Admission Possible, a nonprofit organization providing free college access programming to low-income high school students, is recruiting now through April for sophomores interested in earning a college degree. Applications are being accepted from eligible sophomores by Admission Possible staff at each of the program’s Twin Cities partner high schools. Students in attendance at other high schools may contact Admission Possible headquarters at 651-917-3525 or info@admissionpossible.org to apply.

“It’s impossible to say everything Admission Possible has done for me because the list is too long,” said Abdi Hassan, a senior in Admission Possible at Como Park High School. “I can’t imagine my life without Admission Possible. It made a better future possible.”

Hassan is one of many Admission Possible students who will be the first in their family to attend college when they enroll next fall.

Historically, 98 percent of participating students have earned admission to college, and nearly 80 percent of those who enrolled are persisting toward their college degree or have already graduated. The program currently serves 1,400 low-income juniors and seniors in the Twin Cities core high school program with the goal of serving more students as soon as next fall.

Admission Possible students meet twice per week in after-school sessions during their junior and senior years of high school. Coaches support students in small learning groups and one-on one, providing free ACT/SAT test preparation, intensive guidance in preparing college applications, help in obtaining financial aid and guidance in the transition to college.

Hassan credits Admission Possible and his coach, Nate, for helping him raise his ACT score 38 percent and earn admission to college. “No one in my family has gone through the process of applying to college so I knew I needed help. Nate is awesome – he helps me with everything.” Not only has Hassan earned admission to several colleges already, he was recently awarded a $4,000 scholarship from the Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota.

High school sophomores on track to be juniors in 2011-12 must meet the following requirements for entry into the Admission Possible program: 1) be income eligible – student’s family income is at or below the median household income for the state; 2) maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher; 3) be willing to commit to after-school sessions, Saturday ACT practice exams, college campus visits and community service outings over the two years; and 4) complete an application and interview process.

Approximately 750 sophomores across the Twin Cities will be notified of admittance to the program by late April and will begin Admission Possible after-school programming in the fall of the 2011-12 school year at a partner school: Central, Como Park, Harding, Highland Park, Humboldt and Johnson high schools in St. Paul; Patrick Henry, Roosevelt and Edison high schools in Minneapolis; Armstrong and Cooper high schools in Robbinsdale; St. Louis Park High School; Columbia Heights High School; Coon Rapids High School; and charter schools Higher Ground Academy, Ubah Medical Academy and Community of Peace Academy.

Students, parents and other caring adults interested in learning more about the program or wishing to refer a student may visit the Admission Possible office at a partner high school, call 651-917-3525 or email info@admissionpossible.org and www.AdmissionPossible.org.