Program Helps High-Achieving Students Enroll and Thrive in College
Delaware Goes to College Academy (DGCA) was co-founded by the Delaware Department of Education and TeenSHARP to provide high quality college advising to high achieving students from low-income households across the state. DGCA supports a broad group of students throughout the state of Delaware in the college application and decision process. There is no cost to students to participate.
Selected scholars receive free high-quality college admissions consulting all year long. This year, due to the continuation of the COVID-19 Pandemic, our sessions will be virtual again this year, but we hope to return to in-person meetings as soon as possible.
The Delaware Goes to College Academy can support you as you:
- Pick the right high school classes
- Earn top grades and keep them high
- Find the best leadership and extracurricular opportunities
- Connect with other students who are on track for college
- Visit colleges in Delaware and beyond
- Have access to highly qualified college advisors who will respond to your questions within 48 hours.
Who is eligible?
The Delaware Goes to College Academy Bootcamp is open to all 9th graders, plus 10th and 11th graders with a 3.0 or higher GPA. For students interested in continuing participation in the year-long program, preference will be given to students from low income households.
- We highly encourage all current high school freshman to register
- Sophomores and juniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are encouraged to register
This program is designed for students of all racial/ethnic backgrounds. Strong preference is given to students from low-income families.
The first step is to register and participate in the upcoming 2022 Delaware Goes to College Academy Bootcamp.
Scholars in the 9th & 10th grades will attend virtual workshops as follows:
- DGCA Bootcamp workshops – Monday, April 18 through Thursday, April 21: 10:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Evening college tour – Tuesday, April 19 from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
- One-on-one advising meetings – Thursday, April 21 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Scholars in the 11th grade will attend virtual workshops as follows:
- DGCA Bootcamp workshops – Monday, April 18 through Friday, April 22, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Evening college tour – Tuesday, April 19 from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
- One-on-one advising meetings – Thursday, April 21 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
All Parents: Parent College Preparation Workshop – Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
All programming will take place online using the Zoom platform.
In these workshops, you will:
- Learn about the college admission and financial aid process
- Assess your academic performance, coursework rigor, leadership and service skills
- Design a personalized plan to address your gaps
- Have an opportunity to virtually meet with representatives of numerous in-state and out-of-state colleges.
What happens after the Bootcamp?
After the Bootcamp, throughout the remainder of high school, scholars will attend seasonal sessions with DGCA staff and scholars. They will also meet with advisors one-on-one and receive online mentoring and support. Sessions will take place in person or online depending on the pandemic situation. Scholars will be made aware of meeting place and time in advance.
What is TeenSHARP?
TeenSHARP is a nonprofit organization with programming hubs in Delaware and South Jersey serving students across the tri-state area in the Delaware Valley. The mission of TeenSHARP is to prepare talented low-income, African-American, and Latino students to attend and thrive at our nation’s top colleges. TeenSHARP achieves its mission through four programs: the Striver Program, The College Success Program, and the Parent Network Program. Additionally, TeenSHARP partners with the Delaware Department of Education to lead the Delaware Goes to College Academy for a broader group of Delaware high school students.
The Delaware Goes to College Academy is open to students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
All the expenses for this program are paid for through funding by the Delaware Department of Education, TeenSHARP, Longwood Foundation, Welfare Foundation, Barclays Bank, WSFS Bank, Bank of America, Laffey-McHugh Foundation, Capital One Bank, and City of Wilmington.
Need more information?
If you have any questions, your school counselors can provide more information. You may also contact Anthony Phillips at anthony.phillips@teensharp.org.