Intake begins with an extensive interview/evaluation that determines your student’s strengths and assesses areas of need that might create barriers. Parents are encouraged to provide any input they deem useful, including prior testing and records as well as anecdotal information. Information gleaned from intake is used to guide training and plan development

Parents meet with trainers to learn specifics of our program and how they can reinforce the skills their student will learn.

Students attend twelve hours of group training during which they develop skills of planning and problem solving, self-advocacy, effective decision-making, and motivation strategies. Students will then learn how to apply these skills to resolving problems such as attaining needed accommodations, keeping current on assignments, spending time wisely, relating to professors, and knowing when to ask for help. In the course of this training, they also develop a common vocabulary reflecting our unique approach to college success. This vocabulary facilitates more effective communication with your student’s "College Guide", an individual trainer who will be in contact with your student during the first college year.

Combining the information learned from intake and the skills developed in training, the student and "College Guide" develop a individualized strategic plan that anticipates and resolves problems the student might encounter based upon his or her unique strengths and needs.

Parents and students meet together as a group with the College Guides to celebrate progress and learning, reinforce the strategic plan, address any lingering questions or concerns, and otherwise send the student off in an encouraging fashion.

Follow up component - Students

An individual College Guide maintains weekly or twice weekly contact with your student to determine progress, assist with problem solving, and reinforce skills and the strategic plan developed during summer training. Parents are advised of student progress through periodic reports.

Follow up component - Parents 

Throughout the year, a monthly meeting for parents (and other concerned adults in the student's life) provides a support group setting and learning platform.  Parents can often be blind-sided by the challenges that their college student faces.  Here they learn how to adjust their approach now that they are managing an adult.

Interim Group Contact

The student training group reconvenes during winter and spring break to assess progress, share experiences and learnings, reinforce successes, and address problems encountered during the semester.