Ten of the 36 graduating seniors from WashU’s College Prep Program will enroll at WashU this autumn, receiving a cumulative total of $820,000 in financial assistance from Washington University in St. Louis. Other participants have obtained offers from the University of Pennsylvania, Louisiana State University, Saint Louis University, along with approximately 60 public and private universities, community colleges, and historically Black colleges and universities.
The College Prep Program (CPP) is an engaging four-year initiative that equips gifted first-generation, low-income high school students from the St. Louis area for college success. CPP scholars undertake college courses, prepare for the ACT, gain insight into the financial aid system, tour nearby universities and cultural sites, and, during their final summer, reside on campus. CPP personnel also assist scholars throughout their transition to college, acting as a resource regardless of where they further their studies.
On May 4, CPP scholars convened for a graduation event in Emerson Auditorium at WashU. Student speakers Oladipupo Fadeyi, a senior at Hazelwood East Senior High and a future student at WashU, along with Dani Strehle, a senior at STEAM Academy at McCluer South-Berkeley and an incoming student at the University of Pennsylvania, shared their thoughts on their cohort’s camaraderie and their development as scholars.
“Participating in open discussions enabled me to expand my perspective on the world and value our shared diversity,” remarked Fadeyi, who aspires to study high-performance car design at the McKelvey School of Engineering. “I am truly thankful for the chance to learn from and alongside you.”
“And then there were the Uno tournaments, games of hide and seek, our Vogue-offs, karaoke evenings, and spontaneous volleyball matches,” added Strehle, who intends to major in international business and international relations at Penn. “Amid our summer enjoyment, we took college courses, participated in panels, presented academic research, and engaged within a prestigious academic community. What truly made this experience remarkable was the blend of enjoyment and excellence.”
Established in 2014, CPP is currently overseen by Undergraduate Admissions. Alongside assistance from CPP staff, graduate fellows, and undergraduate program aides, each scholar is paired with a mentor from Undergraduate Admissions, who guides them through the often perplexing college search and financial aid journey. Ronné Turner, vice provost for admissions and financial aid, stated the aim is to offer scholars as many opportunities as possible.
“Often, first-generation students might not be aware of all that’s available to them or they discover it too late,” said Turner, who worked individually with Strehle, reviewing her college essay and encouraging her to apply for early decision to Penn. “Our expertise lies in admissions and financial aid. Thus, we have been able to leverage our knowledge to bolster the efforts of the CPP team and their mentors to broaden opportunities whether their ambition is WashU, the Ivy League, or another institution that’s a suitable match.”
Fadeyi shared that he realized during his final summer on campus that WashU was his ideal choice. He appreciated the concept of being near home while attending a top-tier school that draws talent from around the world.
“I could truly envision myself here,” stated Fadeyi, whose sister, Gbenisola, graduated from CPP in 2019. “Being part of the program introduced me to all the excellent offerings here — not only in engineering but across WashU. This is an environment where I can truly flourish.”
Most of the CPP scholars who will attend WashU are qualified for the WashU Pledge Scholarship, which provides all accepted students from Missouri and southern Illinois with a family annual income of $75,000 or below with a free WashU education — covering tuition, housing, meals, fees, books, and even funding for a laptop. Other participants will receive comprehensive financial aid packages through the university’s new “no-loan” financial aid policy, which substitutes need-based loans for undergraduates with scholarships and university grants.
“Our objective has consistently been to attract the most talented students regardless of their financial capabilities,” Turner stated. “It is particularly thrilling that so many of these students are part of the College Prep community.”
The post Ten College Prep Program grads secure spots at WashU with $820,000 in aid appeared first on The Source.