As the new semester begins, 18 new junior peer college counselors (JPCC) are welcomed into the college office ready to be mentored and learn about the college application process.
“This [peer college counseling] has been a great experience,” junior Radin Mossavi said. “I’ve learned a lot about college and how to apply, which I didn’t know much about before, so I thought that this would be a good learning opportunity for me and give me a chance to help out others as well.”
New JPCCs use class time to learn everything they need to know about colleges. Being mentored by the senior PCCs, they are taught the factors and strategies to create the most effective college applications. Once they have learnt the basics, JPCCs will be able to help out their fellow peers with any questions they may have.
“I felt very grateful for the opportunity that I was given,” junior Luis Ascencio said. “I held pride in the capabilities that I showed to the college counselors, and I think that they made the right choice by allowing me to have this chance.”
With over 45 candidates trying out to become a JPCC, the college office held multiple rounds of interviews curated to unveil the applicants best qualities. After three rounds of collaborative and individual interviews, the group was narrowed down to the official 18 students.
“Being a PCC was something I always wanted to do in high school, so I was really excited to start this journey,” junior Isabella Kim said.
The first thing that JPCCs do is learn how to fill out college applications. With help from their senior PCCs they practice things like the University of California application, the California State University application and the Common Application. Other opportunities include learning about scholarships and which schools are best for them.
“Getting to meet the new PCCs and being able to train them, especially since our whole junior year we were being trained, has been exciting,” senior Liel Sabag said. “We get to teach them the stuff we learned and get them ready to help other students which has been really cool.”
JPCCs earned the opportunity to master skills that will make their college application experience easier, and next year they will become the mentors to now sophomores who will go through the very same process that they went through.
“[I wanted to be a PCC because] I was in ninth grade when my eldest sister was applying for colleges, and even though her outer appearance seemed like she was always alright and carefree, I knew that she was most definitely stressed,” Ascencio said. “Frankly, I’m glad I get to help others because I don’t want anyone else to feel desolate and lonely like that.”