College Match 2011 Comments

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The seventh College Match class graduated in June 2011. We held a Special Graduation Ceremony at the Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium on May 26, 2011. 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.

““I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for me and for all the College Match students. It was a great honor working with you and getting to know how passionate you are in helping each one of us to achieve our fullest potential. I really don’t know how I would have tackled the college application process (without College Match.) Thank you.”

This young woman has enrolled in Yale University

““I would like to take this moment to express my enormous gratitude and appreciation for the support and blessing I have received since I became a part of College Match. You have planted in me the element of knowing that I can achieve my dream of improving myself and my family by going beyond my expectations. I never would have imagined that I had the potential to get accepted by some outstanding colleges or that I would be going to college on the East Coast. I never would have imagined after meeting you at the beginning of the eleventh grade that I was going to grow beyond my years, as I have done. This program will be a part of my life that I will never forget as it has given me the support I will cherish for the rest of my life. I greatly admire your program, and I greatly admire your persona. Thank you very much.”

This young woman has enrolled in Franklin & Marshall

““I’d like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of such a life-changing program as College Match. Despite my unusual and difficult circumstances, you still wanted to help and accepted me into the program. You took me under your wing and guided me every step of the way. You helped me realize my potential and what I am capable of. Two years ago, I never thought I’d be attending a college on the East Coast, let alone an Ivy League school. Now, thanks to you, I’ll be attending Dartmouth College in the fall. “Your generosity, determination and commitment have truly benefitted a lot of students like me. My family and I are forever grateful. Thank you!!”

This young man has enrolled in Dartmouth College

“I can hardly express the gratitude I have for the College Match program. Four years ago, I would have never thought that I would be accepted by several prestigious colleges and actually attend an Ivy League equivalent school. My junior year, I was ecstatic to learn that I would be given the opportunity to join the College Match program. This opportunity allowed me to delve into my greatest potential and widened my perspective on the whole process of applying to college. The trips to the East Coast, northern California and the Claremont Colleges were very important to my decisions regarding which colleges to apply to and attend.

“The early morning workshops, I admit, were laborious but in the end were absolutely worth it. I have grown to enjoy the company of my fellow College Match peers and have developed strong friendships with several of them. I will always remember my experiences with College Match, and I hope that one day I will be able to give back to the program in some way. Please extend my regards and gratitude to Julie, Erica and the rest of those who supported College Match 2011 in our endeavors. Thank you so much for everything. Without all of your assistance, guidance and support, I doubt I would be in such a good position as I am now. ”

This young woman has enrolled in Smith College

“I want to thank you for all that you have done for me. I know it could not have been easy and involved many sleepless nights, but I appreciate all the sacrifices you made for me. Thank you for the wonderful opportunities you have given me such as showing me a number of great colleges I had never seen. The SAT classes were a tremendous help; without them I do not think I would have done as well. I have made many friends and found knowledgeable advisors thanks to College Match. “Once again, thank you for this life-changing experience. Without it, I do not think I would be where I am today. Thank you for seeing my potential and for believing in me. I hope you stay happy and healthy. ”

This young woman has enrolled in UC—Berkeley

“I am so happy that you were able to offer such a grand program and opportunity; thus, I would like to thank you enormously with all my heart. Before College Match, my decision to stay in California to study had been “set in stone.” Thanks to you, Erica, and Julie, I received the push that I needed to realize that I should step out of my comfort zone and to believe that I had a chance to get accepted into a prestigious East Coast university.

“I applied to Brown University thinking and wishing that I might actually get in. Thanks to College Match for giving us that push to apply for a Gates Millennium Scholarship. If it were not for all your help, I think I may have given up through all those long essays, college applications, and financial aid/scholarship applications. If it were not for your wise advice, I would not have known what choices to make when it came to college. Thanks to you, I am proud to say that a young girl from Highland Park will be attending an Ivy League University with a full-ride scholarship. ”

This young woman received a Gates Millennium Scholarship and has enrolled in Brown University

“I appreciate everything you have done for the students in College Match, and I would like to say thank you. It was only a few years ago when I was obsessed with becoming Valedictorian. But now, I realize how trivial all that is compared to where I stand now. Looking back on the East Coast trip, SAT classes, and other college prep, I realize I wouldn’t have achieved as much as I have today were it not for College Match. Getting accepted into Stanford and becoming a tree was one of the happiest moments in my life, and you made it possible. So for all your help, thank you.”

This young man has enrolled in Stanford University

“All of your generosity, time and patience have earned me a seat in the college of my dreams. This card does little to depict my gratitude, but regardless, it serves as a reminder of all the great things you have done for us all. Thank you for everything.”

This young woman has enrolled in Middlebury College

“I cannot express how grateful I am to you and Julie for all the help you guys have provided us. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to be in College Match, and to have had you two as my mentors on my road to college”

This young man has enrolled in UC—San Diego

“I am very grateful for all the guidance, support and the opportunities you offered me on my journey towards college. Without your help I would never have known of all the college procedures and requirements. Once again, thank you in helping me make one of the most important decisions in life.”

This young woman has enrolled in Smith College

“College Match is an important program provided by a handful of generous people who share vital information that communities such as mine never hear. These are people who choose to help a disadvantage group of students instead of taking the easy route and helping the advantaged. College Match isn't just helping one group of students per year, but an entire generation of families”

This young man has enrolled in Dartmouth College

“College Match has been a real life changer for me and one of the best experiences of my life. I learned a lot from the kind and generous students and adults of College Match. I really appreciate everything they have all done for me.”

