Georgetown University Announces New Program to Prepare Underrepresented Minority Middle School Students for College
In July, Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business will offer an innovative new program for rising 8th-grade students from underrepresented minority groups that prepares them to attend a top-tier college like Georgetown.
Georgetown Reach will provide free week-long programs for students to explore campus life, gain insights into the academic experience, and understand how to best prepare for college during their high school years. The final day of the program culminates with seminars for guardians to learn more about the college search process and other topics like financial aid and high school course selection.
“We want families in our community to know that an education at a top-tier university like Georgetown is within their reach — even if they do not have access to luxury services like admissions consultants or expensive tutors,” said George Comer, professor of finance and academic coordinator of Georgetown Reach. “I have been informally working with families in our community for many years, and I have seen how the knowledge and experiences we share through Georgetown Reach can make a difference in the lives of our children.”
The program extends beyond the campus experience with regular online check-ins with students and guardians about the college process that will continue through the time their child graduates from high school.
“Through these additional touchpoints, our goal is to partner with families to ensure they continue to have access to information at every step of the way,” said Bonnie Montano, teaching professor of operations and information management and program director of Georgetown Reach. “Their needs will evolve from understanding how to select the right courses in high school to navigating the financial aid process to beginning the college search journey. We hope to continue to be a positive resource for many years.”
The program will occur three different times this summer — July 6-10, July 13-17, and July 20-24. Each day will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with discussions on current events, classes on personal finance and data analysis, a group activity, and time to reflect on the day’s lessons. Each Friday also will feature a closing session where students present their work from the week to their guardians.
Application materials can be found on the Georgetown Reach website, and inquiries can be emailed to reach@georgetown.edu.
Georgetown Reach is the latest initiative of Georgetown University to empower minority and low-income students in the D.C. region to attain a college education while alleviating some of the obstacles associated with access to higher education. Georgetown University offers additional pre-college and summer programs for middle and high school students through the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access and the School of Continuing Studies.