Last year, we featured a profile of Naima, at the time, a senior at Roseville High School in Minnesota. Like her three sisters ahead of her, she joined College Possible and quickly realized the important role her coach would play in her academic journey.
After applying to 25 schools and eventually enrolling in Duke University this past fall, Naima is embracing the college experience.
Initially she was focused on pursuing a career in business, but even after one semester she’s opened herself up to other opportunities. While economics still holds her interest, she’s also exploring minors in English, journalism or media. Naima thinks a career path as a financial advisor or a reporter could be in her future. “I try not to stress about it too much, considering I have three more years to solidify my path, and even then, so many things can change.”
College Possible students benefit from continuous support, with coaches staying connected from their junior year of high school all the way through college graduation. Naima has continued to stay in contact with her coach which has made all the difference. While many programs focus primarily on college admission, College Possible coaches provide ongoing guidance and resources to ensure students don’t just get into college—they succeed and thrive throughout their entire academic journey.
The transition from high school to college is important. Adjusting to the academic rigor of higher education, establishing a community, and finding your footing can be challenging.
[At Duke], I knew there would be students who had generations of family come before them, and it was frightening knowing I was the first and only one at this school from my family. Having a college coach to navigate that is a resource I’m appreciative of.
Nationwide, many students struggle their first year at college, and some don’t return for their sophomore year. An incredible 87% of College Possible Minnesota students persist from first-to-second year in college1, more than 10 points higher than the national average of 76.5%.2
Naima is adjusting well and is grateful for the continued support. Thinking back to her senior year, she remembers numerous peers who wouldn’t even consider applying to colleges with low acceptance rates. On the contrary, Naima felt confident in her ability to apply to those universities and knew her coach, Yen, was behind her the whole way.
While her parents and older sisters offered support where they could, Naima knew College Possible took her to the next level. “It was College Possible and my coach Yen for truly being the best resource I could’ve gotten for applying to colleges.”
When thinking about what advice she would give to someone considering College Possible, she says, “I truly think the ability to have someone believe that YOU can do whatever it is YOU want to do is life changing.”
Thinking of joining College Possible and getting free college coaching? See what’s possible.
1 Timeframe = Fiscal Year 2023. Where applicable, this combines Flagship and Navigate programs. This represents (Class of 2022) Fall-to-Fall enrollment at Any institution in %.
2 National Student Clearinghouse Research Center
