scores, income, or geography requirements to participate in our program.
Students and parents can register today at www.ronbrown.org/gps/
For the first time ever, the Kinney Center for Autism at Saint Joseph's University is expanding our college support program to virtually serve individuals with autism at campuses throughout the country. Over the past decade ASPIRE students have defied national college completion rates, boasting an 84% success rate.
Our proven model for college support includes a blend of case management, skills courses, peer mentorship, & faculty trainings facilitated by our team of Licensed Social Workers and Clinical Counselors. All of these services are now being offered remotely. Learn more
With the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, more students than ever are opting to take a gap year. The Kinney Center is offering the opportunity for individuals on the spectrum to build confidence and real world experience by taking 1-2 online courses at Saint Joseph's University, while being supported by our team of experts. Learn more
The Kinney Center's College Bound Retreat is an online interactive seminar that prepares students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who are planning to enroll in postsecondary education after graduation. Individuals with ASD can achieve great collegiate success, and the College Bound Retreat program provides specialized support to kick-start the attainment of their educational goals. Learn more
With the end of the school year almost here, you may be a student who is looking to take a Gap Year. If you know are in this boat (pun intended) or a senior that still hasn’t figured out what you want to do, please check out the attached flyer. We’ve had several students over the past few years take that Gap Year with us. It gives them the educational break while learning new and exciting skills and having fun before they hit the grind of a traditional college. We are also members of The Gap Year Association. Reach out with any questions that you may have.
Steve Parello
Admissions
The Landing School of Boatbuilding & Design
286 River Rd
Arundel ME 04046
207-810-2288
sparello@landingschool.edu
The Bridge Experience is an unmatched program for students who want additional support as they develop stronger executive function skills. With a focus on boosting learning strategies, academic skills, and self-reflection, students come here to improve their academic approach to college.
Success • Transition • Awareness • Resiliency • Transformation
College START is a fully online, part-time program for students who need key resources and support with academics and social skills, but in an online setting, as they transition to, or even return to, college.
Request Information Apply Now Cost of Attendance
Experience a unique PG/Gap Year track tailored for recent high school graduates that brings confidence and maturity.
In partnership with TEL Education, the College of Mt. St. Vincent Dual Credit Academy is offering dual credit courses that are all-inclusive, self-paced, and greatly enhance a student's college readiness. But there's more! The DCA is offering services no other dual credit program is offering!
1. No GPA, ACT, or SAT requirement. 9th and 10th graders can participate.
2. 24-hour or less student admission. 48-hour or less student enrollment.
3. 16-week semesters or flexible on-demand term options.
4. No course minimums or course maximums.
5. Weekly virtual office hours with the professor.
6. 48-hour or less grading policy on all written assignments.
7. Student coach assigned to track, mentor, and facilitate tutoring with the student.
8. Site manager access that gives counselors access to real-time grades and student progress
9. Account Manager assigned to the high school counselor in charge of dual credit. Account Managers communicate student progress on average 5-6 times a semester. Also, help with any other support needs.
10. A dual credit growth professional will be assigned to high schools to help counselors increase dual credit awareness and enrollment. Provide collateral, webinars, etc to high school students and parents. We are also providing the same materials to 8th-grade parents and students so middle school students enter high school prepared to take courses and understand the benefits of dual credit.
Recognizing a growing interest among students to earn a full bachelor’s degree outside the United States, the NACAC's Guide to International University Admission is just what you need if you are a student who wants to study internationally.
The guide was developed with the guidance of more than 20 NACAC members and foreign government representatives with experience counseling students seeking international study. It's fully updated, with in-depth information on admission requirements and more for colleges and universities in 13 countries.
For the best reading experience, you can now view a digital version of the guide via PageRaft. Responsive and scrollable, this view adapts to any device and makes it easy to read, share, and search.
Our free, virtual Business Bootcamp for High School Students offers college-level workshops taught by our expert faculty. Students will get critical training to add to their résumés and incorporate into both their academic and professional lives as they seek entry to college and the business world. They can also earn cash prizes in our essay writing content!
New York Tech Advance is program allows high school students to enroll in university-approved high school courses that, upon completion, award New York Tech college credit. These courses, in addition to counting toward high school graduation, provide students with a head start on their college education at a steeply discounted rate.
