Tulane program helps Louisiana students navigate the path to college

It had been an eye-opening two weeks for Kirsten, a rising high school senior from Baton Rouge.

As a participant in the Louisiana Center for College Access’ (LCCA) two-week summer residential program at Tulane University, she learned about every aspect of the college application process, from writing essays in the age of artificial intelligence to applying for scholarships and financial aid.  

An aspiring clinical psychologist, she toured Tulane and several other colleges, met admissions representatives at a college and career fair and learned how to craft an elevator pitch, a brief introduction designed to help her introduce herself and highlightwhat makes her a stand out for potential colleges and employers. 

But that wasn’t all. She lived for two weeks in a Tulane residence hall, dined at Malkin Sacks Commons and took a class titled Learning from Women of the Civil Rights Movement Past and Present. 

“It has really opened my eyes to everything that’s involved in applying to college,” Kirsten said. “It’s been very informative. And it makes me want to get as much done ahead of time as I can.”  

Such a reaction is exactly what the Tulane Division of Enrollment Management had in mind when it started LCCA in February 2021 as part of Louisiana Promise, a program initiated by President Michael A. Fitts to make a Tulane education more accessible for Louisiana students.  

While Louisiana Promise focuses on attracting high-caliber students to Tulane, LCCA serves students statewide, regardless of what college they plan to attend, by providing free college access resources, particularly for first-generation students and those from schools that lack substantial college counseling services.

Those resources include test preparation, college tours and workshops on essays, financial aid and scholarships. The two-week residential program, funded by generous donors, immerses prospective students in campus life. This year's residential program brought together 32 students from 29 high schools across 19 Louisiana parishes.

“These students represent some of the best young minds Louisiana has to offer, and all have earned scholarships to attend LCCA,” said Rebecca Ancira, associate vice president for enrollment management. “At the end of the program, our hope is that these students have the skills and confidence to navigate the college admissions process and create their strongest possible application, so that they can choose the college offer that is best for them.” 

As part of the program, each student is assigned a mentor to provide support and resources through high school graduation. The mentors are Tulane professionals like Latasha Simeon, a financial aid adviser in her third year of helping high school students navigate the complexities of the application process.

“What I try to do is link them to different resources and opportunities, to help them navigate the whole process,” Simeon said.

Simeon met her newest group of mentees at a Meet Your Mentor barbecue at the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life. Among those at her table was Skarleth, a rising junior at Riverdale High School in Old Jefferson and an aspiring physician.

“It’s important for me to participate in activities that help me explore college, especially financial aid and writing essays,” she said.  

Skarleth especially enjoyed being on Tulane’s campus.  

“It’s gorgeous,” she said. “I think it will be my first choice.”  

Madison of Lafayette had that exact feeling about Tulane when she participated in the LCCA residential program last summer.

She valued the experience so much that she returned this summer as a counselor, with just a few weeks to go before she begins her first year as a pre-med student at Tulane.  

“It opened doors I didn't know existed, and I wanted other students to have that same advantage,” she said.