For most Langley students, going to college is following in their parents’ footsteps.  However, there is a small minority who will be the first in their families to attend college, and the College Partnership Program is dedicated to making their transition as smooth as possible.

The CPP has been at Langley for a number of years and is currently looking for new students who are interested in joining the program.  “The main aim is to get first generation students into college,” said guidance counselor Ms. Julie McGreevy. “We want to keep people motivated.”

The CPP meets once a month to actively help its members on their journey to college.  Meetings can cover a wide range of topics and activities, whether there is a guest speaker coming in to talk about college life or the students spend time doing computer research about possible college options.  “It’s nice learning that you have a lot of resources to help you,” said junior CPP member Sean Jois.

However, CPP also offers numerous opportunities to students outside of Langley.  Every year, CPP students attend field trips to colleges in Virginia, where they hear college lectures and listen to presentations about what it is like to be a freshman at university.  These experiences help students become accustomed not only to student life on campus but also about what areas they might like to study once in college.

Jois has gone on several of these field trips, to schools such as William and Mary, Virginia Commonwealth University and Longwood University.  There he attended classes and noted that “it was a lot of fun to live on a college campus.”

Possibly the most unique feature CPP offers is early application preference.  Students from across Fairfax County travel to state schools with their completed applications.  Once there, students can have their applications reviewed by the college’s admissions office and can ultimately be accepted on site that day.  This allows students to know about their options early on, similar to early action.

Any freshman or sophomore who will be the first member of their family to attend college is invited to join CPP, and current members encourage their peers to join.  “It’s definitely helped me find out what I want to do,” said Jois.

For applications, students should see the Director of Student Services, Ms. Sonya Williams. Forms are due Apr. 8.