College Testimonials

Karen S. Felton, Senior Associate Director, Office of Undergraduate Admission, University of Maryland:

The entire CDI team is hard working, committed, and highly knowledgeable, and they advocate tirelessly in support of first generation and low-income students and their families. I have known Ms. Atta for many years, and have long been impressed by how extraordinarily bright she is, how committed she is to her students, and how passionately she believes in the value and power of education.  She and her staff are actively engaged in our profession, and Theresa has presented at a number of PCACAC and NACAC conferences over the years, most recently at the 2009 NACAC conference on strategies for working collaboratively with school-based colleagues in support of students. I have personally observed the outstanding level of service provided by Collegiate Directions to their students, and feel confident that they uphold the highest standards of professional integrity.

Nancy Oliver Gray, President, Hollins University:

Thank you so much for the wonderful work you are doing with students and with colleges and universities such as Hollins. You and your staff are wonderful judges of “fit” for the students with whom you work. They are extremely lucky to have the opportunity to benefit from your guidance. When you call us, we know you are going to tell us about a special young woman.

I am particularly grateful for your work with Frances Kalema. After graduating high school with honors, she came to Hollins “ready to go.” Upon her arrival here, she immediately became involved in student life and was instrumental in starting a cross country club. She is currently a sophomore majoring in studio art, and doing very well at Hollins.

Thank you again for all your hard work. Thanks so much for sending us this student!

The late John A. Blackburn, Dean of Admission (1979-2009), University of Virginia:

CDI has become a moving force in the Washington, DC area for raising the aspirations of many gifted, low-income young people there. The weekly work with the high school students, the trips to colleges, and the support provided by the CDI staff are extremely valuable in helping the students narrow their choices and eventually make good decisions. CDI supports students throughout college, with weekly check-ins from their campuses and workshops when they are back home. It is unfortunate that thousands more low-income students cannot take advantage of this valuable program.

Heidi M.S. Reigel, Associate Director of Admissions, McDaniel College:

I wanted to let you know that Collegiate Directions has done a fantastic job in identifying college-bound students and helping them with the stressful college search process. CDI students are well-prepared for the academic rigors of McDaniel and our community is always eager to welcome them into our small collegiate community - great work!

Principal Testimonials

George Arlotto, Ph.D., Former Principal of Wheaton High School,
Chief School Performance Officer, Anne Arundel County

Thank you for sending me your wonderful publication “Milestones.” Each issue brings a smile to my face and a warm memory to my heart. The students at Wheaton are very special and the work of Collegiate Directions, Inc. has helped spread this news around the country. You and the students are to be applauded.

Christopher Garran, Ph.D., Principal, Walter Johnson High School

As the principal of Walter Johnson High School, I am indebted to CDI for its work on behalf of students for whom doors are often shut and access is often limited. Since 2006, CDI has worked with 14 Walter Johnson students. CDI has guided these young people through the college admissions process and helped them to gain access to higher education. For these students, CDI opened doors that otherwise would have remained closed. Given our current economic climate, it is even more imperative that programs such as CDI continue their work. After all, in a very real, tangible way, their work is helping to close the achievement gap and it is helping traditionally underrepresented students gain access to higher education.

These students are very fortunate to be involved with your program. I know the help and guidance will be invaluable.

Employer Testimonials

Vice President of a large global communications company, after hiring CDI Scholars as summer interns:

To CDI Staff:

I think what you [CDI] are doing is incredible.... I can relate to these students as I come from a working class family in which I was the first to go to college. I really had no one to guide me so I struggled through the process virtually alone. It was not easy so I know how important it is to get the help along the way.

To the CDI summer interns:

Congratulations on being part of the winning team for the Technical Challenge. My understanding is that your submittal was outstanding and you were clearly the winner. The point spread between the first and second place winners was very large. Great job!!!! Again, I want to commend you for a job well done. I hope that you both are enjoying your internship and will consider joining us again next summer.