How to Apply

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 on a 4.0 scale
• are open to receiving coaching and guidance along their journey to and through college
• are expected to attend CPP’s Summer Academy for three consecutive summers, as well as attend a minimum of two academic sessions each semester during the academic year, on Saturdays

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 (residential component mandatory). A number of academic sessions, enrichment experiences, and exposure opportunities are offered throughout the year and are traditionally held on Saturdays to meet the academic year requirements of the program.

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

Applications are now closed for the College Prep Program. If you have questions about the application process, please contact Raven Swingler, Program Coordinator, at ravens@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.

Enter the name and contact information of your recommender on the application. We will use their email address to submit a recommendation on your behalf, so be sure the email address is correct. It is your responsibility to inform that person to watch for an email from WashU sent on your behalf that will explain how to complete this process.

CPP Advice: Take a moment to think about a teacher, community leader, coach, guidance counselor, mentor, or spiritual leader/advisor that knows you well and fully supports you and your personal dreams and aspirations. This individual can speak about your character, academic ability, and skills. Close family members, extended relatives and/or family friends may not submit a recommender form on your behalf.

An unofficial copy of the applicant’s first-semester high school transcript is required. You will upload your transcript when you submit your application.

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.

If you are selected, you will be asked to have your guidance counselor submit an official copy of your latest transcript.

Once applications are reviewed, qualified and promising students are invited to participate in in-person 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 early April 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 (the third summer is residential),
• meet with CPP Advisor each semester,
• attend a minimum of two sessions each semester for a total of four sessions an academic year, and
• 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.