Program Overview

The District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is thrilled to host College and Scholarship Conversations again in 2024! This is an invite-only event that connects high-achieving District of Columbia public and charter school students with both selective institutions of higher education (IHE) and supportive scholarship organizations.

Exposure

College and Scholarship Conversations allows qualified students an opportunity to be introduced to a range of academically rigorous colleges and universities, as well as exceptional scholarship organizations that students may not be familiar with but may be a better fit for their abilities and offer greater financial aid. Additionally, students gain exposure to the more nuanced admission processes of selective colleges and universities and financial aid organizations.

Students will meet admission counselors and scholarship organization representatives in a more personal setting than a traditional college fair through topical panel discussions and intimate small group conversations. Our goal is to introduce qualified students to a range of academically rigorous institutions and phenomenal scholarship organizations that offer exceptional financial and mentoring opportunities.

Undermatching

Undermatching is a phenomenon in American higher education in which well-qualified students, often from less affluent households, do not apply to competitive colleges and universities. Undermatched students often attend less-demanding higher education institutions or don't continue their educational journeys at all.

College and Scholarship Conversations directly addresses the national issue of undermatching by exposing students to some of the most selective colleges and universities in the nation; colleges and universities in which many students in the District are not traditionally exposed as well as financial aid organizations that offer financial assistance, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

Whom We Invite - Students

Invited students include top 5 seniors from every high school in DC; high school seniors participating in dual enrollment and early college opportunities with a 3.5 cumulative GPA or higher; and students who have participated in OSSE Scholars, a unique program that sends District students to rigorous college summer programs throughout the nation.

Whom We Invite – Colleges and Scholarship Organizations

Our goal is to introduce qualified students to a range of academically rigorous institutions and scholarship organizations highlighting the exceptional opportunities offered by the schools and scholarship organizations invited to this event. A list of criteria used to identify participating institutions and organizations can be found below:

• Selective admissions criteria and rankings;
• Test score optional schools;
• Colleges with generous financial aid packages;
• Strong support programs for students;
• Schools that traditionally do not recruit from DC public and DC public charter schools; and
• Schools where we currently have partnerships through OSSE Scholars.

Participating Colleges and Universities:

Barnard College, Bates College, Bowdoin College, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Emory University, Fisk University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Harvard University, Haverford College, John Hopkins University, Macalester College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Middlebury College, Morehouse College, New York University, Northwestern University, Oberlin College, Pomona College, Princeton University, Syracuse University, The University of Chicago, Tulane University, University of California -Berkeley, University of Maryland, University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt University, Vassar College, Washington College, Washington University in St. Louis, and Wellesley College

Participating Scholarship Organizations:

The Abramson Scholarship Foundation, Education Opportunity Center, The Esperanza Education Fund, George Washington University, The David M. Rubenstein/Economic Club of Washington, D.C. Scholarship Program, Infinite Legacy, Posse Foundation, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, College Success Foundation DC, Junior League of Washington

For more information or questions, please contact Kimberly Romero at [email protected].