Women in high school and college who have an interest in science, medicine or engineering are now invited to register for a session of the Perry Virtual Experience.
A Perry Outreach Program is a one-day career exploration for young women in high school who are interested in careers in orthopaedic surgery, engineering or both.
A Perry Initiative Medical Student Outreach Program is a hands-on introduction to the field of Orthopaedic Surgery for women in medical school.
Orthopaedics In Action is a unique, hands-on curriculum for middle and high school STEM classrooms that features real-world challenges from orthopaedic surgery and biomedical engineering.
For more information and to join the Perry Initiative network, please visit our website.
Place Corps is an educational institute based in the Hudson Valley that supports our next generations to build radical solutions for sustainable, joyful livelihoods for all.
Founded on the principle that change begins with a calling to know, love, and serve ourselves, our communities, and our places, we offer place-specific, community-based, transformational learning.
We do this through:
We uplift truth, beauty, and goodness in our approach to work guided by our values.
RIT Tiger STRIPES is our new experiential learning platform that empowers high school students to explore their potential, master 21st-century skills, and actively shape their futures.
Through this free and completely virtual experience, students can:
Shape their future, one skill at a time: Gain valuable insights through career skill-building programs, power skills courses, events, and competitions in topics like AI, Careers in Tech, Design Thinking, Finance, and so much more.
Showcase their growth: Earn digital badges to highlight their achievements and enhance their resume.
Connect globally: Collaborate with peers from around the world, expanding their perspective and network.
Between advancing technology and surging entrepreneurship, the way the world does business is changing faster than ever before.
Equip your students to get down to business (or launch their own!) with Outlier by Savvas dual enrollment: real college courses worth actual college credit from the University of Pittsburgh, a top 50 school!
College Business Courses
Intro to Business Professional Communication Intro to Microeconomics Intro to Financial Accounting
Stony Brook's Simons STEM Scholars Program provides high-achieving, under-represented students interested in STEM the ability to pursue advanced degrees and endless opportunities.
Stony Brook is a national leader in STEM education. The Stony Brook Simon's STEM Scholars program offers its students opportunities including:
Fully-funded educational costs
Dedicated on-campus immersive community housing
Real-world internship and research opportunities
A fully-funded summer program for first-year students before classes begin
Personalized academic and career advising
Summer paid research opportunities
Application support and preparation for graduate school
We're looking for your talented students to apply.
Webinar Week for 9th-11th grade students!
We had over 800 students join us for the 4 webinars!
We've had a number of requests to share the video recordings, so we've made a page for students to view the information that was presented.
We look forward to hosting another week of webinars on these topics (and more!) this summer.
Link To Videos of Geneseo Webinar Week
No matter where students are in the college process, you'll definitely want to mark your calendars to attend our upcoming virtual sample classes! Taught by Geneseo professors, we are thrilled to have students join us to learn, participate, and see why there is no place like here!
We will be updating the list of classes throughout the spring semester, so please bookmark the page and keep checking back! To register for our current offerings, students can visit: https://www.geneseo.edu/admissions/sample-classes-prospective-students
Every year the iSchool visits 5 different innovative ecosystems around the world. We bring a select cohort of students to join us at each visit, where they discover what it's like to live and work in each city.
Students typically visit between 20 and 25 technology companies over the course of the 5-day trip, and have a chance to interact with alumni and do a bit of sightseeing along the way. The exact makeup of the trip visits varies from year to year, and adapts based on input from participating students.
Immersion experiences encourage students to understand what they want in employment, distinguish what they like in a city, and learn what recruiters are looking for in potential team members. These trips provide a unique opportunity for students to connect with Syracuse University alumni within these ecosystems.
This program is open to students from all majors, all schools and colleges, and all degree programs. Undergraduate and graduate students must take these trips as a credit-bearing academic course.
To learn more about immersion experience and various dates offered, visit https://ischool.syr.edu.
Are you interested in international gap-years or semesters?
Tufts is proud to offer two First-Year Global Programs that could be great experiences. Each program offers the opportunity to live and work overseas with a cohort of other Tufts students while supporting a community organization, living with a local host family, and discovering the broader world.
