REACH AP Prep
“I’d wonder what economic backgrounds those people are coming from?” When he won for scoring a 5 last year, he spent the money at Barnes & Noble. “I splurged on Barron’s books,” he said, referring to the publisher of test preparation guides.
—Derek Zimmerman, a senior at Frederick Douglass Academy, when told there were people who criticized linking cash rewards to academic success
“My dad recently passed away from lymphoma, so you know it’s harder for me. I have five other brothers. So you know if I was told I can make money for a test I can take, of course I’m going to work a lot harder. It’s going to put me to the test, to see if I can actually improve my scores from last year.”
—Karim Abouelnaga, Long Island City High School (15 years old)
“I’m striving to go to NYU. That’s the college of my dreams and I know it costs a lot of money, and a lot of money that my parents can’t afford.”
—Veronica Lliguichuzca, a sophomore at Long Island City High School
“It [the money] is an extra motivation to do better on the test but I think that doing well on the test is most important, because if you get a 5 that looks great for your college application.”
—A student at Frederick Douglass Academy
“I mean it’s almost like a trophy to show all the hard work you’ve done, it pays off in the end.”
—Ben Antoine, Long Island City High School (11th grader)
REACH Forward College Mentoring
“REACH has helped me become more serious about my academics. REACH has especially helped me with my AP exam scores. REACH Forward has shown me a large variety of universities to look at. My REACH Forward mentor has helped me improve my skills with senior interviews and beginning the college application process.”
—Angela Bui, Aquinas, junior
“REACH has helped me in preparing for college level courses and has made paying for college a little easier. REACH Forward has helped me in my college process by giving me information about scholarships and helping me with essays. My REACH Forward mentor gave me feedback on my essays and helped me to organize my ideas in an effective and concise way. She helped me select UPenn as my top college choice and gave me additional information about UPenn’s activities and life outside of school.”
—Tina Baffoe, Aquinas, senior
“REACH and REACH Forward have helped me with the college process. Before being in this program I didn’t really know what colleges I wanted to go to, or what the college process was. This program showed me what colleges look for on applications and how I can make the college process less stressful than it has been. The mentors on my REACH Forward team helped me with my college essay topic. Its going to be about the summer program I’m in.”
—Immanie Wiltshire, DeWitt Clinton
“The REACH Program has given me a sense of accomplishment and hope. I now believe I am good enough to compete with the rest of my peers nationwide. REACH provided me with resources I would not have known about otherwise.”
—Jessica Bontemps, Clara Barton
“REACH Forward helped ease my application process and clarified the interview process for me. It also informed me about the best schools and how to get in. My REACH Forward mentor helped me with my personal essay. She helped me perfect my topic and hone in on the best way to get who I am across. My mentor helped me with college selection and the perfect major for me on my path to becoming a lawyer.”
—Ana Alicia Sampson, Benjamin Banneker
“REACH gave me the confidence to apply to schools I thought I could not apply to. My REACH Forward mentor gave me the motivation to continue and not give up!!! She made sure my writing was the best it can be.”
—Cecelia Hernandez, FDA
“REACH was the only program that actually inspired me to study for my AP exams. REACH Forward gave me the opportunity to do something that is very unique. It [enabled] me to actually spend time with a mentor who went to Harvard.”
—Jannatul Rahman, Clara Barton HS
“REACH Forward helped me better understand the college application process. REACH also inspired me to set my goals much higher.”
—Olha Lysa, HPHS
“REACH Forward has helped me in my college applications and REACH helped me prepare for my AP exams. Thank You Very Much!!! Tami [my mentor], you do not know how much help you were. I can’t even imagine doing this process without you… I will certainly keep you updated. Thank you for all your time.”
—Randy Garcia, Frederick Douglass Academy
“REACH Forward helped narrow down what to do for college and how to handle the process.”
—Fernando Palaguachi, Long Island City
“Perhaps the most important factor that REACH Forward has offered to us as scholars is the backstage access to information not regularly provided to other students. REACH Forward gave me insight into how college applications are reviewed, alternative paths for student financial aid, and direct information from the perspectives of alumni of top U.S. colleges. My mentor was able to provide me with real-life advice that definitely had an impact on my college process. It enabled me to maintain an open mind and not be constrained by school or life obstacles.”
—Dustin Calumpit, Grover Cleveland
“REACH Forward helped me understand that it’s never too early to begin planning for college! REACH also helped me prepare for, and succeed on, AP exams. [My mentor] helped me with the college process by giving me advice before the campus tour that I took at Rutgers.”
—Tanesha Beebe, Health Professions HS
“REACH has not only helped me with my AP exams, but with the whole transition from high school into college. REACH Forward gave me the confidence to apply to top schools without fear of not getting accepted.”
—Miguel Perez, Health Professionals HS
“REACH Forward has provided me with a great mentor who helped me so much with the college application process. REACH Forward has also provided me with great opportunities to get the inside scoop [on the application process]. My mentor has helped me narrow down my college choices. She has also helped me with selecting essay topics.”
—Anissa Bawa, DeWitt Clinton HS
“REACH Forward has provided me with general skills that will be transferrable to college and classes that I am now taking in high school. My REACH Forward mentor gave me valuable insights for how to approach my college essay and information on one of my top choice schools, the University of Pennsylvania.”
—Shaday Fermin, Aquinas
“REACH Forward has helped me realize the importance of the college application process. Thanks to REACH, I now feel confident about applying to college without fear of what information I need to provide in an application or interview. My mentor helped me by providing his own view about how to look and apply for the college that best fits me. Thanks to the information he gave me, I’ve learned how to handle the college application process.”
—Oscar Perri, DeWitt Clinton
