University’s prep program boosts area students

For financially disadvantaged, a launching pad into higher education

By: Olivia Tattory
   The Princeton University Preparatory Program held a graduation ceremony for its senior class Wednesday in the Friend Center Lecture Hall.
   The 19 students, from Trenton Central High School, Ewing High School and Princeton High School are part of the fourth graduation ceremony conducted by the program.
   Princeton University President Shirley M. Tilghman spoke at the ceremony as well as the founders of the preparatory program. Student representatives from each high school also delivered speeches.
   "The ultimate goal is to get them to see anything is possible in terms of broadening their scope of where they can go to college," said Torey Wilson, associate director of the program. "They were able to realize through this particular program that they can think bigger and look at the notion that an Ivy League school is possible."
   The program, which identifies high school students in their sophomore year who are academically gifted but come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, offers students three summers of intense study on the Princeton University campus as well as academic enrichment during the school year. Six of the graduating students are from Princeton High School, the largest in the program’s seven years.
   The six weeks spent over the summer on the university’s campus includes courses in subjects such as art, math, biology, physics, social science, writing and college-preparation skills. Students are selected through a number of criteria beginning with guidance counselor recommendations from each high school. Once it’s determined the student fits the academic requirements of the program an informational meeting is held for the students and their families to learn more about the program.
   "This is when students fill out the application and it’s determined whether they meet the financial portion of requirements," said Mr. Wilson. A writing sample is then submitted as well as a small group interview for the students, explained Mr. Wilson. It through these standards students are chosen for the program.
   Members of the graduating class have been accepted to colleges and universities around the country, including Princeton University, Rutgers University, Notre Dame, Seton Hall University and Johns Hopkins University. Although the program is always looking for ways to grow it will not be expanding the number high schools from which the students are selected in the near future.
    "We want to make sure we have everything under control as far as our efforts right now are concerned," said Mr. Wilson.The Princeton High graduates and the schools they will attend are: Nicholas Antoine, Princeton University; Kyle Barron, Cornell University; Sheena Pradhan, Drexel University; Tony Tsai, Johns Hopkins University; Eleanor Van Der Veken, Tulane University; and Weitian "Mike" Xu, Carnegie Mellon University.