Y Scholars
Here at the Y, we believe all young people should feel they have the option to choose college, the skills to gain entry and succeed once enrolled, and access to the funds or financing to pay for a quality college education. Rowe Scholars is most often conducted on-site at participating schools by a team of caring, trained professionals who work closely with the host school’s principal and teaching staff. The program is open to all students. There are no academic or testing requirements, and we work with school leadership to identify and recruit students who may be off-track for graduation and in greatest need of program services. Participants must commit to undertake at least 120 hours of curriculum-based program activities during the school year.
Key features of the Rowe Scholars program design:
College Access and Readiness Curriculum
Students meet weekly for one-hour sessions guided by a specific, four-year college access and readiness curriculum. At some program sites, this occurs during the regular school day and at others it takes place during out-of-school time. The Y developed the curriculum in partnership with CARA (College Access: Research & Action), a New York City-based nonprofit dedicated to equipping and empowering first-generation college students.
College Tours
No single exercise is more effective in motivating and focusing the energies of our students than visiting college campuses and speaking with college students and admissions officers. In the ninth grade, students tour campuses of the Y’s local higher education partners, including CUNY, Fordham University and New York University. By the end of 10th grade, students have visited out-of-state colleges in group road trips that entail overnight stays. For many, these trips are the first time they have traveled outside the New York metropolitan area to get a taste of college life.
Career Events
Through program activities and career events, we help prepare students for the world of work. We aim to see that students are able to pursue their jobs, careers, and entrepreneurship opportunities, while getting input from current professionals. To help teens think about their future professions in a prudent, informed manner, the Y partners with stakeholders and partners from the corporate world. Our corporate volunteers deliver information, insight, and details about their own career journeys. The career events consist of on-site visits to Macys, Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, and Columbia Hospital to cover careers such as accounting, banking, fashion, and nursing.
PSAT/ACT Test Preparation
Rowe Scholars participants receive the type of private, high quality test preparation services that middle and upper-income families often pay as much as $1,000 to obtain for their children. The Y has retained the services of a private test prep company, Bell Curves, to help our 11th grade students achieve the highest possible scores when taking the SAT or ACT exams. The Bell Curves program consists of 24 hours of instruction (12 two-hour classes) and three full-length practice tests—36 hours of test preparation in all.
At each program site, we organize an annual FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion event at which our 12th grade students and their parents/caregivers use laptop computers to prepare and submit their federal financial aid applications. Each year, the Y awards competitive $20,000 scholarships to two outstanding students, using income from a restricted endowment fund. We also encourage and help students to apply for other scholarships. Last year, students in 12th grade cohorts citywide secured a cumulative $197,900 in scholarship funds.
The Y Advantage. A unique aspect of the Rowe Scholars program design is our ability to capitalize upon the extensive program services and citywide physical presence of New York’s largest youth services provider. Students are expected to take part in extracurricular activities, and the Y offers a wealth of opportunities, including programs in leadership, civic affairs and community service learning. We also give students membership cards that grant free access to their local YMCA to use the swimming pool, basketball court, fitness equipment and other amenities. (Teen membership is normally $150 per year or more, depending on YMCA branch location). Studies have found, and our experience confirms, that getting teens to exercise and focus on fitness helps reduce risky behaviors and facilitates school success.