Testimonials
Last year, on a whim, I registered my son for the PCS College Planning boot camp. My son was a rising 8th grader. He and I sat through four in-depth, informative, motivational, eye-opening days, learning the “secrets” of what is needed to prepare now for college, understanding his strengths and weaknesses, goal setting, and how with planning, revisiting written goals, and research, he could determine the right fit college, narrow down the path he is taking to reach his goals, and seek scholarships opportunities to help partially or wholly fund his college education. The information presented was motivational, riveting, and organized in a fashion that painted the whole picture of opportunities that we otherwise would not have known. Mr. and Mrs. Wynn have magnanimous personalities who uplift, encourage, command respect, nurture, and drive students to achieve their highest level of success. They work in such a way to let the students know they respect, and love them through encouragement, feedback, personalized suggestions, and a wonderful inclusivity that means so much!High School Parent
I am going to the 6th grade. Before attending the boot camp, I was annoyed that my mom forced me to attend this camp, but I found it was actually helpful. I was not confident in school when my mom was talking about college, but through my participation in the boot camp, I feel happy because I discovered that I have a lot of gifts and talents. I now have a plan to not only go to college, but to earn enough scholarship money to pay for college. Rising 6th Grader
I really enjoyed this program! Each day I felt more and more prepared for my success in the future . Mr. Wynn is very informative and helps whenever help is needed. Mrs. Wynn is very compassionate toward us and the program. The Interns were very helpful with answering questions and providing encouragement. You can truly tell they want us to be successful. The assignments are also fun! I think everyone that can, should use this opportunity, because who doesn't like getting ahead?Rising 7th Grader
I am volunteering as a high school intern for the boot camp. This is my second time serving as an intern and I honestly enjoy it immensely. My thoughts on the college planning cohort have always been positive. I would not be where I am in the college planning process if it was not for the cohort. I have gained so much insight into the college planning process, and I believe as many students as possible should know this information. For example, I gained awareness of the Yale Young Global Scholars Summer Program and the Questbridge College Prep Scholars Program through the activities—and I was selected for both of these opportunities. As an rising senior, I can finally put all of the pieces together and present myself as a competitive applicant when I begin applying for colleges and scholarships. High School Senior
As a parent, I really like what the program focuses on. It made me really stop and reconsider my son's gifts, talents, personality, and how he learns.Middle School Parent
I am glad that this program is an opportunity for young people to discover their gifts and talents, and how to use them. I am glad that I was able to be introduced to the program and the wonderful people working with students. I have already told family and friends about the program so they can participate as well. I think that this program will help many young adults discover things about themselves that they didn't already know or recognize they had within themselves. I believe the program will inspire young people to do great things in their lives. The examples of the program leader's sons were awesome, because like many of us, kids like to see examples of what they are being told and what other kids have done. Middle School and High School Parent
I can confidently say that this program directly intersects with many skills that go beyond college and are vital to life. I will always be an advocate for the College Planning Cohort, not because I want it to be a part of various school districts, but rather because with many existing barriers to higher education, this specific program is needed!University of Chicago Student
I think this boot camp is an awesome experience! It helps me learn a lot of new things that I never even knew! Mr. Wynn and Mrs. Wynn are amazing college advisers and are very funny and kind! Overall, this boot camp is fun and educational!Rising 7th Grader
I attended the college planning boot camp because I wanted to learn how to identify opportunities at my school and in my community to pursue in Middle School and High School. Through the participation of my older brother in the program, I could see how he developed gifts and talents to build his body of work in a way that will give him an advantage in the college admissions process. I am learning so much more information about myself and what it takes to get into a top college. I am grateful for his program. Rising 7th Grader
My son is an honor student in the gifted program his middle school. He is participating in the boot camp for the 1st time. I am amazed at the depth of resources and educational materials that have been presented so far. He learned about the different levels of intelligence and created his 1st résumé. I am hopeful that he can continue with this program each year to prepare him for successful college completion in the future.Middle School Parent
Guilford County Schools Program Sends First Generation Students To College
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Going to college is exciting! But imagine, being the first in your family to do it! And wait, there’s more! A group of Guilford County Students are going to college absolutely free, thanks to a relatively new district program.
The First Generation College Student Ambassadors (FGCSA) Program helps students with college applications and methods to finding scholarships and grants to help them pay for college.
Executive Director Barry Brinkley heads the FGCSA program. Brinkley says the program helps send kids to college who otherwise would never believe they have the opportunity to go.
“The First Generation Ambassadors program was built around providing access to college for students who are traditionally left out of the process, particularly our African-American male students and students of color,” said Brinkley, adding that the program accepts a minimum 50 students a year.
The program is open to all Guilford County School Juniors and Seniors, with a preference given to first generation college students and African-American males. Spaces are available each school year and are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Tuesday on the Good Morning Show, we met students Kristen Starks, Otis Burns and Brenna Kaplan. The high school seniors racked up enough grants and scholarships to pay for their entire education.
Starks, a graduating senior at Southwest Guilford High school was offered more than $2.5 million in scholarships to 17 different universities including Wake Forest and Duke Universities.
“It means a whole lot. I wanted to go into the medical field, so with that I’m going to have to do graduate school, whether it’s med school, PA school and so this frees up money that they could have been spending on my undergraduate education. Also, I have four younger sisters, so this is great because instead of spending money for me this year, we can save that money for my sisters that come after me.”
Starks graduates in June and plans to head to the University of Richmond on a full scholarship worth $259,000.
Brenna Kaplan graduates from Greensboro College Middle College in May and will attend Amherst College on a full ride totaling $270,000. While Otis Burns, a senior at Northern High will attend Northeastern University in Boston through the Torch Scholarship totaling $270,000.
“It’s been such a relief on my family. I have three siblings that are heading to college after me and my mom’s been a single mom for a long time now,” explained Kaplan. “Amherst college is one where it meets 100% of your financial needs so no matter how our financial situation changes over the years, we are always going to have whatever we need to be taken care of.”
The FGCSA Program is currently enrolling for its Summer Boot Camp sessions which is open for Sophomores who will be rising Juniors in the fall.
If you have additional questions, feel free to contact Evelyn Hobbs, GCS Program Administrator by calling 336-370-3284 or email hobbse@gcsnc.com.
