The document summarizes several workshops and events hosted by KIPP Through College to help students and families with the college application process. The first workshop focused on the true costs of attending different types of colleges. Students then attended a bootcamp series on writing compelling personal statements and building smart college wish lists. Individual application help was also provided during dedicated office hours. Feedback from students showed the events helped them better understand the application process and feel more prepared and confident.

1. KIPP Through College Programming Highlights
Parent Financial Empowerment Workshop #1
The True Cost of College
Wednesday, October 14, 2015 6:00­7:00pm Attendance: 20
In partnership with the California
Coastal Credit Union, the KIPP
Through College program hosted its
first parent financial empowerment
workshop this school year. Over twenty
KIPP Adelante parents and families
attended workshop series that focused
on the true cost of college. Parents and
families learned about the cost of attendance for
the California State University (CSU), the
University of California (UC), private schools and
California community colleges. The workshop
focused on identifying 3­5 hidden costs of college
and outlined the advantages of saving for
college. Families also had the option of opening a
savings account.

2. KIPP Through College Programming Highlights
College Applications Bootcamp Workshop #1
How to Write Compelling Personal Statements
Thursday, October 1st, 2015 5:00­7:00pm Attendance: 22
As a jump start into the college application process,
KIPP Through College hosted its first College Apps
Bootcamp that focused on the importance of the
personal statement and allowed students to begin
on their first drafts. Specifically, students
brainstormed defining moments in their life that
could be expanded on through the UC personal
statement prompts 1 and 2. Through this
brainstorming session, students were able
to reflect on moments in their life that have
shaped their personality, character,
dreams and aspirations. Over 20 students
began their prompts or received personal
feedback on statements they had already
began. A feedback survey showed that,
after attending this workshop, 93% felt
they had a better sense of what a personal
statement was, 88% felt more confident
writing a personal statement, and 93% felt
this was a useful for them.

3. KIPP Through College Programming Highlights
College Applications Bootcamp Workshop #2
Building Your Wishlists and Starting Apps
Thursday, October 8th, 2015 5:00­7:00pm Attendance: 14
The second workshop of the College Apps Bootcamp
focused on the importance of creating a smart wishlist
and defined the types of colleges that students are
looking at as part of the process. Key terms
emphasized were: likely schools, target schools, reach
schools, 6­year graduation rate, admission rate, UC’s,
CSUs, private schools, out­of­state public schools,
2­year colleges, and KIPP Partner colleges. Students
were guided through a college selection filter on
Collegeboard’s BigFuture website with a sample
student’s GPA and ACT. Many students reported that
this was a useful tool for their own search. Students
then received individual help on building their list by
the KTC staff. Of the students who attended, 100%
said they had a good sense of what a smart wishlist
was, 70% felt more confident in their wish lists, and
85% felt this was a useful workshop for them.

4. KIPP Through College Programming Highlights
College Applications Bootcamp Workshop #3: ​A Closer Look at
Your Applications
Thursday, October 22nd, 2015 5:00­7:00pm Attendance: 11
To wrap up the College App Bootcamp
workshop series, students were given
ample time to delve into whatever area
they needed most help with: personal
statements, wishlists, or college
applications online. KTC staff reviewed the
main vocabulary
and provided tips
for each of the 3
activities. Then staff broke up into 3 areas and students joined
whatever staff member was heading the area they were going
to focus on for the following 2 hours. Many students reported
appreciating the individual feedback and the time to work in a
focused way. The feedback survey showed that 90% had a
better sense of where they would apply, 80% felt more
confident in starting their applications and 100% felt this was a
useful workshop for them.
College Applications Bootcamp Office Hours: ​Application
Work­Time
Monday Oct 26th­ Friday October 30th, 2015 4:00­6:00pm Attendance: 5
Throughout the week of October 26th, students were given the opportunity to receive
one­on­one help from KTC staff in an “office­hours” format. The afternoons were
shaped to fit the student’s needs. For example, one student wanted to work on her
personal statement the entire time, while the day before two students used the time to
solely work on their online applications. Based on this week’s attendance, KTC staff

5. KIPP Through College Programming Highlights
Johanna Mejia will host more informal office hours throughout the next couple of months
to facilitate as much college application time as needed for the Seniors.