Minnesota Program Helps 98 Percent of its Students Gain Admission to College

Madison, Wis. - Admission Possible is expanding its after-school college preparatory program to include students at Como Park High School in St. Paul, Minnesota. An $80,000 grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation will allow Admission Possible to help 40 more promising, low-income students obtain admission to college.

Only about one in 17 young people from the nation's poorest families can expect to earn a bachelor's degree by age 24. The goal of Admission Possible is to overcome the challenges these students face by providing free ACT and SAT test preparation, college application assistance, help in obtaining financial aid, and guidance in transitioning to college. Overall, 98 percent of students served by Admission Possible have been admitted to college and 80 percent of the students who enrolled have graduated or are still working toward their degree.

"Expanding into Como Park High School allows us to provide two years of intensive college preparatory services to promising, low-income juniors," said Jim McCorkell, Chief Executive Officer of Admission Possible. "By providing our students with both the guidance and the basic tools necessary to compete effectively, Admission Possible dramatically improves their chances of attending a college or university."

"Admission Possible boasts one of the highest success rates among college access programs nationally," said Richard D. George, President and Chief Executive Officer of Great Lakes. "Like Great Lakes, they are committed to preparing low-income students for college. Working together, we will help more Minnesota students enroll in college, graduate, and build a brighter future for themselves and for the state of Minnesota."

For more information about Admission Possible, contact Jim McCorkell at 651-917-3525. For more information about Great Lakes' outreach initiatives, contact Amy Kerwin at 608-246-1785.

Posted 07/30/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Posting of press releases is done as a service to Members and does not imply endorsement or support by NASFAA. NASFAA does not review this information for content or accuracy.