AndoverMagSpring2015

Gil TalbotMathematics & Science for Minority StudentsA three-summer residential program held on the Phillips Academy campus, (MS) 2 teaches math,science, and study skills and offers college counseling to talented and motivated Latino, AfricanAmerican, and Native American students from economically disadvantaged areas around the country.College counseling has always been partof the (MS) 2 curriculum, with third-yearstudents learning about applications,financial aid, essay writing, and the art ofthe interview, but historically that has beenlimited to their time on campus. Althoughmost have guidance counselors to workwith once they’re back at their homeschools, (MS) 2 Director Dianne Cruz wasconcerned that opportunities were beingmissed and that some aspects of the processmight be falling through the cracks.“It was hard for me to get follow-upinformation as to where the studentshad applied, if they needed any help, andhow the college application process wasgoing,” says Cruz. Last summer, as theprogram was winding down, studentswere told that (MS) 2 college counselorLaShawn Springer would be availablethrough the school year to help them onan as-needed basis, gratis. And althoughnot all of the 40 third-year students tookher up on the offer, Springer says manywere interested in continuing to workwith her, on their essays in particular.“(MS) 2 is such a time of growth that bythe time summer ends, many students arestill reflecting on the experiences they’vejust had. Sometimes, at that point, anotheressay emerges,” says Springer, adding thather familiarity with the program meansshe can provide more pointed feedback onessays than a school counselor might. Inaddition, the writing portion of the (MS) 2college counseling course is largely focusedon the personal statement, so the extratime allows Springer and the students towork together on the larger essays. That’sespecially helpful for those who apply to beGates Millennium Scholars, for which theyare required to write some eight essays,and those seeking a college match throughQuestbridge, which requires differentessays altogether.Regan Allen, an (MS) 2 student fromChicago, worked with Springer inapplying to college through Questbridgethis winter—not only on improving hisessays, but also in soliciting informationon time management, the importanceof what to fill out when, and how to findscholarships.Gil TalbotAbove: (MS) 2 collegecounselor Walter Pineda(center) offers adviceto Brenda Macias andChase Warren, both(MS) 2 ’15.Regan Allen,(MS) 2 ’14,celebratesgraduationin August.College applications require a lot of organization,says Allen, but the focus paidoff. He was accepted by Georgia Tech,the University of Illinois, and Purdue,and will study engineering. Other (MS) 2students also fared well, with Brown, Yale,Bates, Smith, and Dartmouth among theschools sending acceptance letters.Sarah Zobel is a Vermont-based writer ofprofiles and features, primarily on health,wellness, and education.•1965The PA Steering Committee calls forgreater diversity in social, economic, racial,and ethnic backgrounds of Andover students.It also calls for a “more Catholic atmosphere.”| | | Trustees abolish PA’s workThe PA Steering Committee34 Andover | Spring 2015•1965system for scholarship students.•1967proposes coeducation.