CARA’s peer-led college access and persistence programs help first-generation-to-college students define and realize their postsecondary aspirations with support from their peers, from application through persistence.
Peer Leaders are carefully selected and rigorously trained high school and college students who are paid to work within their own schools and communities. They work along various points in the access and persistence process, providing one-on-one counseling and group support to help their peers matriculate into and persist through postsecondary education.
CARA Ensures Peer Leaders Have:
- 70-80 hours of training
- A clearly defined role within their schools
- Financial compensation for their work
- Time in the daily schedule that they can work consistently with students
- Strong adult supervision
- Data tools to allow them to track and evaluate their work
- A community of peers across NYC with whom to share best practices and resources
- Meaningful career exploration and development opportunities
Peer-to-Peer Programs
- Learn More About Right to College
Trains and positions high school students to support their peers through the post-secondary planning process.
- Learn More About College Bridge
Trains and positions college students to work in their alumni high schools assisting seniors’ application and matriculation process.
- Learn More About College Allies
Trains and positions college students to support their peers in college through the obstacles to persistence.
What Peer Leaders Do
Access
Support 9th-12th grade high school students to make thoughtful and informed decisions about college, addressing questions like: What colleges would be a good fit for me? Can I afford to go to college? What do colleges look for in an applicant? How do I complete all the steps of the application process?
Matriculation
Work with seniors throughout the year in order to effectively support them over the summer as they cross the bridge from high school to college and wonder: What do I do if I still haven’t received a financial aid package from the college I want to attend? What is a reasonable amount to take out in loans? What is a Master Promissory Note?
Persistence
Support college students as they transition into and persist through college, confronting questions like: What can I do to feel a part of a community on my campus? How do I navigate these new systems I am expected to use? Who can help me when I am struggling with a class? What do I do if my financial status has changed when it is time to refile for FAFSA?
Peer Leader Training
All Peer Leaders receive 70+ hours of training.
Peer Leadership for College Access & Success Core Competencies
Peer Leadership for College Access & Success Professional Capacities
