VCUEI Exploring College

The program aims to better prepare high school students with combined high academic achievement and low income backgrounds for admission and success in college. Exploring College is part of the Vassar College Urban Education Initiative (VCUEI).

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Throwback Thursday!! Throwback to our visit to Columbia + Barnard!

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March 6, 2018

EC students at Vassar senior Camilla Chee’s writing workshop, held every Tuesday from 3-5 PM

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A Glimpse @ Exploring College Summer Intensive 2017

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EC Scholars enjoying Shadow Day @ Vassar College 

Nov. 10, 2017

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2017 ECSI (Summer Intensive) Dates and General Info!

Hello hello! We would like to announce that the dates for this upcoming summer intensive program are from July 12th-July 30th.  (Mark your calendars; seriously, right now, we’ll wait.)  Details and applications (all the good stuff) will come soon.

ECSI is a two week summer enrichment program.  You’ll live on campus (yes, that’s right, the dorm life) and take three classes; two of those classes are academic (they’re still pretty cool!) and one is more creatively driven.  All meals are included, cool people (*ahem*, us), games and activities, and did we mention field trips?!

Exploring College is based on college readiness. With ECSI, you can dive in and experience college life for yourself.  Who knows, maybe you’ll discover something that you hadn’t realized before.

But keep your ears open and eyes peeled!  This is just the beginning!

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Exploring College saving the planet--or at least cleaning our local creek. EC joined the Vassar Environmental Cooperative in the annual Main St/Fall Kill cleanup last Saturday, April 16th.  More community service events to come!

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We Want to Hear From You!

I hope you've enjoyed looking back at the last few months--I know I've had a blast:) If you have any thoughts about some of EC's fall events, questions about upcoming ones, or would just like to share your own experiences, feel free to submit--after all, this is YOUR platform!

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Our Shadow Day last fall was a huge success! On November 11th, 2015, EC scholars spent the full day at Vassar College where they attended classes, learned about institutional resources, visited an art exhibit, and attended a discussion panel led by Vassar students.

Each scholar spent the first part of their day paired up with a Vassar student. They shadowed them as they went to classes and were exposed to the typical life of a college student. AFRS 385: Gender in the Civil Rights Movement, POLI 150: Comparative Politics, and MATH 221: Linear Algebra were only a few courses in the broad range of classes scholars were a part of.

Later, scholars went to visit Vassar’s Career Development Office to gain knowledge on institutional resources how to take advantage of them early on. The day was wrapped up by a panel discussion (see above) led by three Vassar students: Kayla Fisher ‘17, Roger Vera ‘18, and Cody Harmon ‘19. The scholars asked important and crucial questions on topics such as race and identity in a predominately white institution, financial aid, and choosing the right school.

We want to thank all our EC scholars, EC mentors, and the members of the Vassar College community who made sure that our Shadow Day was one of the best ones yet.

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A Busy November

November was host to a lot of EC events, including several visits to the Gordon Parks: The Making of an Argument exhibit at Vassar's Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center. The exhibit explored the groundbreaking photographer Gordon Parks' first Life magazine photo essay, "Harlem Gang Leader." The Loeb's curation of Parks' edited, unedited (see below) and unpublished images led to many discussions of "truth" in media, both during Parks' time and today. 

If you'd like to share your experiences from your visit or have questions, please comment.

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ICYMI--EC in Review, 2015-2016

Here's a few snapshots of some of EC's events from the last year.

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ECSI 2015's students and counselors in front of our dorm, Lathrop House, 7/25/15 #ThrowbackThursday

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We’re back!

We’re very excited to announce that Exploring College is back on Tumblr and Twitter @ecvcuei. We’ll be posting throughout the year about our events, field trips, and useful information that we want to share.

Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date with all EC activities and events throughout the year!

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Congratulations to our Seniors who have selected where they will be attending college next year!!

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We had such a great time at IYECon. Our student’s learned alot and got to see what going to college in NYC would be like. 

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More thoughts on IYECon

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Our Students Thoughts on IYECon

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Currently many of our Exploring College Scholars are writing their personal statements. Some were willing to tell you all a little bit about themselves.  This is Aaron! Future Interests: 

Jobs in Healthcare and  Occupational Therapy or Registered Nursing 

Why? 

I want to help people. For example, in Occupation Therapy you set goals with people so by the end of the month you could possibly help someone to be able to drive again after an injury. 

Do you have a possible major in mind?

Occupational Therapy  

Prospective Schools?

Mohawk Valley Community  College in Utica, NY

St.Elizabeths College in Utica, NY 

Duchess Community College  Poughkeepsie, NY 

What qualities do you value?

I value honesty, justice, and family. 

I think I have those qualities and I appreciate them in others. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I would like to be an Occupational Therapist in or around Duchess County.