Scholars to College
Serving students in grades 9-12
Scholars to College ensures that high school students challenge themselves academically and personally and explore their unique leadership potential, ultimately becoming high school seniors who are scholarship-eligible, college-ready, and admissible to their best-fit colleges and universities.
Scholars to College is a free, cohort-model college readiness program serving high school students in grades 9-12. The program is designed to assist ambitious, academically-focused, and underrepresented first-generation students from Durham County and prepare them for success at selective four-year colleges and universities. Through weekly small group instruction, one-on-one guidance from a dedicated College Readiness Counselor, and summer enrichment opportunities, students receive holistic support in the areas of college planning, personal management and leadership, academic skill development and career exploration. To date, nearly 100% of our Scholars to College graduates have been accepted to college.
A typical Scholars to College student resides in Durham County, North Carolina and is enrolled in high school. To be eligible for Scholars to College, students must meet income qualifications which are based on federal low income guidelines and updated annually.
Strong candidates for the program are generally students with strong academic focus and robust family support. Additionally, students must demonstrate strong personal character, work ethic, and integrity, as evidenced through teacher recommendations, personal statements, and an interview.
Benefits of the Scholars to College program include:
- An assigned College Readiness Counselor to work one-one-one with your student
- Weekly small group instruction
- SAT/ACT preparation
- One-on-one subject area tutoring, if desired
- Spring break college tours
- Career and college major exploration opportunities
- Summer enrichment via camps and travel
- College application and financial aid application support
- A network of program alumni
Applications for the 2023-2024 Scholars to College program are now available! Please note the priority application deadline of March 24, 2023. Applications can be picked up at the Emily K Center or downloaded from the links below.
Applications will be reviewed after the application window closes, and student interviews will be held in late April and May. Students who most closely meet the admissions profile are considered the strongest candidates and will be contacted for an interview. Families will be notified of student selections by May. The application process is a competitive one. Questions? Contact us at scholarstocollege@emilyk.org.
**School counselors who collect complete applications on behalf of their students should contact scholarstocollege@emilyk.org to arrange a pick up on or before March 24, 2023 (application priority deadline).**
NOTE: We prefer that students fill out the application online. However, students may also download and print the application. Applications are also available at the Emily K Center.
APPLY ONLINE:
2023-2024 Scholars to College Application
DOWNLOAD AND PRINT:
2023-2024 Scholars to College Application – English
Have a Question?
Impact
The Class of 2020 had an average college acceptance rate of
88 %
85 %
of juniors are meeting ACT benchmarks in English and math compared to 59% (English) and 39% (math) of their peers nationally
On average, the Class of 2020 has
77 %
of first-year college costs covered by grants and scholarships
Meet the Scholars to College Team
Nikole Nickerson
Director of College Readinessnnickerson@emilyk.org
919-680-0308 x2004
Nikole joined the Emily K Center team in May 2022 as our director of college readiness. Nikole is well-poised to guide our high school students on their paths to college, having received an undergraduate degree and Master of Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master of Public Administration from Clemson University. She is also currently pursuing her doctorate in education at Appalachian State University.
Favorite book: The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Favorite school supply: Definitely a fresh new planner
Monserrat Banda
College Readiness Counselor, Class of 2026mgodinez@emilyk.org
919-680-0308 x4002
Monserrat joined the Emily K Center team in the summer of 2021 working with our elementary and middle school students. During 2022, she transitioned into the role of college readiness counselor with our Scholars to College program. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Monserrat is no stranger to the Center — she is a proud Emily K Center alumna and we’re so glad to have her on our staff team!
Favorite school supply: Sticky notes!
Best advice ever received about education: Make learning fun however you can! (I used colored gel pens for my notes.)
Joshua Crump
College Readiness Counselor, Class of 2025jcrump@emilyk.org
919-680-0308
Joshua joined the Emily K Center in 2021 as a college readiness counselor. In this role, Joshua works closely with students in our 2025 Scholars to College cohort. A proud North Carolina Central University Eagle, Joshua earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the school.
Favorite book: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Favorite college course: Diversity and Family Transition
Ginny Larkin-Thorsen
College Readiness Counselor, Class of 2024glarkinthorsen@emilyk.org
9190680-0308 x 2005
Ginny began her role as college readiness counselor for the Emily K Center Scholars to College program in early 2022. She is currently working closely with the Class of 2022 as they make their college decisions. Ginny earned her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her MPA from North Carolina State University.
Favorite late-night college snack: Frozen garlic bread
Favorite school supply: Notebooks and pens!
MaKayla Leak
Lead College Readiness Counselor, Class of 2023mleak@emilyk.org
919-680-0308 x2005
MaKayla joined the Center in 2019 and currently serves as a college readiness counselor for the Class of 2023. She earned her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Favorite late-night college snack: Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos
Favorite college course: Social Anthropology
Shanice Green
Scholars to College Program Assistantsgreen@emilyk.org
919-680-0308
Shanice joined the Emily K Center in September of 2021, serving as our Scholars to College program assistant. Shanice earned her undergraduate degree from North Carolina Central University and received her M.Ed. from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Favorite school supply: Colorful pens
Favorite late-night college snack: Peanut M&Ms
Volunteer With Scholars to College
Scholars to College subject area tutors work with our high school students in a one-on-one setting in a variety of subjects, with the greatest need in math and the sciences. Volunteers in this role have expertise in a subject area relevant to high school coursework and experience tutoring or teaching. The time commitment is generally one hour per week during after-school or early evening hours, depending on student schedules. Once matched, tutors and students are asked to commit to these one-hour, weekly sessions for the duration of the student’s semester. Anyone interested in serving as a volunteer subject area tutor should contact our team at scholarstocollege@emilyk.org. (Please include your resume!) Tutoring for the 2022-2023 school year will be offered Monday-Thursday from 5:00 – 6:15 p.m.
Student Spotlight
Meet Oyinkan and Oyinda, Class of 2020
Twins Oyinkan and Oyinda first came to the Emily K Center as elementary school students in our Pioneer Scholars program and recently graduated with the Class of 2020. During her time at the Center, Oyinkan was involved with the National Honors Society and had an internship with Duke University Hospital. Oyinda took full advantage of the summer enrichment activities available to her during her time in Scholars to College, including a summer immersion program at Wake Forest University which allowed her to learn more about a career in medicine. Both Oyinkan and Oyinda are currently enrolled at UNC-Chapel Hill and now participate in our Scholars on Campus program. Oyinda recently shared, “My past ten years at the Center have shaped me into who I am today.”
