Our Approach
GPS is an online community that provides advising for college-bound African American students. GPS operates on a platform that mimics Facebook, but functions like a pre-professional LinkedIn. The platform convenes a team of college counselors, admissions officers from GPS partner colleges, and the Ron Brown Scholar community to connect college-aspiring African American high school students to leadership opportunities and professional college/career guidance.
Educate
our students & families on the college application process by…
- Hosting year-round weekly webinars for juniors and seniors with individual advising sessions for sophomores
- Facilitating national conferences and events
- Posting relevant articles, videos, and resources to our exclusive social media platform
Advise
our students & families on their unique path by helping them…
- Find extra-curricular and summer enrichment opportunities
- Select advanced courses at their high schools that push them academically and intellectually so they’re prepared for the rigor of college (i.e. Honors, AP, IB, Dual Enrollment)
- Research and explore schools of interest to compile a college list that fits their academic and professional goals
- Complete financial aid forms (i.e. FAFSA and CSS Profile), assist with FAFSA verification and financial aid appeals
- Edit their personal statements, supplemental essays, scholarship essays, resumes, cover letters, and other writing pieces
- Prepare for college, scholarship, internship, and job interviews
Support
our students & families by connecting them to…
- Thousands of peers who can relate to one another as they walk down the same path as black college-bound high school students
- Hundreds of near-peer mentors who are current college students or recent college alumni, including Ron Brown Scholars and Captains, who stay connected to our program through mentorship
- A team of culturally-competent advisors who share many of the identities and backgrounds of our students, 80% of which are alumni of Ron Brown programs
- Leadership and career preparatory opportunities through programs like the the GPS Leadership Council, externships with corporate partners like General Catalyst and more
- Virtual events aimed at celebrating student achievements and supporting healthy mental practices, such as open mic nights, College Decision Day events, and monthly self care discussions
- A safe and affirming community for black students which they can access anytime and anywhere if they have an internet connection through their phone, tablet, or computer
GPS Financial Literacy work
We are committed to not only helping our students make a college education affordable through our hands-on involvement in their financial aid and scholarship processes, but also giving them a financial education that serves as their foundation for life. From guest workshops by investment analysts at Dodge & Cox and launching a financial literacy committee as part of our program’s leadership council to publishing a hub of personal finance resources, GPS has and will continue to provide the financial education that our students and families need and are seeking.