TThis young man has enrolled in Vassar College

“College Match has made a very positive impact on my academic career because it provided me with many resources to move forward and accomplish my goal of attending college. I learned a great deal about the college application process that I had not known previously. Not only did they provide SAT classes and help with my essays, but I was introduced to some pretty good, top ranked colleges in the U.S. which is something I truly appreciate.

This young woman has enrolled in Franklin & Marshall

"Before College Match I never thought of any other colleges besides, UCLA and USC, both in California. If it weren’t for College Match, with all its college trips, Saturday SAT classes, and wonderful volunteers, I wouldn’t have been inspired to follow bigger dreams; I wouldn’t be leaving this fall to Dartmouth in New Hampshire. My College Match experience was quite worthwhile. I will be the first in my family to go to college in her family. I am very pleased that a student that comes from a public high school in Inglewood, and a student who is labeled a minority, could make it this far. Thank you College Match."

This young woman has enrolled in Dartmouth College

"This program has expanded my horizons and provided me with massive amounts of support on my personal road to college. Being part of College Match is like having a family. They are there to lighten the adversities, and helped me reach my goals. This program has brought out the best in all of us and it has been my great fortune to participate in it. Thank you for everything College Match."

This young man has enrolled in Middlebury College

"College Match opened my eyes to the possibilities outside of the region I grew up. Before College Match, I didn’t know what I wanted to be, but thanks to you, I now know what I want to major in and most importantly what I want to do for the rest of my life. Without a program such as College Match I would still be confused as to my career path. Thanks College Match for all the help and support."

This young man has enrolled in UCLA

“Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and for my peers. College Match has done so much for me for me that I doubt if I would be in the same situation that I am in today without College Match. Thank you!”

This young woman has enrolled in Stanford University

“You’ve probably heard many variations of appreciation from many students. Even so, I’d like to thank you for all the help and support that you’ve given me and for all the efforts you’ve made to help us get into excellent colleges. I would especially like to thank you for the time you’ve dedicated in trying your best to get me into Scripps. My parents and I greatly appreciate your help. Without College Match, I would probably be one of many students with average SAT scores. I wouldn’t even know where I would be without your influence and support. I regret that all I can give you back is a letter. Please continue inspiring, pushing, and helping many students. Thank you so much.”

This young woman has enrolled in UC-Berkeley

“I want to thank you for everything you have done for us. I want you to know that I appreciate all the time and the patience you displayed in working with us. I also appreciate that you took the time to come to our schools and give us advice as to what colleges might be best for us and for viewing our options with a broader perspective. Thank you for motivating me to do my best each day and for believing in all of your College Match students.”

“College Match has helped me grow as a student and as a person. It has helped me consider options I never thought about. I appreciate that you never gave up on us, even if we scored low on our SAT’s. I owe my hard work and my persistence to try to do well to you. Overall, words cannot really describe what I feel. Hopefully, I can stay in touch and continue telling you about my successes, my struggles and my failures. I want to thank you again for everything. Also, thank you for pushing me to go that extra mile and encouraging me always. Thank you again.”

This young woman has enrolled in Occidental College

“Words cannot describe how thankful I am for all the help that College Match has given me. College Match wasn't just another program that I participated in high school. I was fortunate enough to be part of the program and being pushed out of my comfort zone. Going to the East Coast has been a life changing experience. Never would I have imagined myself on the East Coast and visiting some of the top colleges on the country. Going to Bell and having the SAT Prep classes really helped me improve my SAT score by 300 points. I also want to thank Patrick, my SAT instructor, for making SAT Prep fun and enjoyable. His energy and intelligence motivated me to do my very best on the SAT. Also, I am grateful for the friends I made in College Match. I've met some really great people that I know I will be working with one day. Going to college is a big step for me and for my family. That is why, I want to thank you so much for all the help and support you all have given me and for making my college application process easy.”

This young man has enrolled in UCLA

“Thank you very much for all the support you’ve given to our son. We hope someday he will be able to return all the generosity and assistance you have accorded him. We wish you more success in your great endeavors. More power to you and to College Match.”

The parents of a Dartmouth-bound young man

“Thank you for all your help. I know it was difficult sometimes to get me on track, but I managed to make it. I appreciate the diligent effort and time you have bestowed on me. I look forward to continue working with you.”

This young man has enrolled in Occidental College

“My wife and I would like to thank you for all of your hard work and determination that helped our son achieve a very important goal in his life and in our lives—attending one of the elite colleges in the nation. If it weren’t for you, people like our son and many other low-income families would not have this opportunity.’

“God bless you and your family, and continued success in your awesome program.”

The parents of a Stanford-bound young man

“I don't know if people thank you enough; you've done so much for us, and for me. I probably would have never looked at schools outside of Los Angeles, let alone the east coast! SAT classes and the trip alone were so eye-opening on so many levels- I got to meet new friends from different schools and visit places I thought I'd never see. Joining College Match is more than joining an organization. It really becomes like a second family, one that we'll always be a part of even after we graduate from CM. So thank you for helping find the right college for me, being there every step of the way, for giving me a family, and for investing so much time, money, and faith in me and in all of us.

“I won't be saying good-bye because I know I'll be seeing College Match soon. So thank you and see you later!”

This young woman has enrolled in Franklin & Marshall