The event will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. in Natchitoches and is free to attend. Organizers encourage students to bring their questions and curiosity as they explore admissions and financial aid opportunities.
"This is an incredible opportunity for area students, but just as important an experience for area college counselors, too, said Katie Summerell, Director of LSMSA’s College Counseling Center. “I hope that ALL students and counselors take advantage of this unique opportunity.”
The program begins with a 40-minute presentation on the college admissions process, including holistic admissions, building a college list, and applying for financial aid. Following the session, an 80-minute college fair will feature admissions representatives from highly selective research universities, flagship public institutions, and liberal arts colleges from across the country.
Colleges and universities scheduled to attend include Barnard College, Brown University, Caltech, Case Western Reserve University, Colby College, College of the Holy Cross, Columbia University, Cornell University, Harvard College, Johns Hopkins University, Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech, MIT, New York University, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Northwestern University, Princeton University, Rice University, Smith College, Southern Methodist University, Swarthmore College, Tufts University, Tulane University, University of Chicago, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University, Wellesley College, Williams College, and Yale University.
The STORY initiative was created to expand access to higher education for students from small towns and rural communities. By bringing multiple institutions together, the program provides local students and families with information and connections that might otherwise require traveling long distances.