GARLAND, Texas – Representatives from top colleges and universities across the United States came to ILTexas Garland High School on Saturday, September 17, for the annual Academic Success Program (ASP) College Kick Off event. Juniors and seniors from ILTexas and local Dallas-Fort Worth area schools were invited to attend to learn more about college and the application process. 

“I know for sure that I want to go to college and I think this is a really good opportunity to talk to representatives about colleges I'm interested in,” said Amaya Murphy, a junior at ILTexas Lancaster-Desoto High School.

From Brown to MIT, Rice, and Princeton University, representatives answered students’ questions about financial aid, student life, activities, and fields of study. They also reviewed sample Common Application forms to familiarize students with the process.

“Whatever university you're looking at, make sure you've done your research so that you understand what degrees are offered, what departments are offered, what majors are offered,” said Vivian Slee, Senior Assistant Dean at Princeton University. “That's really important because when it comes time for the application, we can tell whether you've done your research or not.” 

The event was also open to parents curious to know how to navigate the process with their child. 

“These events really just give great information,” said Bill Rydberg, parent of an ILTexas Garland High School senior. “It really helps out with the process of getting your kids deciding if they want to go to college and for them to get their ideas straight and make a better future for themselves.”

This was the first in-person College Kick-Off event hosted by ILTexas and ASP since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Events like this help to inform, prepare, and excite students for the college selection and admissions process. Students at ILTexas have dedicated time spend working with their ASP counselors, who assist them with every step of their college acceptance journey.

“I hope students take away from this event that there are so many amazing colleges out there,” said Sara Urquidez, Executive Director of ASP. “I also hope they come away with a practical knowledge to start navigating the college process, whether they're in ninth grade or whether they're a senior right now.”

Visit ILTexas.org for more campus news and events.