College Match 2010 Comments

The sixth full College Match class graduated in June 2010. We held a Special Graduation Ceremony at the Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium on May 28, 2010. 210 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 and parents 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.

“Well where do I start...College Match has been and still is and forever will be an amazing and enriching experience. From the SAT classes to the East Coast trips, this was a great opportunity and I'm glad that I a) was given the chance to take it and b) took it and ran with it. Although the SAT classes seemed endless, they were extremely helpful. Regardless of whom your SAT teacher is, you were bound to learn how to take the test, and how to view it in a non-life defining way; because in perspective, it is just another test, four hours long but just a test.

“As far as the trips go, the East Coast trips, the Northern California trip, and the Claremont Colleges trip, you always come back wishing they were longer. Although the trips are meant to be educational, they're a heck of a lot of fun. These are opportunities that NO ONE should miss out on because at the end of your junior year, these are the moments that will ultimately come in handy when you are making that college list; and of course they're useful at the end of your senior year...when you have to decide where to go.

“What I'm essentially saying is that had it not been College Match, I would not have gotten a good grade on my SATs, and in the way that the economy is going I would have probably ended up at a CC. College Match doesn't make you brilliant, and it doesn't create doors or paths for you to follow; it simply let's you KNOW that you're brilliant--that's why you're there, and it helps you OPEN doors that already existed, and CLEAR OUT paths that were already there.

“In conclusion I would like to thank all the teachers, and sponsors of the College Match program for allowing it to survive. I'd like to thank the participants (the students) for putting forth their best effort and letting the teachers and sponsors know that programs like this are not a waste of time or money. And I would definitely like to THANK Mr. Harley Frankel, for believing that each one of us can do it and for taking his time to coordinate and establish a program like College Match, and thank you as well, to his family for supporting him in this.

“Thank you College Match.”

This young woman is in foster care and has enrolled in Bard College

“College Match is a program that has completely changed my life and the pathway of my future. Before College Match, the only dream I had for my future was to join the Marines, and hopefully in that process go into Scout Sniper training. I told myself that my intelligence wouldn’t go to waste, because Scout Snipers must use strategy and calculations in order to be successful. Then, like a gift from the heavens, I was told to try to apply to a program called College Match. I wasn’t even considering college at the time, because I wasn’t well informed. My ignorance led me to believe that college would be impossible, and that I would never be able to survive it. Well College Match changed that for me. I was forced outside of my comfort zone, my bubble blocking me from the rest of the world, and introduced to some of the best schools in the nation. Due to College Match coming into my life, the Saturday SAT prep classes, and the college trips around the country, it has led to my admission into Dartmouth College, an Ivy League school that offered me amazing financial aid.

“College Match is a once in a lifetime opportunity that every low-income student should be offered. I honestly don’t know what kind of person I would be if it weren’t for the program. Most likely I would have still been dreaming about the Marines, instead of an Ivy League education. The better alternative is obvious, and it was all because of College Match. I want to personally thank Julie, Harley, and the rest of the College Match staff and participants for all of the help. If it weren’t for all of these wonderful people, I wouldn’t be going to Dartmouth in the fall. I am eternally grateful for this program.”

This young man has enrolled in Dartmouth College

“I will be assuming the College Counselor position at another high school for the next school year. “Working with you, Julie and the College Match students has been the highlight of my year and easily one of the more enriching experiences of my career. In a college center this year where the status quo is just fine and expectations are low, I found working with College Match and your innovative approaches very refreshing and quite rejuvenating. There is an almost additive energy level inherent in your College Match group, an energy level that is often stifled in large school organizations. I hope that I will have the opportunity to work with you and Julie again.”

An LAUSD College Counselor

“College Match has been a life changing experience. It has opened new options for me (and) gotten me out of my comfort zone to show me that in life I'm not limited in what I want to do. College Match meant a lot to me because they provided free SAT classes every Saturday. The classes at Bell High School were worth it because at the end it improved my score. In math alone, I started out with a 500 and went up to a 640. The program also took us on college tours to the East Coast to teach us that there are not only schools in California, but that we could go beyond what is expected. I am excited to go off to college, but nervous about going across the country. I am grateful I experienced this program with my friends. I know it is going to help me achieve my goals in the long run.”

This young man has enrolled in Vassar College

“If it weren’t for College Match, I would not be going to my dream school. College Match not only provided me the opportunity to enjoy an East Coast college tour, but also opened my eyes to new experiences and possibilities. Not to mention the extensive essay revision process available to College Match students that allowed my acceptance into majority of the schools I applied to. College Match allowed me to grow as a person and a student. With having to wake up every Saturday morning to attend SAT Prep classes, I was able to learn ways to score higher on the test.

"Having programs like College Match for kids in communities like ours will help to make for better leaders and model citizens. I feel that with the help of College Match, I will be able to make my community a better place because I will take the kindness bestowed upon myself and use it to somehow improve the lives of others. College Match has made me a better person and will continue to help in making me a better person. I don’t know where I would be if it weren’t for College Match, so therefore, I’m thankful and grateful that I had the opportunity to be in such a wonderful program.”

