Our Program
At Minds Matter Portland, our volunteers work with talented students on Saturdays during the school year to strengthen their academic skills, gain acceptance to college summer programs, and ultimately earn admission to four-year universities. Our program is a three-year commitment, beginning with the application process during Freshman Year.
Freshman Year – The Application Process
Students interested in joining Minds Matter are recommended by their high school guidance counselors or teachers during the fall and winter.
Information sessions at participating high schools give students the opportunity to learn about the program and decide whether they are ready to commit to the three-year journey.
The application opens in the spring. Selected students are invited for interviews, and acceptance emails are sent out in the summer.
Junior Year – Building the Walls
Junior students continue working with tutors and mentors to prepare for college and future careers.
Tutoring and SAT Prep: Students continue developing writing and math skills, with added emphasis on SAT preparation.
Skill-building: Student-mentor teams continue to refine professional and critical thinking skills, explore career interests, and develop College Knowledge.
Apply to Second Summer Program: Mentors continue supporting summer program applications, leading to attendance at the second summer program after junior year.
Sophomore Year – Laying the Foundation
Sophomore students enter the program in the fall and are paired with another student and two college-graduate mentors.
Tutoring: Students work with tutors to improve math and writing skills.
Skill-building: Sophomore students engage in team-building exercises, critical thinking activities, workshops, and discussions to strengthen essential academic and life skills.
Apply to Summer Programs: Mentors guide students in selecting and applying to summer programs.
The summer after sophomore year, students attend their first summer program, gaining firsthand experience of college life.
Senior Year – Putting It All Together
In their senior year, students are joined by a college counselor to guide them through the final stages of college preparation.
College Advising: With the help of college counselors and mentors, students complete college and financial aid applications, and scholarships.
College Readiness: Mentors help prepare students for a transition to college, preparing them academically and socially for success in higher education.
Pre-College Summer Programs
Every Minds Matter student attends two pre-college summer programs. Students have attended programs at some of the country’s top public and private universities, including:
Boston College
Boston University
Brown University
Columbia University
Georgetown University
Harvard University
Smith College
Stanford University
UCLA
University of Chicago
University of Notre Dame
Yale University
