Increasing Access, One Student at a Time

The Increasing Accessing Mentoring program (I AM) is an action based intensive mentoring model developed by the Center for Higher Education Policy Analysis to increase the number of students from a Los Angeles area urban high school who go on to college. Belmont High School was selected from a pool of nine local high schools where CHEPA researchers have conducted multiple studies examining the significance of college preparation programs and financial aid services in college access for low-income urban students. Belmont was selected due to its size (over 5,000 students) and its low-college-going rate (less that 10% of Belmont graduates go on to a four-year university). The program addresses a major weakness present in many large urban high schools - a lack of individualized and sustained college counseling, particularly during the senior year.

Twenty-eight USC faculty and graduate students as well as other local college access professionals are currently working as I AM mentors. These mentors are paired with 55 Belmont High School seniors. I AM mentors are charged with guiding these college-ready high school seniors through the college and financial aid application processes. Through one-on-one mentoring, the program aims to provide students with critical information and support that will lead to successful application for college admission and financial aid. I AM mentors help students make informed decisions about college applications and provide assistance with interpreting students' financial aid awards. The goal of the program is to increase the college-going population at the target high school by 10-25% this year. The I AM program utilizes a hands-on approach where each mentor works with 1-5 students for a total of 3-4 hours each month. The program originated in September 2005 and will conclude in June 2006.