This program is designed to motivate middle and high school students to perform well in school by intrinsically connecting their school experience to future goals. It is a 6 step program where students first take a survey to identify issues impacting their school experience. They then explore 50 colleges without pressure to choose, simply to discover new interests and ideas. For colleges of interest, students gather information on attributes and application requirements. Next, students compare their GPA to college averages and select 5-7 college choices as matches, reaches or safeties. Then, students set long and short term GPA goals and develop a high school plan for classes, activities and standardized test preparation. Finally, students focus on developing passions and seeking experiences that demonstrate these passions to future

1. Maggie Paynich, Founder Maggie@educationinspires.org www.educationinspires.org
A community-based school counseling non-profit organization
Counseling middle school students to take ownership of their high
school experience from the first day of 9th grade
Cultivate positive relationships between parents, students & schools
Education Inspires: College Exploration for Middle & High School Students
This program is designed to intrinsically motivate students to want to perform well in
school. Students who are motivated to learn and know for themselves how their school
experience directly connects with their future goals are going to be more successful in school
than their peers who do not.
Step 1: Student Survey – This allows the student to express the issues and attributes of
school and their lives that impact them the most.
Step 2: I Explored 50 Colleges – This allows the student to simply explore a large number of
colleges in 25 different states. Without pressure to choose a college or a major, just see what
other schools around the country are offering and see if any new ideas, interests, or
discoveries emerge. This can be done online or with a large collection of college brochures.
Step 3: College Information – For the colleges the student indicates interest in, he/she will
complete an information sheet to learn of the attributes and application requirements of the
college. When the information is not available in the brochure or online, the student will call
the admissions office to learn the answer.
Step 4: College Choices – Students should compare their current GPA to the average GPA
of the colleges they completed information sheets for. Pick between 5-7 (or more) college
selections in the “match”, “reach” and “safety” college categories.
Step 5: High School Plan – Looking at the required GPAs for the colleges the student is
interested in, determine a long term and short term GPA goal. Discuss strategies for
reaching the GPA goals. Develop a PSAT/SAT/ACT study and test plan. Based on the
student’s career aspirations & recommended high school classes from admissions officers,
develop a high school class schedule to meet those needs. Determine and schedule
opportunities for participating in school activities, sports, work experience & community
service.
Step 6: Develop Your Passions – Colleges want to see what you are passionate about and
how you have demonstrated that passion through all aspects of high school – grades, rigor
of classes, school activities, sports, work experience and community service. Start thinking
with this mindset and seek out opportunities to participate in activities and gain the
experience colleges want to see in their applicants.