This young woman has enrolled in Dickinson College

“When I was eight I decided I wanted to go to college, a dream at that time, but thanks to the help of College Match it is now a reality. I had no idea about the college process; all I knew was that a higher education would provide a better future. But, that all changed when I was given the opportunity to be a part of College Match in my junior year. Witnessing the time and effort spent with inner-city students, like myself, I feel so blessed to have met Harley and Julie. They provided overall assistance with any question, the supplemental essay assistance by Regina, the SAT classes by Kirk, and Ms. Johnson for the special scholarship help. I am thankful to all the people who have made it possible for College Match to continue so that I and my fellow peers of the class of 2010 can attend colleges all over the U.S. College Match gave me that push to make my dream come true, and now I am glad to say I will be attending an Ivy league school, and one day I will make a positive difference in other lives as College Match has managed to do for me and many others. Thank you so much”

This young woman has enrolled in Brown University

“College Match has impacted my life in a huge way. Because of this program, I was able to do and experience things I never imagined I’d be doing. For example, I was flown out to the East Coast to visit prestigious schools I never thought I had a chance of getting into before being involved in the program. I got into a number of highly selective schools because of the help that was given to me. From SAT prep classes to college tours and financial aid workshops, everything that College Match offers will help students get into college and prepare for college applications. College Match made my senior year a whole lot easier than what it would’ve been if I had been on my own. Because of this, I am extremely grateful and honored to have been part of such a wonderful program. I honestly feel that this is a great program and any student who has been a part of that can say the same thing.”

This young woman has enrolled in Claremont McKenna College

“Words cannot express the gratitude I feel. I have so much to thank you for. I want to thank you for helping me get accepted to Harvard. I want to thank you for the support you have given me. I want to thank you for the courage you provided when I felt only despair about my future. Your words and your belief in me allowed me to pick myself up and realize my achievements. Thank you Mr. Frankel; your noble actions have truly made a difference in my life.”

This young man has enrolled in Harvard College

“College Match changed my life in a way I would have never imagined. Before College Match my dream school was UC Santa Barbara. I was sure I wanted to stay close to home, because I had no knowledge of any educational opportunities outside of California, but College Match opened my eyes. If it weren’t for this program, applying to college would have been harder and I would have been applying to schools blindly. Going on the East Coast college tour gave me the opportunity to visit different schools I had never heard of before and get perspectives from current students. Because of this college tour I ended up applying to Connecticut College, which is the school I will be attending in the fall.

“College Match not only helped me apply for college but they helped me get into college as well. The first time I took the SAT my score was at about a 1500 and after completing the SAT prep classes with Kirk it went up to a 1740. Without these classes my score wouldn't have improved this much because Kirk taught us strategies we didn’t know of before and really taught us how to tackle the SAT. Also Julie and Barbara were a huge help when it came down to writing the essays and making sure they were perfect to submit. I want to thank everyone involved with College Match who takes the time and dedication to help us; it really means a lot.”

This young man has enrolled in Connecticut College

“What hasn’t College Match done for me? College Match paved the way to my full ride to Dartmouth College. I never thought about leaving home before I went on the East Coast college tour last March. A whole world of opportunities was opened for me as I discovered that some of the best colleges in the world were outside of California. I was provided with SAT classes every Saturday and as a result of that my SAT scores were higher than I ever thought they could be.

“Without Julie and Harley I would be stuck at a UC packed with loans. I can’t forget Kirk who answered all of my questions and wouldn’t move on to the next problem until we were all 100% sure how to get the correct answer. Barbara spent so much of her winter reading my essays and editing my work as well as giving me feedback. I didn’t even really know what an Ivy League college was before College Match and now thanks to them I am going to attend one. I have gotten countless information on scholarships, internships, and other programs through the emails I receive from Harley. Julie, because of you I actually submitted my FAFSA and CSS Profile. Thank you all so much for everything, I honestly could not have done it without you and for that I will be forever grateful.”

This young woman has enrolled in Dartmouth College

“Well I Just Want To Thank You For Your Hard Work And Everything You Have Done For Not Only Us In College Match But For The Big Difference & Impact You Have Had In The Lives Of Many. You Are A Very Wonderful Person Who Looks In The Interest Of Others. I’m Sure You Are Filled With Pride To Be Able To Give To Those who Are Needy. College Match Really Opened My Mind Into Realizing That Everything And Anything Is Possible No Matter Where One Comes From. I Hope To Hear From You Soon And I Wish You And Your Family Nothing But The Best. Keep In Touch And I'll Keep You Posted With My College Journey. And One Last Time Thank You From The Bottom Of My Heart.”

This young man has enrolled in Pitzer College

“I am extremely grateful to College Match for guiding me to Bryn Mawr, a college that I had no knowledge of prior to the program. Because of College Match, I was able to explore colleges that I had no access to and was able to understand that the colleges that I had wanted to apply to before seeing them were not right for me. SAT prep helped me improve my SAT scores and gave me access to colleges I would not otherwise have had. College Match pushed me to give my best and work harder than ever, and I would like to say thank you Harley and all of the College Match team who have made my college process rewarding. "Great spirits often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds" (Einstein).”

