This year, 230 juniors from all 15 YES Prep secondaries came together for the annual Impact Institute, an event designed to help students explore college opportunities and prepare for life after graduation through the IMPACT program.
Created to support students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, the IMPACT program helps students explore colleges and universities across the country that offer financial aid assistance, mentorship, and long-term student support. Through workshops, campus visits, and direct engagement with university partners, students gain guidance on both the college application process and the transition to college life.
At this year’s Impact Institute, students and families connected directly with representatives from institutions including The George Washington University, Kenyon College, Austin College, the University of Notre Dame, St. Olaf College, Johns Hopkins University, Grinnell College, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University, Whitman College, Boston University and Trinity University.
Throughout the event, students participated in admissions case studies, personal statement workshops, and sessions focused on navigating the college admissions process. Families attended bilingual sessions in English and Spanish covering topics such as college access, financial aid and postsecondary planning.
Building Community Before Students Arrive on Campus
The IMPACT program supports students through every stage of the college journey, from applications and admissions decisions to building the community and support systems needed to succeed once they arrive on campus.
Through direct relationships with university representatives, YES Prep alumni and fellow students in the program, students begin developing support networks before they even graduate from their campuses.
For many students attending colleges far from home, these connections can make a meaningful difference in their transition to college life. Students are introduced to recruiters, staff members and peers who may later become part of their college community, helping create a sense of familiarity and belonging before they step onto campus.
The intentionality behind those connections matters. Research shows that community, engagement, and support systems play an important role in college persistence and long-term student success. Through the IMPACT program, YES Prep is working to ensure students are not only prepared to get into college but prepared to succeed once they arrive.
Supporting Families Through the College Process
For many families, the experience offered more than college information. It created space for reassurance and honest conversations about navigating higher education.
Families of 11th grade students shared that one of the most valuable parts of the event was connecting with families of graduating seniors and current college students. Because many YES Prep students are first generation college students, these conversations helped families better understand the college process, ease fears around students attending colleges outside Texas and navigate financial aid systems that can often feel overwhelming or unfamiliar.
By the end of the Institute, many families left feeling more confident about how to support their students throughout the college journey, not simply as spectators, but as active partners alongside their students and the YES Prep College Initiatives team.
Join the YES Prep Community
The IMPACT program reflects YES Prep’s commitment to college readiness by ensuring students and families have access to the guidance, relationships and support systems needed to succeed long after graduation. Through intentional partnerships with colleges and universities across the country, students gain early exposure to postsecondary opportunities while building the confidence, persistence and community needed to thrive in college and beyond. To learn more about YES Prep College Initiatives and the IMPACT program, click here. Families interested in joining the YES Prep community can apply today here.