We ask you to consider one of our two programs:
A First-Year Fall Semester Abroad: The Tufts Civic Semester
Civic Semester participants take classes together on the Tufts campus in August before departing for one of two service locations where they study the local language and work part-time at a community organization.
Students return to campus for their Spring term with a full semester of academic credit, allowing them to graduate in four years.
Civic Semester is a student’s first semester of college, and tuition and fees cover all expenses, including the option to utilize financial aid awards.
A Gap Year Before Tufts: The Tufts 1+4 Bridge Year Program
Tufts 1+4 is a year of full-time international work before students begin their four years of study on campus.
In one of four countries across the globe, students make a difference on an issue they care about, have time to explore new interests, and return with a deeper sense of self and a broader perspective on the world.
The Tufts 1+4 program offers full financial support for any student who is admitted to the program and qualifies for Tufts financial aid at any level.
If you are interested in applying, you can do so on the Tufts applicant portal when you submit your Tufts application or at any time once you have been accepted to the University.
Please feel free to contact firstyearglobal@tufts.edu with any questions about these exciting opportunities!
Fall into inspiration this season.
The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts is excited to offer a full portfolio of virtual continuing education courses this fall semester.
With most courses open to high school students over the age of 15, we invite you to check out these opportunities! Advance your art beyond the limits of your high school art class, learn from professional artists, and add new skills and experiences to your resume; all from the comfort of home.
Browse Virtual Art Classes Open to High School Students by clicking here.
Keep your art skills fresh, no matter what this fall may bring!
We are writing to introduce you to the Lexicon Ambassadors Scholarship Program. Our program provides high school students with the opportunity to participate in virtual international volunteer projects, complete online instructor-led leadership development training based on the United Nations G17, and participate in SAT prep & tutoring. We offer educational support through weekly live SAT Zoom lectures. The one-year program offers 2-3 hours of live SAT lectures per week. All SAT prep is based on the College Board’s new digital SAT exam. Students also have access to one-on-one tutoring within our online classrooms. The program is all inclusive and we do not charge for tutoring. Our mission is to ensure that all students are well-prepared for their academic journeys, and we realize the tremendous financial burden that private tutoring can pose for families. Upon completing the program, students will receive a personalized letter of evaluation that can be used in their college and scholarship applications. The only fee that we charge students who are given a scholarship is a once-time $79 registration fee which covers a small portion of our operational cost for the year.
Our program is centered around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and was developed by a mentor, Ashan Perera, who received the UN SDGs Action Award in 2018. Ashan has extensive experience working on numerous UN projects and events, providing participants with a unique perspective on global issues.
Our Program
The Lexicon Ambassadors Program is an online experiential learning initiative designed to equip high school students with the critical skills needed to excel as leaders both in and outside of the classroom. Our program is facilitated by U.S.-based faculty mentors and international experts in various fields. It offers intensive online leadership training and opportunities to engage in virtual international volunteer programs, enabling students to gain practical experience while making a positive impact on the world. We are committed to holistic development, fostering both personal and academic growth while empowering students to effect meaningful change. Our comprehensive program includes the following components:
Leadership Training for Global Citizenship aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (mandatory)
The world is changing fast, and past experiences have demonstrated that youth education needs to adapt. School plays an important role in nurturing academic education and additionally, students still need leadership development training to prepare them for the challenges they will face in the world, and the latter is our strength. Our online global citizen leadership program is led by an international expert who leads an initiative that is one of the UN SDGs-recognized programs. Students will learn how they can effect change in global affairs, contribute to sustainable development goals, and lead in and outside of school. In order to successfully complete the program, it is mandatory to complete the Leadership Training plus participate in one of the Virtual Volunteer Tracks for at least 30 hours. Hours are logged by through
Virtual International Volunteer Tracks
The Lexicon Ambassadors Program offers students the opportunity to make a difference by participating in virtual international volunteer projects in order to demonstrate their unique skills, passions, and valuable contribution to society. Students enrolled in our program will work directly with international mentors based in the country in which each project is being implemented, tackling real-world problems with the goal of making a meaningful difference in the world. The following volunteer tracks are currently available for enrollment:
- South Africa Literacy Project (virtual)
Students will collaborate remotely with a team led by a seasoned U.S. senior instructional designer and an international mentor based in South Africa to develop practical solutions for enhancing child literacy in South Africa.
