In the summer, USC becomes a showcase of programs designed to assist high school students with the tools to apply and attend top-tier universities. We are proud to be educational partners with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund to help provide a primer on college admissions for Hispanic students.
This past week, we were honored to host the third annual HSF Youth Leadership Institute in which high-achieving students learn the ins and outs of applying to top-tier universities that may have been considered unattainable.
Two hundred students participated in the four-day, overnight college conference at USC. The Latino high school juniors were selected through a competitive application process with eligibility requirements that included a minimum 3.0 GPA and an active plan to enroll full-time in an accredited four-year university.
USC Vice President of USC Government Relations Martha Escutia helped us welcome this year’s recipients. Focused on increasing the number of Hispanic high school students who attend college, the USC alumna shared words of inspiration.
“We are no longer exceptions to the rule,” Escutia said. “We will be the rule.”
During their time on our USC campus, the students participated in college and career workshops aimed at helping them navigate the college admissions process in order to reach their goal of higher education.
“What we want to do with this program to make sure there is nothing you don’t know about the college-going process,” said Fidel A. Vargas, HSF President & Chief Executive Officer.
Our nation, and our world, depends on the next generation of leaders who will bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to whatever they decide to do. That is the ultimate goal shared by USC and HSF. Together, we can show students that they have all the skills to attend the school of their dreams.
Elizabeth A. Graddy–August 6, 2019