Impact
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Over
Students Served as of 2022.
Despite a national pandemic, 1,400 Rise Together college mentors provided consistent guidance and mentorship to first-generation students
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Acceptance Rate to top 5 ranked schools
Percent
Freshman Acceptance Rate into their top 5 ranked schools at premier universities across the nation with a financial aid package that enables them to attend
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More than
Million US Dollars Earned
Financial Aid and Scholarships
earned or awarded to Rise Together students since 2020 |
Personal Impact
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You are always inspiring me and make me feel confident in myself and what I am capable to do. I really created a family here and am extremely thankful to have had this opportunity.
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This program makes sure you are 'on your game'. It demystifies the college process and puts you in a much better state of mind. Everything feels good to me now because the burden and stress of working alone was taken out ouf my heart.
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2020-21 Charleston High School Partnership
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First-Gen National Average (PNPI, 2021)
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Charleston HS Average
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Charleston Rise Together Senior Average
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Many High Schools that partner with Rise Together have over twice the 4-year college enrollment rate of the national average for first-gen, low-income students from similar backgrounds with more than half attending predominantly White institutions that at first seemed unaccessible.
In pre-program surveys, students reported lacking knowledge and confidence in the college application process. 100% of Rise Together seniors successfully applied to college and completed their financial aid applications with direct program assistance.
Rise Together provides 25 hours of remote programming per semester, giving low income, first-generation students access to a pipeline of support. Near-peer mentors infuse their authentic voice into programming so high school students can envision a vibrant life at the college level.
Stories of Success
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Working with Rise Together has been an invaluable experience to me as a student here at the University of Virginia. Coming into my first semester of college as a first-generation student, I felt that I was missing out on a valuable part of the college experience, finding my place in the community. I often found myself questioning whether or not I belonged here until I found my purpose and my passion through Rise Together. Gina, Bryan, and the Leadership Team have given me a home and a safe place where I can guide students just like me. At the same time, I've gained essential skills to succeed in my own academic and professional career! |
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Rise Together is an amazing program. I learned how to communicate effectively with a student I never met in person and across lines of diversity and difference. I also was able to gain experience with leadership, collaboration, agenda creation, and general mentorship, which will equip me for success going into my career after college." |
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Rise Together has allowed me to feel fully confident in my ability to afford a four-year institution since I have had amazing mentors work with me with my specific situation to offer advice. RT also gave me the tools and feedback I needed in order to perfect my college essays, college lists, and activity list by setting up conversations with admissions officers as well as having multiple eyes read over my application, at no cost to me. |
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Since the first day of the program, Hoos Rise Together has helped me through a complicated college application process. Their student mentors have fantastic advice as former high school seniors. I can honestly say I wouldn’t have felt nearly as confident in my application if it weren’t for the program's tips and advice. Lastly, the sense of community provided an environment that felt judgment-free and comfortable, allowing me to put my whole persona into my application. |
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Many of these students do not realize how beautiful they are. They are never told they are beautiful and that they can live the life they envision for themselves. Rise Together mentors consistently work with our students so they can see that others like themselves are achieving at the college level. Mentors show students what is possible and how to share their story throughout the admissions process. |
