Local program helping students navigate college admissions process

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The college admissions scandal has exposed something many people already believed which is the playing field isn't level when it comes to getting accepted to some schools.

The odds were already tough for students who might be the first in their family to apply to college.

A local program called "Enroot" is trying to give those kids a better shot at achieving the American Dream.

Josee Stephan is a senior at Cambridge Rindge and Latin. She hopes to pursue a career in law enforcement. "In 10-15 years, I see myself working as a detective in the FBI."

To fulfill that dream, Stephan will need to go to college. That's something no one in her family has done before. "I want to be something, so they all support me, and they are all happy for me."

Enroot provides first-generation students with mentors to help navigate the college application process.

"Currently, there are students from 34 countries participating in the program,” said executive director Ben Clark.

Another mission of the program is to develop a diverse workforce.

"One of our big areas of focus this is year is exposing our students to careers in STEM fields," added Clark.

Students are taken to visit local companies and often end up with internships.

Clark said some of the recent headlines associated with the admissions investigation have been sobering. “When students aren't given a fair shake and don't get evaluated on their performance, their capacity, and their ability to contribute later on in life; we know our students are being excluded.”

The program can achieve amazing results. Emmanuello Carrenard came to Cambridge from Haiti unable to speak English.  With help from Enroot, he earned a scholarship to Colby Sawyer College and is now writing his next chapter.  “I found my passion.  I found that I wanted to help people which is why I went into the health care field, and as of now, I am getting my master's in public administration.”

Stories like that make Clark's day. "Some of what makes us most proud can be measured in data and we are excited that almost every single student of ours can finish high school when it's typically closer to 60%. We are excited that our students go on and finish college at 2-3 times the rate that is typical for them."

Enroot is currently offered in Cambridge and Somerville. The program hopes to expand to other districts in the near future.

Cox Media Group