70 students visiting USA for summer programs

70 students visiting USA for summer programs

Chances are if you have been into the US College Counseling office within the last three months, you’ve seen students crowding the halls, asking questions, and presenting the staff with news! Since the organized chaos of summer programs began in December, we have seen 278 students in our eight information sessions, over 300 applications to various programs, and are sending almost 70 students to the States for a summer program as of now. Students will be attending programs at universities such as University of Michigan, Stevens Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Tufts University, Lehigh University, Boston University, Brown University, Northwestern University, McNeese State University, Purdue University, and Smith College among many others. 

Our goal is to allow as many students as are interested to go to the States for an academic summer program in a university or similar setting. When students come to us with high financial need, we strive to do our best to place them in a program where they will excel academically and socially and where their needs will be met whenever possible. Eva Kanellis, Director of US College Counseling, shed light on how these programs have grown throughout our office in the past few years, reaching students who are not only US bound for university but who are genuinely interested in improving their English and developing relationships with students and faculty outside of Anatolia. “This program was designed to familiarize students with US institutions. The numbers were very high this year but due to the crisis not all students could go. We have recently refocused a bit to include meaningful opportunities in Greece, including internships, mentorships, and selected classes at ACT. Non US bound students appreciate this opportunity just as much as our students who are interested in furthering their education in the US”.

This year has been an exceptionally exciting year with more students doing internships, community service, and new programs. Many of the programs we have worked with in the past are growing exponentially and are giving our students more scholarships than ever! In the limelight this year is the Northfield Mount Hermon Summer School hosted in Mount Hermon, Massachusetts. This program gives students the “opportunity to further build academic skills, advance in their course work, and prepare for college” (nmhschool.org). Students have the opportunity to meet others from all over the world, take challenging academic classes, engage in athletics, and build a strong community. Last summer, Leighanne Regan, College Counselor and Coordinator of the Anatolia Student Development Center, visited NMH to further develop our relationship with this prestigious program.  For over 30 years the program has accepted one or two Anatolia students annually, providing each with a full scholarship ($7,300).

“When I met with the director we toured the campus and while we discussed our excellent students, he turned to me and said ‘do you have any more kids like this at Anatolia?’ I answered ‘Yes, many?’ ‘Well, if they are of this caliber, we would welcome more applications for next summer and we’ll try to find financial aid for them.’  And they did!”, says Regan.  Students showed an overwhelming interest in the program this year and we all worked hard to make sure that all committed students could attend - with a scholarship. Of the 18 students who originally showed interest in the program, 11 applied and were accepted to the program. Our 11 students received a total of $65,800 in scholarships, with two receiving full scholarships and the others receiving enough to meet their need!

As we approach Easter Break and begin to celebrate this spring season, we also congratulate all of our seniors who have confirmed their positions in US universities to begin in the fall. We hope that this summer is as successful for all as it has been for our students. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to come by our office on the bottom floor of White House.

By Mari Prauer, US College Counseling Fellow