College Match 2008 Graduation Comments

The fourth full College Match class graduated in June 2008.  We held a Special Graduation Ceremony at the Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium on May 29, 2008.  200 excited students, parents, siblings and friends attended this ceremony.  Students were presented with laptop computers (courtesy of The Raytheon Company.)  Subsequently, College Match held a College Retention and Success Seminar for the graduates where seasoned professionals and college students discussed a number of important topics including academic, health, financial and social issues.  Students have also been provided with immunization shots, jackets, linens, comforters, etc.

After the Graduation Ceremony, a number of College Match students made the following comments.  Although a number of these statements are personal in nature (they were written as thank you notes), they reflect the students’ views of the College Match program.

“It’s hard to express my gratitude…in one single letter.  But I would like to say THANK YOU, thank you for all the hard work and dedication that you put into this program.  You made it possible for students like me, underprivileged and unaware of the resources that are available to help us get into college.  It’s been a long year, with all the SAT classes, college visits, personal statements, college applications, FAFSA, etc. and you helped us through it all. 

“Thank you for everything, for if it were not for you and your altruism, I would not be attending Stanford University in the fall.  You have opened up my eyes and allowed me to see that there was more to college than large public universities, and that nothing was out of reach despite what others may say.  Although I admit that I was skeptical about attending a private university, my perspective has completely changed and now I know that it is possible for a student like myself to make it at a university like Stanford.  Once again, thank you so much for all your support and dedication; I will never forget the impact that you have had on my life.  When you see me again, I will be the next Steve Jobs.”

This young woman was accepted “Early Action” and has enrolled in Stanford University

“I just want to thank you so much for allowing me to be part of College Match.  I honestly do not think I would be going to Columbia University if it weren’t for your help.  I would not know as much as I do about applying to colleges and how important the SAT’s are.  I want to thank you so much for allowing me to visit the East Coast last year.  I would never have dreamed of traveling to so many beautiful places with all expenses paid.  The trip helped me to see that I have the opportunity to attend college and succeed outside of California…The East Coast trip opened my eyes to more universities and showed me that I wasn’t limited to just local colleges.  The trip showed me that even though I come from a lower class family, I really can be successful.

“My parents and I are extremely grateful that I have been able to get such great help in preparing for the SAT’s and writing my personal statement.  I have to admit that going to SAT classes every Saturday morning was not my favorite thing to do.  However, I realized that it was the best thing to do in the end when I did very well on the actual test.  Thank you so much for giving me that opportunity to prepare for (this) important test, and for free.  If I were not in College Match, I would not have known anything about the SAT and would not have been prepared at all.  I cannot thank you enough for creating this program and helping a lower class student from Highland Park like me get prepared for life….Thank you for being there, caring about my future, and showing me that I can achieve anything in life.”

This young woman has enrolled in Columbia University

“Thank you for providing me with this opportunity to grow and learn about college.  Thank you for all the time you personally put in for me." 

This young man has enrolled in Pomona College

“I cannot express enough gratitude and thanks for all the help that you have bestowed upon me.  College Match …was a big step toward my future endeavors and helped guide me through the college process.  Not only have you opened my eyes to all the possibilities that college has to offer, but you have also allowed me to experience life beyond the West Coast.  Also, I think that this program is great for helping inner-city youth like me to experience all that college has to offer.

“The SAT classes, financial aid workshops, college visits and personal statement workshops were all beneficial to my college success.  I cannot thank you enough for all the opportunities and resources available to my peers and me.  I hope this program will keep going and will lead to bigger and better things.  Lastly, thank you for always caring about my future and believing in me.

This young man has enrolled in UCLA

“Thank you for providing me with the opportunity of experiencing an eye-opening trip to the East Coast and for encouraging us to strive for the best.”

This young woman has enrolled in Wellesley College

“ I can’t thank you enough for all that you have done for me.  Thanks to the College Match program, I was able to gain admission to many fine institutions, most of which I would never have previously imagined applying to or attending.  More than the college site visits, the SAT prep classes and the financial aid assistance, College Match provided me with the idea that these great colleges and universities are not out of reach.  That is the greatest accomplishment of this program: making underprivileged students aware of the many opportunities at their disposal.

Before College Match, all I knew was local schools, and look at me now:  off to Dartmouth College.  I would also like to express gratitude for your unwavering belief in me and for your assistance through my somewhat difficult situation.  My only request is that you continue to perform this marvelous philanthropic service to our community, allowing disadvantaged students to recognize their potential and realize their dreams.  Thank you for everything.”

This young man has enrolled in Dartmouth College

“College Match has not only assisted me in the college preparation and the application process, but it has truly broadened my perspective of what different types of institutions are out there.  Before I was invited to join College Match, I thought I knew that where I wanted to be for the next four years was a large public institution like a UC.  After visiting Berkeley…I realized that that type of environment wasn’t appealing to me at all.  I needed (a) small class size along with individualized attention.  Now I will happily attend Oxy for the next four years.  And thanks to College Match, I know that I made the right choice.”

