The Experts Weigh in: High-Achieving, Low-Income Students Reflect on Their Experience in and the Impact of a College Access Program

Abstract

An evaluation of the Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP), a college access program for low-income, high-achieving public high school students, yielded favorable findings regarding the perceptions of program participants. Survey results, which include responses from all 71 participants in the 2015–2016 program, indicated that the participants perceived the program as positively impacting their academic and social–emotional skills, increasing their knowledge of the college application process, broadening their pool of target colleges, and exposing them to new arts and cultural experiences, as the program is intended to do. Scholars' responses also highlight the strength of the PUPP community and social network and confirm that PUPP is helping some scholars to address personal and financial challenges that could prevent them from participating in educational experiences such as PUPP. Findings also highlight the PUPP academic enrichment program as a possible area for growth.