The objective of the Sophomore Program is to assist high school sophomores in gaining admission to competitive summer college preparatory programs in the U.S. In addition to offering a rigorous academic curriculum, this program empowers students with a sense of independence, teaches time management skills, helps develop new friendships with other students from diverse backgrounds, and provides a new perspective on the world.
Students are accepted into the Sophomore Program based on a rigorous and highly competitive application process, which includes academic credentials, financial criteria, personal essays, guidance counselor and teacher recommendations, and an interview.
Students are assigned a pair of mentors with whom they meet weekly throughout the school year. Mentors work with their students during sessions to select summer programs, prepare applications, create personal statements and essays, request letters of recommendation, and complete financial aid paperwork. Students also improve their basic academic skills and test-taking strategies for the SAT through the Test Prep Program, and improve their writing, logic and reasoning, presentation skills and understanding of current events through the Writing & Critical Thinking Program. Additionally, students participate in special workshops, panel discussions and field trips. After a student is admitted to a summer program and awarded a financial aid package, Minds Matter provides as much financial assistance as is needed to supplement the school’s award.
