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Michael Mekonnen, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Class of 2013
Ron Brown Scholar, 2009
It is a great honor to be a Ron Brown Scholar. As a Ron Brown Scholar I join a network of very accomplished African American intellectuals. This group of people is dedicated to helping one another and participating in community service activities in all fields of study ranging from business to the sciences to the humanities. The program provides me with $10,000 of scholarship money per year for four years. The selection process involves writing several essays and three intense interviews. While this seems like a very grueling and intense selection process, which it is, my chances were made much better because I was supported all along by CDI. CDI helped me by boosting my self-confidence, reviewing my essays, and preparing me for my interviews. In 2009, the selection committee chose 12 students from a field of more than 10,000 applicants to be Ron Brown Scholars. As I pursue higher education at MIT starting this coming fall, the Ron Brown Scholars Program will be a great support, along with CDI.
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Sasini Bentota, Brown University, Class of 2012
Gates Millennium Scholar, 2008
CDI helped me on my pathway to discover myself and claim my independence. I am grateful to CDI volunteers (especially Ms. Annie Galvin) for helping me with my college and scholarship essays.
Wendy Avelar, Cornell University, College of Engineering, Class of 2011
CDI has been a great learning experience for me. We have a real partnership that encourages me to work to my full potential.
Marilyn Romero, Dickinson College, Class of 2012
Samuel G. Rose Scholar
I loved CDI before I was in the program (thanks to Wendy, CDI ’07). The program inspires me, like my mother, to follow my dreams and reach above and beyond to accomplish whatever I set my mind to.
Ana Coello, University of Maryland-College Park, Scholars Program, Class of 2013
Gates Millennium Scholar, 2009
My experience with CDI has been priceless. I learned of the Gates Millennium Scholarship from CDI. Ms. Atta was my recommender and I got the scholarship! This is one of the many reasons why I truly appreciate the program, especially the devotion of the entire staff. They were patient and encouraging about the college application process, which I knew nothing about, and I am forever in debt. I would have never known what to do or when to do it if it weren’t for CDI. Thank you so much!
Gloria Koskey, Stanford University, Class of 2011
CDI has been a haven for my personal development. It’s a place where I can reflect upon who I am and who I wish to become. Although some of our peers may have had access to greater resources, CDI has allowed us to catch up and be competitive in the race of life.
Brian Koskey, Carnegie Mellon University, Class of 2013
Gates Millennium Scholar Finalist, 2009
One word that sums up my experience at CDI is – unbelievable. I am so surprised at how far I have come and am anxious to see how far I will go. The tutors helped me so much. Ms. Atta and Ms. Hilton are great motivators and know how to bring out the best in me. I don’t know how I would have managed to do my college applications without them. I want to say thank you to all the staff for everything they have done.
Kelly Medina, University of Virginia, Class of 2012
CDI Counselors have helped me improve my writing and helped me with difficult financial aid documents. Without CDI, I would not have applied to any colleges away from home. Now I have a full scholarship to the University of Virginia!
Binh Pham, Lafayette College, Class of 2013
I think that CDI is one of the best counseling programs to prepare low-income students for college. The test prep has helped me to improve from a 21 to a 27 ACT score. Not only have they helped me with the college process and test prep, they have helped me through life. There are no words to describe what a great opportunity CDI is, but once you are a Scholar, you will appreciate the program for life. Thank you so much, CDI!
Cristina Devia, Tufts University, Class of 2012
Pritzker Scholar, Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Service
CDI’s help has gotten all of us to places we would not have even dreamed of. So many opportunities and so many great experiences, thanks to you!
Kevin Rivas, Juniata College, Class of 2011
Presidential Scholar
CDI is my family away from home. I walk through the CDI office with a smile because they do not allow me to be discouraged. I have overcome many difficulties, and CDI has been a source of stability.
Thilini Herath, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Class of 2013
CDI has been a big help to me and my family. Since I'm the first in my family to go to college, we were at a loss. CDI allows us to figure out what I want to do at my own pace, but still leaving me with plenty of time and choices. I can now not only make sense of this, I can explain it to others that need help as well. CDI is a pretty small organization, but it has a big impact on those it helps, and those people can spread the help around. It's really great.