This young woman has enrolled in Bryn Mawr College

“To Whom It May Concern:

“College Match” is a unique program, which I feel has been one of the catalysts for my children attending college. My name is Kathleen Brown, and I am a mother of seven children; four of which have attended “College Match.” My family has been a part of this program for six years. It has helped my children in several areas: understanding test-taking strategies, initial exposure to major universities and colleges, and logistic support towards applying to these colleges.

“I first encountered College Match through my child’s tennis coach. Initially, College Match sought student-athletes who needed support in accessing colleges and universities but were lacking academic support. As a result, my husband, who coaches our children daily, encouraged our involvement. Immediately, we began attending the funded SAT prep classes, which Mr. Frankel provided. The classes taught test taking strategies, vocabulary enrichment, and through diagnostic and weekly assessments, mapped out an individual program, which developed skills towards program goals. Hence, my daughter, Melanie’s SAT scores increased significantly from her first efforts. This allowed her to qualify for NCAA clearance and she was granted a full four-year tennis scholarship. We have continued our relationship with the program as it continues to grow and help others.

“College Match exposed my children to local and national colleges. Many of these schools initially were not known to us or felt out of reach. The counselors constantly provided informational literature, fieldtrips, and national trips to provide a clear view of some of our nation’s highest ranked universities. My children were able to see the college environment, students, and curriculum first-hand, as well as, talk to teachers and alumni who encouraged recruitment and criteria needed for acceptance. These experiences helped my children give themselves some direction towards selecting the college that was right for them. In addition, the College Match directors continuously provided options to support decision making of a college with constant meeting, emails, and recruitment interviews.

“Most of all, College Match is not a big organization, but the warmth of the people involved make it phenomenal beyond the scope of other college prep programs. The heart and passion of the people involved in the community of support seems so enthusiastic. Mr. Frankel knows each student and patiently invests his time in helping them. From the beginning, he has offered boundless energy organizing and attending the test prep classes, emailing every student weekly to let them know of recruitment, providing entrance essay workshops, and he even came out to my son’s tennis match to support him while he was competing at a major tournament. I see him as a father figure to all the students by mentoring, advising, and directing each student towards their best opportunity. His staff of counselors and teachers reflects his caring and open heart.

“Consequently, I have two children attending Howard University, one at Texas A&M who has completed her undergraduate work at Prairie View University in Texas and my twins who are about to attend Virginia St. University. I am the first from my family to graduate from college. Now my children will create a greater legacy and future for my family as they are pursuing degrees in biology, nursing, and aerospace. Other families now see their children going to colleges like Harvard, Columbia and Yale. I see the tears of joy as they see a better future for their children. This would have not been possible without this program because it provides the tools, which hard working students need but may lack the knowledge or revenue in order to succeed.

“I thank God for this program. It is a God sent and a beautiful example of man helping his fellow man to improve our world.

"Sincerely,

"Kathleen Brown Los Angeles"

A Parent

"Mr. Frankel, I wanted to let you know that I truly appreciate everything you have done for me and the students in our area. I probably would not have made it this far if I hadn't joined College Match. The early exposure to different colleges and systems helped me choose the right school and the SAT prep classes helped me get the scores to get in. College Match was a very defining moment in my life. I've taken a lot of what I learned through the program and used it to survive college. Before College Match I knew nothing about applying to schools and filling out the FAFSA because I was the first in my family to attend college. The program bridged that gap and introduced me to the essentials of college prep. And I know I haven't been an active member since I left but I've rarely been back to California since I graduated. But I appreciate the fact that after all these years I still receive phone calls and emails to check my status. That's enough to get an extra push when things get difficult in school. My parents always remind me of what a blessing it was that I joined College Match because the information that you gave me helped to get my other siblings and family members started on their journey. I wish that I could have sent you this message handwritten, but as I began checking my mail I was overwhelmed by the remembrance of my experience with College Match. I feel like it advanced me to where I am now and I'm sure other students feel the same. Mr. Frankel, your efforts have really impacted and imprinted in me some of the most valuable skills for school and life. Thank you for everything and I hope that you continue to help more students to success."

A student from Tuskegee University

"I would like to thank you for the opportunities this program gave me. After going to Santa Clara's orientation, it felt like home as well as a place where I can study. The environment was great and all the people were nice. I would of never thought about applying to Santa Clara if it hadn't been for the College Match trip to Northern California. Thank you again for all your help."

This young woman has enrolled in Santa Clara University

"College Match has become a very important program to me. Not only was I able to learn and visit great colleges, but also I was able to meet great people. I was very lucky to learn about College Match, and I was told from the very beginning that I would have to work very hard. They were right! Every Saturday I would go to my SAT classes, and I had to write my personal statements many times (something I am grateful for). They helped me with my personal statements and my supplements (although writing things over and over again wasn't very fun) and the hard work did pay off. If it weren't for College Match I would not be going to the East Coast and starting a new experience. I would like to thank Mr. Frankel because he helped me find a college that I love, and I would also like to thank Julie for helping me write my personal statement. I would also like to thank my SAT teacher Kirk because he gave up his time to help us every Saturday! Thanks!"

This young woman has enrolled in Smith College