College Match East Coast Trip— March 12-19,  2005

 Statements by College Match Students

In March 2005, College Match took 37 high achieving low-income and minority students from East Los Angeles and Watts to visit eleven outstanding colleges on the East Coast.  At the end of the trip, these students wrote their feelings about the College Match program on several “thank you” cards. A sampling of these unsolicited views are presented below:  

“First of all, thank you so much for making all of this possible. It is truly a blessing to have someone…to guide us, help us and encourage us to become all that we can be. Thank you for enabling me to receive the opportunities that I would probably not (have) had without the College Match program. Second, thank you for this sensational trip to the East Coast….I have been introduced to a whole new world and know that I will be ready to spread my wings and fly when the time comes. There are not enough words to explain my gratitude for…the SAT classes (and)…this trip. So once again, THANK YOU! I know you have helped me grow as an individual and to become more independent.”

--A Latina from Franklin High School

"When this trip started I was unsure of what I looked for in a college. I knew what my parents wanted and expected but was still in doubt about what I wanted. This trip has allowed me to experience so much and learn so much about myself. Leaving my family for the first time, I realized that I can be away from home (without missing them too much). After visiting so many colleges, I know I want to attend a small school rather than a big one and have the confidence to believe that I can get into a college that I once thought was out of reach. Thank you so much for all the work and effort you put into this trip and for helping us on the road to college and for opening many doors of opportunities. I am truly grateful.”

---An Asian-American girl from Franklin High School

"...I just want you to know that I really appreciate what you have done for me. Without you I would never have heard of these schools. I also would never have thought of applying to places like Harvard. You've opened up my eyes to a bigger and better world...Thank you so much for offering me the key that will open up doors of success later on in my life."

---An African-American girl from Animo Inglewood High School

“First off, thank you so so much. There are not enough words for me to explain the tremendous gratitude I feel for you…I (feel)…grateful that you would choose to help low-income kids. I have heard of no other man who has done anything close to you. I, along with everyone one in College Match will remember you forever. You have been and will be the most influential person in my life. This trip has been great. I have learned a plethora of information. I have completely changed the way I (feel) about some schools. For example, I loved Brandeis and Trinity which were not on my list of schools before the trip, but now they have joined Brown. I now believe I have a decent chance of getting into some of these schools. I am excited about applying to these colleges…”

---A Latino boy from Franklin High School

"Thank you so much! This trip to the East Coast has been the finest and biggest eye opener of my life. This trip will, I’m sure, make a huge impact on my life in terms of which college I choose and how I choose it."

---A Latina from Bell High School

“My words are nothing but those of complete gratitude. This experience has been the greatest experience of my life. I believe that now that I have ventured outside of California, my parents will understand the importance of my college education. Also how it will benefit me to explore beyond the front door. A million thank you’s are not enough.”

---A Latina from Franklin High School

“Thank you sooooo…much for being such a great person. Thanks to you I have a chance to succeed in life. You are a very unique, caring person. I will always remember you as a mentor and as the best example to follow.”

-----A Latina from Bell High School

“I want to thank you for giving me such an amazing opportunity to visit such colleges that I had no idea even existed….now I have Wheaton as my top choice and Wellesley after that. All of this was possible because of your passion to help others. Thank you so much.”

---A Latina from Bell High School

"First and foremost, I want to thank you for this great trip. All the great colleges you have taken the whole group and me (to) have opened my eyes. I’ve realized that before this trip, I had many misconceptions of what college life is like. I used to think that it would only be 4 years of studying, hours of boring lectures, and deep down, a waste of time. I’ve come to realize that college isn’t a waste of time, and although college involves a lot of studying, it also provides young adults with choices and a sense of independence that will help us grow up and be able to handle life’s twists and turns. With your guidance and support, I now feel confident that I can receive a great education from great colleges, and that I will be able to…(meet) the challenges that I will face. I want to once again sincerely thank you for everything you have done, not just for me, but for the hundreds of College Match kids of the present, past and future, whom with your help, will also see the great possibilities in life.”

---A Latino boy from Franklin High School

“I really appreciate what you have done for us ever since we were invited to join College Match. I know that without your help I would never have come to visit so many wonderful colleges on the East Coast. I have become more independent and learned so much about so many schools. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart! You have changed my life!”

---An Asian-American girl from Franklin High School

“This program along with the people in charge (has) brought me nothing but happiness and gratitude. I feel so lucky for having the opportunity to participate in College Match. I’m so glad that we still have people who really truly care for our futures. Honestly, I don’t think anything can replace the experience I’ve had….”

---A Latina from Franklin High School

“This trip is probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had….When I win the Nobel Prize for Journalism, you will be someone I will thank. You are truly an inspiration.”

---A Latina from Bell High School

“I want to thank you so much for being a mentor, counselor and father to me. No matter how late I was or irresponsible I had been, you still kept me on your program. You have opened my mind to a world outside of Los Angeles. I would never have had this experience (were it) not for you. You have opened my wings and now I must fly. No one has ever been so kind and caring to me. I THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.”

---A Latina from Bell High School

“Thank you so much for everything! I appreciate everything you have done for College Match, for Animo, for me. I hope you’ll continue to support us and the people who come after us. You’ve opened my eyes to so many things that I never considered. Thank you so much.”

---A Latina from Animo Inglewood High School

“I want to thank you for a time of greatness and marvelous fun. I will never forget these few days at a place that I would have never gone (but)…for your kindness and...willingness to help us all. In other words, you have been like a dad to me and to all of us in many different ways.”

---A Latino boy from Bell High School

“First and foremost, I want to thank you so much for allowing me to partake in the College Match program! Thank you! You don’t know how much I appreciate your generosity with all of us highly motivated students! You opened up a window for us all. You taught us and provided us with confidence to apply to great schools!...you honestly don’t know how much this program and this trip has…improved me! It’s nice to know we have a chance and that we have someone supporting us and guiding us through it! Thank you for believing in us and for motivating us to do good and be the best we can be!”

---A Latina from Franklin High School

“Thank you for everything you have done. You are truly an inspiration to all of us. Without your generosity I wouldn’t have been able to experience these wonderful experiences. I can’t explain how this program has opened my eyes to a whole new world. Thank you again for showing us that there still are wonderful people in this tough place we call home.”

---An African-American girl from Animo Inglewood High School

“You have really…(given) us the greatest opportunity of our lives. I’ll always remember who helped me reach success, because I know that with your help I will. With you I feel protected and taken care of; it takes away some (of the) nervousness of this process of growing up.”

---A Latina from Bell High School

---An African-American girl from Animo Inglewood High School

"I just want to let you know how thankful I am. Words can't explain how I feel about the greatest opportunity given to me. Thanks to...(College Match) I see a very bright future for me....I appreciate this whole week you set up for us and I won't disappoint you. I've grown to explore new places. I wasn't sure about going away from my family, because I thought I wouldn't be able to make it on my own. I was fine throughout the whole trip, and I have more confidence now to do what I want to do. The colleges we visited were fascinating and beautiful. I really didn't have (the) motivation in my life to go to college, but then you came to our school and there was my motivation....I am ready to brighten my future. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hard work you've done for us."

---A Latina from Franklin High School

  East Coast Colleges Visited (in chronological order)

• Wellesley
• Brandeis
• Amherst
• Mount Holyoke
• Trinity
• Wesleyan
• Yale
• Harvard
• Brown
• Wheaton
• Boston College