In mid-August 2018, over 300 of Let’s Get Ready‘s incoming college students throughout the Northeast attended Transition Day events featuring workshops, panels, and activities to prepare for their freshman year. The events were set up for alumni of the College Access Program, which provides free SAT prep to students from historically underserved backgrounds and assists them with applying to a well-matched school. Students left the event knowing what to expect during their first year of higher education and equipped to meet oncoming challenges with road-tested strategies.

Let's Get Ready staffers and students pose for the camera.
A Let's Get Ready staff member runs a "Finding your people/Belonging" workshop as students look on.

Installments of Transition Day took place at Colby College in Waterville, ME, CUNY Hunter Brookdale Campus in New York City, NY, the Epiphany School in Dorchester, MA, and at the Yonkers Partners In Education in Yonkers, NY. The students split off into groups and rotated between alumni panels, workshops on maintaining a “growth mindset” and managing life transitions. Students also participated in Grad Bag, a green initiative, where they had their pick of free, recycled dorm supplies including sheets, pillows, rugs, storage shelving, and more.

Daniella Valladares, who will be heading to the New York City College of Technology to study Radiologic Tech and Medical Engineering, attended the New York event, and was especially pleased by the alumni panels. “All my questions were answered,” she said. “My favorite part was hearing them share their experiences. They came from all different backgrounds, but went through a lot of the same things,” she adds. She found their advice on applying for internships and maintaining a positive outlook particularly helpful.

Valladares was also pleased with the new desk and lamp she received from Grad Bag.

Many students sported t-shirts and hats from the colleges that they’ll be attending which included longtime Let’s Get Ready partners such as Bowdoin College, Brown University, Harvard University, Hostos Community College, Northeastern University, and UMASS Dartmouth.

Let’s Get Ready wants to thank all the students, alumni, partnering organizations, volunteers, and staff that helped to make our Transition Day events such great successes. Please enjoy photos from the events below.

From New York City’s Transition Day at Brookdale Campus:

Students gathered at the beginning of Transition Day in their college t-shirts.
Let's Get Ready staffers lead a workshop.
A Grad Bag, filled with supplies.
Let's Get Ready staffers lead a workshop.
Students tackle a worksheet during a workshop.
Students listen attentively at the alumni panel.
A college student gives advice on campus life at the alumni panel.
Let's Get Ready Coaches and other college students get ready to speak at the alumni panel.
A Grad Bag volunteer speaks to the press.
A Let's Get Ready student speaks to the press.
Students seated for the alumni panel.
Students seated for the alumni panel.
Students seated for the alumni panel.
Students gathered at the beginning of Transition Day in their college t-shirts.
Students gathered at the beginning of Transition Day in their college t-shirts.
Grad Bag supplies are laid out in a Brookdale Campus commons room at the NYC Transition Day.
Students gathered at the beginning of Transition Day in their college t-shirts.
Students gathered at the beginning of Transition Day in their college t-shirts.
Bath towels and rugs are displayed for the Grad Bag giveaway.
Students gathered at the beginning of Transition Day in their college t-shirts.

From Boston’s Transition Day at the Epiphany School:

Students pose with their college banners.
Students pose with their college banners.
Students pose with their college banners.
Students pose with their college banners.
Students pose with their college banners.
A Grad Bag volunteer recommends an air purifier to a student.
Two students smile at a presenter.
Students leave Epiphany with their Grad Bags.
A Grad Bag volunteer helps students pick out bedding.
A student pick out Grad Bag supplies.
A college student on the alumni panel addresses the audience.
A college student on the alumni panel addresses the audience.
A Let's Get Ready staff member runs a "Finding your people/Belonging" workshop as students look on.
Three Coaches, standing side-by-side, smile for the camera at Boston Transition Day.
Students check off items in their Let's Get Ready-branded folders.

From Waterville’s Transition Day at Colby College:

Students at the Maine Transition Day pose with their Grad Bag supplies.
A student shows his Grad Bag to the camera.
Smiling students pick out coat hangers and bedding.
A bustling classroom on Transition Day.