A significant initiative has emerged from Athens, Ohio, aiming to dismantle barriers to higher education access, specifically in the realm of college admissions. Athens College Prep (ACP), a pioneering organization founded by two dedicated university students, is set to revolutionize how underserved students in Athens County navigate the often-intimidating journey to higher education, providing crucial college prep and guidance at an accessible cost.
The brainchild of Alyssa Suh, a Harvard University senior and Athens High School alumna, and her co-founder, a Ph.D. student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, ACP was established this summer with a clear vision. Their combined academic prowess and personal understanding of the college admissions landscape position them uniquely to address the critical need for equitable and affordable consulting services within the community.
Currently in its pilot phase, ACP is actively working with the incoming class of high school seniors, guiding them through the application process for the upcoming fall. This hands-on approach directly confronts the prevailing issue of exorbitant fees charged by many existing consulting services, a barrier that often excludes students from less privileged backgrounds. Suh highlights the stark contrast, noting that some programs charge upwards of $90 per hour, a figure largely inaccessible for many families.
To counter these prohibitive costs, ACP has strategically priced its comprehensive services to ensure affordability without compromising quality. Students can access tutoring and personalized college planning for a modest $50 per hour. Additionally, specialized college application services for seniors, including critical essay editing and one-on-one consultations, are available at $100 per session, making expert guidance a tangible reality for more students.
A cornerstone of ACP’s methodology is its profoundly personalized approach to student support. Before each consultation, students are encouraged to provide detailed summaries of their experiences, hobbies, passions, and resumes. This crucial preparatory step allows ACP’s mentors to meticulously review backgrounds, offering tailored advice and significantly shaping stronger, more authentic personal narratives for college essays, which is paramount for students to stand out in today’s competitive environment, especially with the proliferation of AI tools.
Further underscoring its commitment to student aid and equitable access, ACP extends discounted prices to students who qualify for free-or-reduced lunch programs at their respective schools. This tiered pricing structure ensures that financial constraints do not impede a student’s ability to receive expert college admissions support, embodying the organization’s core mission of fostering true higher education access for all.
Alyssa Suh’s personal journey, having navigated the Ivy League application process as an “atypical” candidate, deeply informs her dedication to ACP. Her experience fuels the passion to empower students who might traditionally feel excluded from elite institutions, demonstrating that diverse pathways to success are not only possible but actively sought by many higher education institutions. This lived understanding translates into highly empathetic and effective guidance for underserved students.
The overarching goal of ACP, as articulated by Suh, transcends mere application assistance; it is about cultivating a belief that higher education access is attainable for everyone, irrespective of financial standing. By sharing invaluable knowledge and serving the Athens Ohio education community, ACP is not just preparing students for college—it is building a bridge to brighter futures, rooted in the profound value of education and a commitment to giving back to the community.
