College Prep Coordinator

Is there anything about YES LC/College Prep that you did not expect? What is different from other programs that you have participated in?

• • "Learning more about job readiness, I wasn’t really expecting that to be a part of it but I’m glad that we did some activities that would help us about things beyond college or in college. As well as self-advocacy 'cause I think that’s a really important part of college and to learn more about it because many people don’t know how to advocate for themselves and the resources that we will have in college."

  • "I didn’t expect to hear from people who were involved with other options outside [of] college."

What are a few ways that Amanda supports you? This can be inside or outside of YES LC/College Prep.

• • "She's very flexible with time outside of college prep time, I remember having to do my scholarship essay and she was willing to help me during flexible times and I felt comfortable asking for help and she was very kind and helped me and I appreciated that."

  • "Amanda has been super supportive and like [another youth] said she was really flexible and she also checks in a lot and makes sure we know what we’re doing and where we’re at. She also gives a lot of good advice."

  • "She was also really flexible with college prep times and really helpful with college support essays."

Have you built or improved any skills while coming to YES LC/College Prep?

• • "I feel less stressed about worrying about schools, I guess before any college prep stuff I was like unaware of the process and everything and I didn’t look at colleges because I didn’t know what I wanted to do but I know more about colleges and what different colleges offer and I submitted a scholarship application which was a good exp even if I don’t get it. Overall I opened myself up to information I didn’t have before so I feel more confident and less pressured to learn all this information."

Has participating in YES LC/College Prep influenced your confidence with asking for help? If yes, how have we supported you?

• • "I’ve learned a lot about college-related stuff with yes so asking questions to other people that are more personalized and are more about getting a better understanding about something. Before and still now a little bit, since I’m a junior I should know this stuff and I like to know a lot about something, if not I won’t feel confident about that topic. So I guess I’m more confident about asking questions...and trying to get their help about something related to college."

  • "It’s also influenced my confidence with asking for help. This showed me that there are ways to get in touch with people who are well versed in whatever you’re struggling with and it’s important to try to get in touch with adults so you can learn from their experiences."

How does the support you receive at YES LC/College Prep influence how you feel about school?

• • "So my school--it’s kinda big--so our guidance counselors response time is a lot more, I can get a response from amanda like 3x faster than my guidance counselor, so I know if I have a question, I can reach out to amanda and get an answer in a day whereas my guidance counselor will take like 3 weeks."

  • "Same, talking to Amanda and conversing with her is easier whereas talking to a guidance counselor is a different dynamic. I just prefer in general to talk to Amanda."

  • "I agree, it’s a lot faster talking to Amanda than talking to my guidance counselor. it’s easier to do."

Would you say you got what you wanted out of YES LC/College Prep Programming this year? If not, why?

• • "I did get what I wanted out of the programming, in previous years we’ve always had similar workshops and it was almost kinda repetitive. It was nice to get new information and see new workshops, I was ready to do the same things and same workshops and be half present. It was nice to see and a little surprising and I’m glad we got to do them."

  • "I said yes as well, because I got to learn more about college and prepare myself for scholarships and essays and really see the different options available to me."