Grades 10–12
Rising Star
A free three-year college-readiness program that starts in sophomore year, with volunteer mentors and instructors.
At a glance
- Grades
- Sophomore year through senior year
- Time
- 4–6 hours a month during the school year, online
- Cost
- Free to students and families
- Who can apply
- A 3.0 unweighted GPA and eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch
Your grades are good, you juggle school with everything else in your life, and you have big plans — college, a career, taking care of the people you love. What you may not have yet are the resources, support and know-how to get there. Rising Star connects driven students with the people, preparation and possibilities to succeed in college.
How it works
- People — you’re matched with volunteers who support you, and you join a peer-to-peer online community.
- Preparation — personalized feedback on your college essays.
- Possibilities — two summer programs that give you the full college experience.
What we ask of you
- Show up. Sessions meet online monthly in sophomore year, every two weeks in junior year, and weekly in the first semester of senior year (September to May, not including holidays).
- Do the work. Sessions come with in-session and some out-of-session assignments, and students complete all of them.
Questions
Not sure whether you qualify? Email us and ask — that’s what we’re here for.