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Coalition for College. Spring 2019 Presented by: Annie Reznik, Executive Director, Coalition for College. Our Mission.
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Coalition for College Spring 2019 Presented by:Annie Reznik, Executive Director, Coalition for College
Our Mission We help make college a reality for all students through MyCoalition, our set of free, online college-planning tools and application, that empowers students to learn about, prepare for, and make smart college choices. Our diverse member schools are united in their mission to support lower-income, under-resourced, and/or first-generation students; to provide responsible financial aid; and to bolster students’ success in college—and beyond.
Our Core Values • All students benefit from early engagement in the college application process; • Students deserve equal access to college-planning tools that support exploration and encourage self-reflection and discovery; • Students should receive the financial and academic support they need for success in college; • Efforts to promote access, affordability, and success are enhanced through the collaborative work of our Coalition member schools.
Our Members • 150+ colleges and universities from 38 states • 4-year graduation rate is 30 percentage points higher than the national average • Graduates average low debt and low loan default rates
MyCoalition MyCoalition, is a free college planning tool, with a Locker and Collaboration Space that engage students as early as ninth grade.
Locker + Collaboration Space The Locker gives students private, unlimited digital space to collect and organize important materials, such as documents, photos, and videos. The Collaboration Space is a virtual area to connect with mentors and ask for their input on your college plan. Collaborate on things like college lists, essays, or applications.
Fee Waiver • 23% did not pay application fees • Students who receive a Pell Grant qualify for a NACAC fee waiver when they apply to transfer • Veteran Fee Waiver
375+ community-based partners “The CCID Registry is more than just a compilation of organizations committed to college access. The registry is a critical step towards more inclusive and productive conversations in support of our shared goals.” ~Emmanuel Moses The Opportunity Network
Coalition Day Last year, 50 members participated in outreach events to introduce students to free resources • 2018 Video Link
2019 Application Volume • 350,000 applications • 44% (or over 100,000) more than last year • 23% fee waiver students • 7% of growth from transfer students
Counselor Usage • 29,895 counselors used MyCoalition this year • 35% were new users this cycle
Student Survey The Coalition Application was easy for me to use. 60.8% Agree or Strongly Agree 31.9% Neutral 7.1% Disagree or Strongly Disagree I would recommend MyCoalition to friends and/or family. 53.5% Agree or Strongly Agree 40.3% Neutral 6.0% Disagree or Strongly Disagree
Student Survey At the end of the survey we invited students to share more: 26% of survey responders gave additional feedback Their comments fell into 5 categories. • Feel free to share any suggestions, comments, concerns, compliments on how to make MyCoalition a better tool for high school students.
1. Spread the Word • Maybe advertise it more to freshman, so they can start using the locker early on to get the most use out of the application. • Advertise more to high schools. I never heard about mycoalition from my school but I did hear about it from one friend…were more advertising to students, too. • My counselors did not really discuss the app. Perhaps reach out to smaller high schools? • Advertising through social media is the best way go reach the high school population (Instagram ads, YouTube ads, Snapchat).
2. Help Counselors • Found that professionals weren't very familiar with the coalition app which made it difficult to use alongside other resources. • It was fairly easy for me to use personally, but my recommenders told me that they had a really difficult time using the platform. • Educate administration on how to use it, so they may better help their students with the features. • Better communication with counselors and teachers. My counselor had never heard of the Coalition App and her job is to help students apply for college.
3. Add More Schools • It did not cover as many colleges as the Common Application, and it would be helpful if the application was made more mainstream. • The only thing I could see that would make the Coalition application better and more utilized by all is if more schools accepted it. • Make more school systems accepting of it. • Keep expanding the schools that accept your applications; you're already a better service than Common App. It would be nice to be able to edit files in the Locker, too.
4. Appreciated the help • It felt personal, like I had my own college counselor working right along with me. • I thought that the Coalition application and the advice/pointer emails I received were right on point, timely and very helpful. • It's an easy to navigate website. Schools should include this in addition to the common app. • Coalition application is more useful especially to people who do not have guidance about college application.
5. I need more help • I’m a first generation student...I’d like it if there was an incredibly simplified explanation of how and why things matter. • Texting or e-mailing daily reminders on due dates and updated information could make the program even better. • During the college search process I would have benefited from college counselling…I suggest that the coalition find a way to offer free online. counselling, particularly for low-income students who don't have access to other resources. • Maybe offer youtube videos or tutorials for those having issues with the application process.
Conversation • Do you have ideas about incorporating MyCoalition into your process? • What can the Coalition provide to support your work with students? • Other topics?