On November 5, UCF was visited by approximately 450 middle and high schools students, parents, guidance counselors, teachers and chaperones for the Fourth Annual College Prep Day. The event, hosted by the Office of Multicultural Academic and Support Services, was the largest College Prep Day event in MASS history.
College Prep Day is a free inspirational and educational event for multicultural, first generation, low-income, and/or at risk students. The day is dedicated to helping multicultural, first generation, low-income, and/or at risk middle and high school students and their parents to better understand the steps necessary for admission into a college or university. In addition, the event promotes the importance of attending an institution of higher education.
“I was excited to see the dorms and how housing works here,” said Alexa Campos, an eighth-grade student from Apopka Memorial Middle School. “I also wanted to see a college campus hands on. It was so much fun.”
Presenters included: Ty Williams (motivational speaker) and informative speakers such as Cedric Brown (UCF Undergraduate Admissions), Kensington Shields-Dutton (Student Financial Assistance), Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, Jennifer Muscadin (PRIME/Stem), as well as student panelists from the Upward Bound Program and current UCF students.
During the student panel question session, MASS Director Wayne Jackson gave insight on the college experience. The topic he spoke on the most was networking. “It’s not what you know or who you know, but who knows you,” Jackson said. “You need to prioritize what’s important.”
Additionally, the middle school students also enjoyed the campus tour including the Recreation and Wellness Center, UCF Athletic facilities, and on-campus housing Libra Community. All guests were provided breakfast and lunch. More than 40 MASS volunteers and staff greeted guests with a smile and made their day at UCF one that they will always remember.