This young woman has enrolled in Occidental College

“I would never have imagined that I would be part of an amazing program like College Match.  I never even imagined that such a program existed and was willing to help out so many high school students get into the best colleges in the country.  I would like to thank Mr. Frankel, Julie and Stacey for always motivating us to do well in school, not be scared or intimidated to apply to some of the best schools in the country, and advising and checking our personal statements.  Thanks to College Match I was able to travel to the East Coast and visit some of the most prestigious schools such as Harvard, Yale and Wellesley, and I even saw snow for the first time and even built a snowman.  College Match has had a great influence in my life because I applied to schools like Mount Holyoke, Mills and Bowdoin, which I had never heard of before.  The SAT classes that College Match provided us were a huge help…and helped improve our scores each time we took the test.  In addition to all the academic benefits provided by College Match such as the SAT classes, I was also able to meet new people from different high schools and establish new friendships.  Thank you…for giving me the chance and opportunity to be part of this amazing program.”

This young woman has enrolled in UCSD

“I want to say thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be in College Match.  I know I’m really, really lucky because without College Match who knows if I’d be going to Wellesley.  Yay!  A lot of hours & work were put into this past year, but in the end it was worth it.  Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.  You guys Rock!!!

This young woman has enrolled in Wellesley College

“I came to high school with (hoping)…to go to UC-Berkeley and major in political science.  Since then…I’ve decided to be Pre-Med and major in molecular biology.  I’ve also decided to go to Pomona College, a private school of all things, even when I considered private schools to be teasing epitomes of affluence I couldn’t reach.  Until College Match, I never considered how college might affect me personally as a maturing adult….College Match introduced me to a variety of schools and allowed me to take my pick based on the correct fit for me as an individual.

“All the hard Saturdays at SAT classes with Stacey, and Ms. Neilson’s critique of my writing skills (see how I used the euphemism critique?  It was heartbreaking, truly heartbreaking seeing my essays torn into pieces with a pen like that) were worth it because I’ve been able to get to this point.  I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to explore these colleges and to do away with the misconceptions I’ve had about private schools and college life.  I also want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to compete with students in wealthier schools who have known from the beginning of high school (where) they wanted to go and how to reach that end with the assistance of endless resources….The fact that I’ve been given the opportunity at a liberal arts college like Pomona is very gratifying.”

This young woman has enrolled in Pomona College

“Thank you for all your hard work.  I know I will be happy at Bryn Mawr.”

This young woman has enrolled in Bryn Mawr College

“I want to start off by saying THANK YOU.  Starting the College Match program was a great idea.  You have helped many students gain a higher education, and fortunately I was one of them.  Having you, Julie, Kara and Ms Johnson by my side helped me gain strength.

“Will my hard work pay off?  Should I even bother?  Will colleges even want me?  Can I afford college?  These questions were constantly running through my head, until I heard about College Match.  My prayers have been answered, and I found help.  If I needed to ask a question, I knew I was able to send you an email.  Because of College Match, I know I can attend college….You made it possible for me and other students to travel to the East Coast to visit prestigious colleges.  This served as a motivator to continue my education.  I had a taste of college and I wanted more.  I came back from the trip more excited than ever.  The trip helped me realize how I must step out of my comfort zone in order to grow as a person.  I also learned that even though it is hard to leave home, I must take the opportunity.  Leaving home and staying on a college campus will help me grow independent and even help me gain better social skills.  College Match has helped me become stronger, confident and eager for an education….Now I serve as an example to my younger brother and sister.  I want them to realize that with a little hard work, nothing is impossible.  I want them to do even better than me.  And I know I can do this because of College Match.”

This young woman has enrolled in Mills College

“Thank you for everything.  It was a great experience that I will never forget.”

This young woman has enrolled in Pitzer College

“Thanks a lot!  You’ve done a lot for my family and helped me get into a college that I could never have gotten into otherwise.  I’ll always remember the East Coast trip and reading my acceptance letters.”

This young man has enrolled in Dartmouth College

“Thank you so much for all your help with college applications and deciding what school to go to next year.  I appreciate all your efforts to help me and my classmates expand our horizons.”

This young man has enrolled in Stanford University

“Thanks for all the help, the commitment and the doors you’ve opened for me.  I wouldn’t be where I am without your and College Match’s help.  You’re awesome!

This young man has enrolled in Columbia University

“I am honored to have met a person such as you.  Your help and wisdom has definitely changed my life for the better.  Thank you for the wonderful opportunities.  We shall keep in touch in the future.

This young woman has enrolled in Occidental College

“Thanks for everything.  I wouldn’t have been able to get where I’m going without your support.

This young man had the highest SAT’s in the class and has enrolled in Dartmouth College

“Because of you, so many opportunities opened up for me.  Thank you for everything.”

This young woman has enrolled in Columbia University

“I just wanted to say thank you for this great opportunity you gave us to be successful in college.  This program has made me a successful college student.  Thanks for everything.”

This young woman has enrolled in Santa Clara University

“Thank you so much.  As time goes on my aspiration to attend a great school has increased tremendously.  I truly want to change the course of my life for the better and am aware that by attending a great school, I can do that.  I am extremely grateful to both Julie and you for the great impact that College match has had on my life.”

This young woman has enrolled in the University of Chicago