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 2021-2022 Scholars to College program are now being accepted! Please note the application deadline of Thursday, April 1, 2021. Applications can be picked up at the Emily K Center or downloaded from the website below. Please call 919-680-0308 prior to coming to the Center to ensure the building is open — we are currently only open on Mondays and Wednesdays.
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 June. The application process is a competitive one. Questions? Contact us at scholarstocollege@emilyk.org.
2021-2022 Scholars to College Application
Scholars to College Application – English
Scholars to College Application – Spanish
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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
Camille Wilson
Director of College Readinesscwilson@emilyk.org
919-680-0308 x2004
Camille first joined the Emily K Center in 2013 as a curriculum specialist. Since then, she has held a variety of roles at the Center and currently serves as Director of College Readiness. Camille earned her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her M.A. in school counseling from North Carolina Central University.
Favorite Late-Night College Snack: Cool Ranch Doritos
Best Advice Received About Education: Education is one of the very few things that once you earn and own, no one can take away. No matter what else you do, earn your education.
Oscar Avilez Marquina
College Readiness Counselor, Class of 2024oavilez@emilyk.org
919-680-0308 x2005
Oscar joined the Emily K Center team in 2020 as the college readiness counselor for the class of 2024. He earned his B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his M.A. in higher education administration from the University of Maryland.
Favorite college course: College Access and Choice
Favorite school supply: Backpacks and binders
MaKayla Leak
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
James Malloy
College Readiness Counselor, Class of 2022jmalloy@emilyk.org
919-680-0308 x2005
James began working at the Emily K Center in 2018 as a college readiness counselor with the class of 2022. He earned his B.A. and M.A. in teaching from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Favorite book: When Breath Becomes Air
Best advice you received about education: Those who can, do. Those who can do more, teach.
Taylor Springs
College Readiness Counselor, Class of 2021tsprings@emilyk.org
919-680-0308 x2005
Taylor came to the Emily K Center in 2019 and currently works as the college readiness counselor for the Class of 2021. She earned her B.A. and MPA from North Carolina State University.
Favorite book: The Count of Monte Cristo
Favorite school supply: Pens!
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.
Apply Now To Be A Subject Area Tutor
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.”