- South Asia Cancer Surveillance Project (virtual)
Students work with a U.S. based hematologist and oncologist to improve the detection of cancer and reduce disease progression in underserved areas. The program includes regular live Zoom discussions covering relevant public health issues in cancer surveillance. The goal of this program is to develop public health initiatives that are appropriate for the regions in which issues are identified. This program is designed for students who aspire to the medical or public health professional fields.
- Local Activist Track
Students wishing to work within their local community on original projects will have the opportunity to work with leadership mentors to develop and execute their own projects.
Live SAT Tutoring via Zoom
Recognizing the significance of the SAT in college applications, we offer all program participants unlimited comprehensive live SAT Zoom lectures. This is included as a part of the program and does not cost any additional fees. Students can work with tutors to meet their individual SAT needs and access a variety of SAT prep materials, including practice questions and flashcards. We are the only program to offer this level of academic support to the leadership students. We make use of both online asynchronous courses and live lectures. All content is recorded and posted within the online classrooms to ensure every student can have full advantage of the lectures.
Academic Support for College and Scholarship Applications
Admission to college is highly competitive, and we provide all program participants with personalized academic advising services which they may not otherwise have access to. Our team of expert advisors will assist students in reviewing their college and scholarship applications, particularly focusing on the application essay or personal statement, helping students showcase their unique qualities and stand out to admission committees.
Admissions to the Lexicon Ambassadors Program are ongoing. We offer full scholarships to cover program costs (excluding the $79 registration fee) and we encourage early applications.
Apply Today: https://lexiconambassadors.com
For more information, please visit our website at https://lexiconambassadors.com
Downloadable PDF flier: https://lexiconambassadors.com/flier2/
GET INTO A GREAT COLLEGE • TRAVEL THE WORLD • GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS -- START COLLEGE SAFELY & AFFORDABLY AND GET INTO YOUR DREAM SCHOOL
With so many students opting to put their college plans on hold or finishing their high school careers online, Verto realized that what students need right now is clarity. Transparency. Honesty. Reliability. And affordability. Fortunately, we found a creative solution to help students earn college credit, save money on tuition, and move forward with their college plans - on their terms.
Simply put, at Verto, students know what the future holds and are given personalized guidance to get there. The road to college success may have a few more turns than before, but the Verto roadmap helps students navigate to the finish line.
We'd love to meet you! Feel free to schedule a quick meeting with us anytime that works best for you.
Schedule with Josh Sadagurksy (Pacific & Mountain Time)
Schedule with Layni Pistone (Central & Eastern Time)
You can also click here for more information or to apply.
We’re excited to be hosting Amplify Your Voice, Wellesley’s virtual leadership, advocacy, and access series, throughout the coming months! This fall, Amplify Your Voice will feature sessions across four dates: September 27, October 18, October 25, November 8.
Amplify Your Voice’s curated events are tailored to prospective first-year students, including both high school juniors and seniors, as well as potential transfer students. At its core, this program is an opportunity to explore leadership in its many forms. Our featured sessions focus on amplifying student voices, empowering change, and redefining leadership with help from faculty, current Wellesley students, and Wellesley alums. We’ll also offer guidance and advice about students owning their voices and their stories throughout the admission and financial aid process. Students may register for any combination of Amplify Your Voice events, but we encourage them to join us across multiple events for a broad view of leadership in collaboration and what it means to our students and graduates to be leaders during and after their time at Wellesley.
As the world looks to younger generations for bold and effective action, we hope your students will register to join us. We encourage you to share Amplify Your Voice with students who you think would benefit from the experience and add to the conversation, especially those who would be excited about a women’s college with an educational experience rooted in access, empowerment, and impact.
If you have questions about Amplify Your Voice, please email schoolcounselor@wellesley.edu.
Wells offers convenient, online college readiness coursework. Do you have students who could benefit from an additional focus on things like stress management, grammar, writing, or interpersonal communication? We have instructor-led and self-paced options to help students gain more confidence before starting college.