Workshops
The workshops provide the scaffolding to our Chicago Scholars Program. During these expert-led sessions, students gain tremendous insight into the processes that lead to college access and success. To view the workshops by month click, here. A synopsis of each workshop is provided below. All scholars are required to attend these workshops as part of the Chicago Scholars Program. To request more information, contact Will Dix wdix@chicagoscholars.org
1-on-1 Counseling Workshops
The 1-on-1 Counseling workshops are a critical piece of the Chicago Scholars college access programming. During these workshops, students meet with Master high school college counselors and university admissions officers, to find a portfolio of colleges that both match and fit their academic and socioemotional needs. The counseling occurs on two separate occasions to help ensure that students are applying to these types of schools during the Onsite Admissions process. Though match is important, fit is the key.
Budgeting & Transitioning Workshop
The Budgeting & Transitioning workshop is led by ShoreBank, one of Chicago's most socially conscientious banks, and a close Chicago Scholars' community partner. The workshop revolves around financial planning, budgeting, and overall monetary decision-making during the high school-university transition.
Chicago Scholars Celebration Brunch
The Chicago Scholars Celebration Brunch is the book-end to the college access programming. Students declare the universities they are matriculating into and Mentors formally end their work. Many Mentors, however, continue to serve in an informal capacity with the students as they enter college.
Dissecting the Common Application and the Essays Workshop
Led by one of Chicago Scholars' educational consultants, the Dissecting the Common Application workshop provides a comprehensive analysis of how our students should fill out this unique college application. Students will have an opportunity to begin brainstorming for their college application essays and personal statements in preparation for the Onsite Admissions Forum. All College Consultant Mentors attend the event to support their students during this critical revising process. See what the Clsss of 2016 and their mentors had done in their workshop here.
College Power Networking
The College Power Networking workshop is a unique opportunity that enables our students to meet with Alumni from nearly 30 universities. The students participate in a "speed dating" forum that promotes efficient rotations between student and Alumni, thereby maximizing the exposure each student gets with the represented universities.
Health & Wellness Workshop
The Health & Wellness workshop is dedicated to informing our students about university social life, finding academic and social balance, STD awareness, and maintaining a nutritious diet during strenuous periods of study.
Interviewing Skills
The Interviewing Skills workshop prepares our students for the Onsite Admissions Forum. Students are presented with and engage in successful interviewing techniques.
Mentor & Parent Appreciation Night
The Mentor & Parent Appreciation Night is a way to honor the hard work and dedication of our students' families and Mentors. It provides a special forum for our students to connect with their peers' family members and to celebrate the successes had at the Onsite Admissions Forum. In short, this workshop further reinforces our community connectedness.
Mentor & Scholar Orientation Breakfast
The Mentor & Scholar Orientation Breakfast provides our students with the first opportunity to meet their cohort of College Consultant Mentors and fellow mentees.
New Scholar Orientation
The New Scholar Orientation formally launches the Chicago Scholars Program into action. Students are provided with a comprehensive program overview, get acclimated with scholar expectations, and have an opportunity to meet key Chicago Scholars staff members. It also provides the students with another opportunity to get to know each other and begins the teambuilding process as a cohort of college bound youth.
Onsite Admissions - Applications Workshop
The Onsite Admissions - Applications workshop is a critical touch point that ensure our students' applications are complete and to the highest standards. Students have access to resources--computers, printers, copiers, staff members, and a Master college counselor--that enable them to complete their applications in full and to each university's requisite standards.
Parent Orientation
The Parent Orientation parallels the New Scholar Orientation workshop. Parents and Guardians are provided with an overview of the organization, are introduced to key staff members, and gain additional insight into what is expected of their children.
Understanding Award Letters Workshop
The Understanding Award Letters workshop is another critical touch point for our students when deciding which university is the best fit. Financial Aid packages vary by university (loan type, interest, repayment processes, etc.) and create fairly substantial economic implications. It is important, therefore, that the students understand precisely what each of their award letters mean, and that they utilize this knowledge when deciding where to matriculate.
Understanding Financial Aid Workshop
The Understanding Financial Aid workshop exposes our students to the new, and oftentimes mystifying, world of Financial Aid. Chicago Scholars collaborates with LadderUP to present critical details and processes for FAFSA completion.
University Visit
The University Visit is intended to expose our students to collegiate life. During the visit, students meet with representatives from a number of academic and administrative departments to obtain in-depth information about university specifics. This visit also provides an opportunity for our students to begin writing their personal statments. The personal statements will be further re-worked during the College Application Essays workshop.