Enrollment

The College Prep Program is open to students who:

• are currently in 9th grade and live in the St. Louis region,
• will be the first in their families to attend college and come from limited-income families (annual total family household income is $75,000 or less),
• maintain a 2.5 GPA
• are open to and interested in receiving coaching and guidance along your journey to and through college
• are able to attend CPP’s Summer Academy for three consecutive summers, as well as attend a minimum of two academic sessions and one enrichment or exposure activity each semester

College Prep Scholars attend Summer Academy for two weeks in June, following their freshman and sophomore year of high school and three weeks following their junior year of high school. A number of academic sessions, enrichment experiences, and exposure opportunities are offered throughout the year and are traditionally held on Saturdays.

Students submit an online application. The application asks for general information about the student and their family along with short essays. An official high school transcript and one (1) completed recommender form must be provided on the student’s behalf.

Applications for the College Prep Program will be open in late fall for the class of 2027. If you have questions about the application process, please contact Jenisha McDonald, Program Coordinator, at jenisha@wustl.edu.

We’ve eliminated the nomination requirement from the application process to ensure equal access for all students wanting to apply to this program. This ensures students from under-resourced schools and communities will be able to apply for and be considered for this program.

A Recommender Form must accompany the student’s application.

Recommenders are asked to evaluate the student with respect to their academic performance and potential, character, integrity, and behavior.

Applicants are to notify individuals of the recommender form via email (email provided by the scholar on the application).

CPP advice: Take a moment to think about an adult in your life that you know well and fully supports you and your personal dreams and aspirations. A teacher, community leader, coach, guidance counselor, or spiritual leader who can speak about your character, academic ability, and skills.  

An official copy of the applicant’s first-semester high school transcript is required. Please use the College Prep Program Request for Records Form below.

Complete the student portion of this form. A parent or guardian must sign the form to have school records released to the College Prep Program. 

COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM REQUEST FOR RECORDS FORM

Note: Students must have a 2.5 GPA or higher to be eligible for the College Prep Program and must maintain a 2.5 GPA to remain in good standing with the program.

Once applications are reviewed, qualified and promising students are invited to participate in interviews with program staff and supporters. Students will be notified of their interview time slot.

The Program’s enrollment decisions will consider application materials and interview notes. Students are notified by mid-March of the enrollment decisions. Selected students must commit to participate in all four years of the program, including the Summer Academy experiences.

CPP Scholars make a commitment to:

• attend CPP’s Summer Academy for three consecutive summers,
• attend a 1-on-1 meeting with our Program Coordinator each semester,
• attend a minimum of two Academic Sessions each semester for a total of four sessions an academic year, and
• attend a minimum of one enrichment or exposure activity each semester for a total of two activities an academic year 
• uphold the College Prep Program policies and expectations and Washington University in St. Louis policies and procedures as outlined in the scholar’s enrollment packet and scholar handbook.