University Of Chicago Programs Provide College Readiness

Teniola Ajagbe is a student at Gwendo-lyn Brooks College Prep and a Quest-Bridge Scholar who participated in the University of Chicago Space Explorers Program and will attend Northwestern University. PHOTO PROVIDED BY UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.
Teniola Ajagbe is a student at Gwendo-lyn Brooks College Prep and a Quest-Bridge Scholar who participated in the University of Chicago Space Explorers Program and will attend Northwestern University. PHOTO PROVIDED BY UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

University Of Chicago Programs Provide College Readiness

By Tia Carol Jones

Teniola Ajagbe always knew that she wanted to be an engineer. She didn’t have any experience with aerospace engineering. She decided to apply for the University of Chicago Space Explorers Program. The program provided the insight she needed for a career in the future as an engineer. During the program Ajagbe learned how to work with others and collect data, which are tools she will be able to use in her future career. Ajagbe has been accepted to Northwestern University, where she wants to study engineering.

The Space Explorers program is one of two free programs the University of Chicago offers that prepares students from Chicago Public Schools for college. The one-week intensive program takes place in the summer and students in ninth through eleventh grade stay on the University of Chicago campus. 

The science enrichment program is offered by the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics (KICP), in partnership with the UChicago Office of Civic Engagement. It gives participants the opportunity to meet and work with astronomers and physicists, interact with University faculty, staff, students and labs, while doing college-level math and science course work. The participants also take part in field trips and lab tours and develop skills for high school, college and a career.

Ajagbe is a student at Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep and a QuestBridge Scholar. She said being able to stay on campus during the program prepared her for going to Northwestern and staying on campus and what college life will be like for her in the fall. 

“There were so many new things that I learned, and I met so many different kinds of people. I think this program definitely helped me and the other participants solidify if going into STEM was something we wanted to do,” Ajagbe said.

Ann Merrell, Director of College and Career Readiness Programs, said the ultimate goal of the Space Explorers Program is to prepare CPS students for what college level rigor will be like and to prepare them for their transition to college. Merrell said it is important to have the students stay on campus for the Space Explorers program because it gives them the experience of what it is like to navigate a college campus each day and to attend daily classes, while interacting with other students

“Whether they go on to attend the University of Chicago or another wonderful institution, they are more comfortable, confident and prepared,” Merrell said. 

The Collegiate Scholars program is for CPS students who are in ninth grade. They stay in the free, three-year enrichment program until they graduate from high school. Students in this year-round program are immersed in a core curriculum which includes humanities, science, social science and math. It includes a six-week summer session and during the school year, participants attend college and career exploration events.

Students also go on tours to other college campuses, with the intent of helping students explore a variety of different college options. Merrell said the goal of the Collegiate Scholars program is to expose students to a variety of subject areas they may consider studying more, once they are in college. In the past, subject areas have included psychology, molecular engineering and philosophy.

The deadline for application for the Space Explorers program and the Collegiate Scholars program is on Feb.7th. To apply, visit www.ccreadiness.uchicago.edu.


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