YALE LAW SCHOOL & HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT - Law & Public Policy

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN - Political Science & Geographic Information Systems

Jessica is currently a J.D./M.P.P. candidate at Yale Law School and the Harvard Kennedy School. Before graduate school, she earned a B.A. in Political Science and a B.S. in Geographic Information Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Having recently gone through the college application process herself, Jessica understands what it’s like and is here to help you tell your story in a way that stands out to admissions committees. Whether it’s crafting your personal statement, applying for scholarships, or preparing for interviews, she’s excited to support you every step of the way.

Jessica has interned at places like the White House, the Department of Justice, and the European Court of Human Rights, and she’s always been passionate about public service. She hopes to build a career in national security and atrocity prevention, but right now, she’s focused on helping high school seniors like you reach your goals. As a mentor and founder of Summit United, Jessica is excited to be a part of your journey and help you believe that no dream is too big when you have the right support.

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Journalism and Media Studies; Master of Information (M.I.) with a concentration in Library and Information Science.

Layla is currently an Information and Adult Services Programming Librarian in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Born in Newark, NJ, she grew up understanding the epitome of making specific decisions about her future to ensure college would be an option. She graduated high school at age 16 and was thrown into the college environment at a rapid pace. She can provide support and insight into being young and nervous entering the college world. She also has experience in proofreading materials, scholarship sourcing, and picking which college may be the best fit. Her personal interests include reading, keeping up with Formula 1, and going on road trips.

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY AT CHICAGO - Neuroscience and minoring in Psychology

Sola is an undergraduate student at Loyola university studying to become a pediatric surgeon. She is currently a junior and working at a lab that focuses on physical therapy for both kids and adults. Following graduation she is hoping to enter medical school and begin her journey from there.

She is excited to help the mentees get through the process of applying and impressing the colleges of your choice. She wishes to make this process something less stressful and instead enjoyable. When it comes to picking college majors/minors, applying for scholarship, proof-reading application materials she is ready for it. Anything college related Sola is ready to assist you.

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY - Political Science and minoring in International Studies

Sydney recently graduated Summa Cum Laude at DePaul University, majoring in Political Science and International Studies. She has also studied Economics, International Politics, and French at Sciences Politique in Paris, France.

As someone who knows how daunting the application process can be, she hopes to provide a fun, creative, judgment-free, environment where students can focus on all the amazing experiences that are to come as they begin their college journeys! She would love to work with mentees when it comes to picking college majors, scholarship application, finalizing school choices, and proof-reading application materials. She can also provide insight and advice on the study abroad application process and experience. Ultimately, no matter what challenge might be causing stress, Sydney will act as just one more person on your team, at your side, helping you through these next few months.

She looks forward to working with you!

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN - Undeclared

I am a sophomore at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. As of right now, I am undecided. I have been taking classes that I’m interested in to see what I want to major in. In high school, I was a part of many different clubs like the National Honors Society, the S.H.E program for women, and the choir. I also plan on joining organizations and programs here at uiuc. In my free time, I enjoy helping people, hanging with friends, and spending time with family. I like to watch supernatural/superhero shows. I’m a big Marvel and dc fan. In high school, I didn’t have as much help with college applications, scholarships, and personal statements, and I know how challenging it can be. I hope I can be helpful to you, encourage you, and guide you through this process so it won’t be as challenging as it was for me.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA CHAMPAIGN - Political Science, Geographic Information Science, Spanish

Nicole Ward is a project coordinator on the National Immigrant Justice Center's Immigrant Legal Defense team. She earned a Bachelor of Science in geography (GIS), alongside Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and Spanish from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a practitioner, she has worked with immigrant populations across Illinois and Northern Spain. Her policy research focuses on refugee reception and integration. She is excited to guide her mentees throughout their higher education journey and support them in reaching their full potential!