Flavio Medina, Columbia University, Class of 2012
I just wanted to thank you again for everything that you have done for us, the students in the CDI program. You have definitely helped me shape a better future for myself.
Anna Roma, Bryn Mawr College, Class of 2013
CDI has greatly helped me in my college application process. They helped me revise my essays, complete college applications, and fill out my FAFSA. My family and I are grateful to have angels that helped me throughout the college application process. My success in college applications was greatly because of CDI’s encouragement, guidance, support and love.
Anita Robin, Dickinson College, Class of 2012
Samuel G. Rose Scholar
College so far has been a great experience and will continue to be a great experience. I want to thank CDI for being in my life and helping me to be where I am today.
Marco Regalado, University of Maryland-College Park, Honors Program, Class of 2013
CDI has been a blessing in my life. I look back after the college application process and think about how I would have managed to get through it without Ms. Atta and Ms. Hilton. For example, they read through my essays and helped me explain who I am and where I come from. The college application process was probably the most frightening thing I faced this year, but CDI’s guidance and constant mentoring made it easier and almost enjoyable.
Mr. and Mrs. Otero, Parents of Isel ( Bryn Mawr, 2012) and José (Walter Johnson High School, 2010)
I wish to express my wife’s and my appreciation for all the valuable help CDI has given to our children in their struggle to reach their ideal university. As parents of Hispanic students, we were concerned that their “crossover” to an English-speaking culture would adversely affect their academic performance, which had been successful before their recent move to the United States. Even though they were coming from Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, and completed the required courses, all their classes had been taught in Spanish. Thanks to CDI, along with their efforts and dedication, they have managed to hone their skills in an individual and group setting. In a systematic and professional way, CDI has been able to identify their potential, giving them the tools to excel and be accepted into good universities. Our daughter is in her first year at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. Our son has seen increasing academic excellence and performance in his national aptitude exams. CDI is the rudder of the boat of their abilities and dreams. Thank you, CDI!
Señor y Señora Otero, Padres de Isel ( Bryn Mawr, 2012) y José (Walter Johnson High School, 2010)
Deseo consignar mi agradecimiento y el de mi por toda la valiosa ayuda que Collegiate Directions Inc (CDI ) les ha brindado a nuestros hijos, en sus luchas por alcanzar sus ideales universitarios. Como padres de estudiantes hispanos, teníamos la inquietud que de que el cruce (“Crossover”) hacia una cultura anglo-parlante les afectara adversamente en su desempeño académico, bien logrado entonces antes de venir recientemente a los EEUU continentales. Aún cuando provienen de Puerto Rico, (territorio de EEUU), y de cumplir con los requisitos de destrezas requeridos, toda la enseñanza es en Español. Gracias a CDI, junto a su propio esfuerzo y dedicación, estos jóvenes han logrado enfocar sus capacidades en un contexto individual y de grupo juvenil. CDI de forma sistemática y profesional ha sabido pulir el potencial de ellos, al punto de brindarles las herramientas para sobresalir y ser seleccionados en buenas universidades. Nuestra hija ya se encuentra en su 1er año de Universidad en Bryn Mawr, PA. Nuestro hijo ha visto aumentar su excelencia académica y resultados en exámenes nacionales de aptitud. CDI es... cual el timón de la embarcación de sus capacidades y sueños. Gracias CDI!
Angelica Regalado, mother of Marco Regalado, Wheaton High School 2009
Collegiate Directions, Inc. (CDI) has been a blessing for my son, Marco Regalado Jr., and me. I appreciate the dedication and professionalism shown by Mrs. Marks for having started the program. I am also grateful for the dedication Ms. Atta, Ms. Hilton and the rest of the CDI staff show by helping the Scholars complete the college application process. Since it is my first time going through the college process, I do not know the required information needed to apply for college or how to solicit financial aid. The entire process is a great worry, from deciding to which schools my son should apply, to filling out the FAFSA, especially for someone who does not know which steps to take. With CDI’s assistance, each step in the process has been a little less confusing. I am so thankful for the love and guidance CDI has shown my son, because without their continued assistance, I do not know where I would be, probably pulling out my hair! I truly hope that CDI impacts the lives of other families just as much as it has impacted mine.
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