College Scholars Program

Admission to college is not the end goal of the SEO Scholars Program - it is the first step. The next step in preparing Scholars to be leaders in their families, communities, and careers is to ensure that they graduate from college. The College Scholars Program focuses on the academic, personal, and financial guidance students need to successfully complete college and prepare for productive careers or graduate level education. SEO supports Scholars through regular communication with program staff, retreats, internship opportunities and workshops.  This follow through is proving to be effective:

  • The average cumulative GPA of SEO College Scholars participating in the program is 3.12 as of the fall 2010 semester.
  • For the high school Class of 2007, 89% of students report that they are graduating from college on time in 2011.
  • In 2011, SEO assisted college students in securing 108 summer internships with a variety of organizations, including Accenture, Google,  the Fund for Public Interest, NBC Universal, Manhattan District Attorney's Office, J.P. Morgan, HBO, and Young & Rubicam.


Core Elements of the College Scholars Program

  1. College Readiness
  2. Academic Achievement
  3. Career Readiness & Development
  4. Financial Assistance

College Readiness: During the spring before entering college, Scholars attend workshops on college readiness, where they learn college-level study skills and are provided with the tools to adjust to college life.  Workshops cover course selection, finances and budgeting, participating in extra-curricular activities, health issues, homesickness and dormitory life.

Academic Achievement: Academic success is the key to opening doors to competitive internships, fellowships and study abroad opportunities. SEO programs and workshops help students develop the skills required to excel on campus, including:

  • Study group formation
  • Study and test-taking strategies
  • Time management
  • Speed learning
  • Note-taking
  • Classroom strategies
  • Building relationships with professors

Career Readiness & Development: Taking the steps necessary to ensure the timely pursuit of a career is a vital part of college.  Many colleges have resources on career development; the College Scholars Program supplements these resources and encourages students to begin planning their professional futures early in their college career. Students receive assistance with all aspects of career development including:

  • Resume and cover letter writing workshops
  • Interview techniques
  • Internship research and applications
  • Networking skills

Financial Assistance: Through partnerships with individual donors and foundations, students who successfully complete the SEO Scholars High School program may be considered for the following scholarships upon college matriculation:

  • Andrew Golkin Memorial Scholarships, named in honor of an SEO friend who died in the 9/11 Terrorist Attack at the World Trade Center.
  • Franklin H. Williams Scholarships, named in honor of the civil rights leader through the Harlem Youth Development Foundation at SEO.
  • Martha M. Innes Book Scholarships for all Scholars enrolled in college.
  • Martha M. Innes SEO Outcomes Scholarships for Leadership, Community Service, Global Awareness and Academic Achievement.
  • Teitelbaum Scholarship for students majoring in business or a related field.
  • Charles Hayden Foundation Scholarships
  • Walwyn Stuart Scholarships, named in honor of an SEO Scholars Program alumnus who died in the 9/11 Terrorist Attack at the World Trade Center.
  • Julius Chodorow Scholarships



For more information, please contact:

Ays Necioglu, LMSW
Assistant Director, College Scholars Program
Email: anecioglu@seo-usa.org
Phone: (646) 435 9554