DreamHouse College Initiative
The pathway to college starts today.
The DreamHouse College Initiative is a time intensive, multi-year commitment that will help DreamHouse student leaders navigate the journey to a competitive four year college or university. The Initiative is 100% opt-in and voluntary, however, it will require incredible effort, prioritization, and commitment. Those who participate, starting in the 7th grade, will have multiple years of coaching, support, mentorship, and development in areas of academics, extracurriculars, test prep, applications, scholarships, recommendations, and more. DreamHouse student leaders will earn the opportunity to visit colleges and universities in the continental United States, engage in summer fellowships and camps, and make active connections to alumni and admissions representatives at top colleges and universities. The goal of DreamHouse College Initiative is to open doors of possibility and help student leaders achieve their post-secondary goals.
7th Grade
College can be a realistic, attainable, affordable goal that you can set for yourself now. However, if you really want this, you will have to commit now to making decisions that will affect you years from now.
10th Grade
10th grade marks the official beginning of ACT and SAT prep, FAFSA training, virtual college tours, coordination with alumni, admissions representatives, and counselors. At this point, students leaders will have a projected list of schools they are working towards, building inroads at, and preparing application materials in anticipation of Junior Year visits and application building.
8th Grade
Following a preliminary semester is 7th grade that better frames the pathway to college, what is required from an academic, personal, and financial standpoint, and what it will take to get there, 8th grade will feature monthly meetings, mentorship and coaching, and practice sessions to immerse student leaders in the rigor and expectations of a high caliber portfolio and application to top schools. Student leaders will select “dream schools,” go on virtual tours, and begin shaping big goals for their high school journey. This is a pivotal year.
11th Grade
Junior year marks a critical moment of college preparation with testing, application development, and the all-important college visit to imagine oneself in higher education and in college. This year will be a moment of transformation from preparation to application.
9th Grade
The beginning of high school is critical moment in the journey towards college and higher education. This is when the “high school transcript” comes into focus, extracurriculars, community service, and your overall portfolio that you will present to colleges Junior/Senior year. Student leaders involved in the College Initiative at this point will work closely with advisors and each other to ensure consistent, deliberate progression towards their goals.
12th Grade
The journey - since the 7th grade - has led to this moment: submitting your college application. Counselors, advisors, and alumni will be alongside of you to finalize and submit your application to your top college choices. Additional supports including scholarships, financial aid, logistics, and transition planning take place this year.
PICTURE YOURSELF
UPCOMING EVENTS
The College Initiative will begin in September 2021 and will be open to 7th and 8th graders. More information will be sent shortly.
“NEED BLIND” COLLEGES
NEED BLIND Colleges and Universities offer unprecedented financial aid and support to admitted students. A list of NEED BLIND colleges and universities is here.
DreamHouse will make an intentional, concerted effort to promote these schools to our student leaders within the College Initiative. We know these schools are highly competitive, but we also know that the financial aid and support can unlock doors of opportunity for our children and place them in advantageous financial situations during and after college. This is not to say these are the only schools we support; however, we do acknowledge the very real financial burden that is placed on children and families from the Hawaiian Islands and our work is to increase possibility and opportunity for our children through the College Initiative.
FUTURE PARTNERS
Would you like to partner with DreamHouse to help get our kids into top colleges and universities? Please contact us today.
PHILOSOPHY
The Philosophy of College Initiative is grounded in the belief that the decision to say yes or no to college should be for all children. We know the pathway to post-secondary education begins much earlier than our children are traditionally supported, and that beginning a “do you want to go to college” conversation in 10th or 11th grade is often too late for many, many schools. Our belief is that an on-going, multi-year conversation and partnership (school, student, family, college, resources, supports) will open doors of opportunity that have been unprecedented for children in our community. We commit to this philosophy and belief and know that the College Initiative is one step on the journey towards higher education and success.