Test prep session boosts students' interest in college

Fifteen high school students recently took part in a testing session at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, and left with more confidence in their examination abilities and more excitement about a college future.

The annual College Reach Out Program (CROP), presented by activity coordinator Yvette Brown, strives to boost students' belief in their own test-taking skills and explains how colleges use different test scores, such as the ACT and SAT, to determine eligibility.

This year's program brought in four freshmen, one sophomore, four juniors and six seniors, about half of whom had taken part in a previous test prep session.

The students' parents also got a little education, such as learning about the financial aid process and the Summer Bridge Program, designed for first-generation students preparing for college.

Students were provided with test prep books, calculators, highlighters and other supplies, and presented with a test prep review before being given a timed ACT exam. Lunch was provided by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.