• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Donate
  • Sponsor
  • Volunteer
  • Press Release
The Village Method Logo
  • Home
  • About
    • TVM Board
    • History
    • Our Programs
    • Contact Us
  • Get Involved!
    • Local Resources
    • Testimonials
      • Submit A Testimonial
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
      • Internship
    • Sponsor
    • Careers
  • Media
    • Video Gallery
    • Photo Gallery
  • Blog

Discovering An Afrocentric Approach to College Admission

January 2, 2023 By Zavia Jarrett

It’s been shown that white students have an advantage in the college admission process. Why is that, you might wonder? This has everything to do with how Black youth, particularly first-generation college students, are being aided on their road to college. ScholarPrep Nation strongly supports the academic journey of each student in need of expert guidance.

 

Although we continue to push for inclusivity in education, the college application process is still confusing. The solution? To permanently demystify the college and scholarship application processes while raising awareness on topics surrounding financial aid or standardized tests. All applicants deserve a fair chance at college success. For this reason, we should explore an Afrocentric approach.

 

In today’s article, let us decide whether an Afrocentric approach to college admission would be appropriate or not. In the context of the ongoing racism in education, it would be wise for school leaders to adopt a more culturally affirming counseling strategy.

 

College Admission Seen Through Afrocentric Lens

What exactly is Afrocentrism and how can it enable institutions to aid their students as the college search commences? In a nutshell, Afrocentrism deals with acknowledging and celebrating Black youth’s African heritage. College admission is often unpredictable and admissions officers tend to make their own rules. We need a considerable perspective shift. 

 

Dr. Asa Hilliard is the classic example of a professor dedicated to exploring Afrocentric pedagogy. Among many other achievements, he dared to envision a brand-new K-12 curriculum that infused Afrocentric knowledge into every single subject. His passion for African culture and tradition continues to be forward-thinking years later.

 

Similarly to Dr. Hilliard, other scholars with a penchant for African studies are undoubtedly worth studying throughout one’s K-12 years. To ignore the lifelong work of such anti-racist geniuses is to consciously sabotage the growth of our youth. Furthermore, healthy self-awareness levels have the power to bring about the desire for academic achievement. 

 

College admission counseling should become culturally affirming and eager to nurture Black excellence. Equipped with the Afrocentric vision to achieve college success, the young scholars will be aptly guided to fill in their college applications as early as junior year, without the stress caused by uncertainty and confusion.

 

Equitable College Admissions Rely On Inclusivity in Education

As colleges weigh new admissions strategies and seek to support diversity, they continue to disregard the biggest, most inconvenient issue ━ racism is affecting the college admission process. That is to say, no matter how efficient and culturally empowering college admission counseling is, most students will face racism head-on due to overly-selective colleges that block the equal access of each applicant.

 

Legacy preferences in college admissions continue to perpetuate unfair circumstances. This concern raises civil rights implications that are impossible to ignore. The lack of transparency regarding the scholarship and college application and admission processes negatively impacts our youth. Consequently, Black students are much more likely to face student debt.

 

Although most high school counselors are dedicated to creating a more equitable academic environment, they are often taken aback by the students’ academic achievement gaps. Instead of taking a proactive approach, they may be inclined to resort to punitive measures. This stifles the efforts of college counseling throughout the nation, creating race gaps that are difficult to manage. However, there are culturally affirming solutions worth considering.

 

ScholarPrep Nation: An Afrocentric College Access Program

Medium shot smiley graduate student
Image Credit: Freepik

Financial aid, extracurricular activities, or Advanced Placement classes could certainly impress the admissions officer. However, Black youth must be given the right tools and resources in order to aptly tackle the college and scholarship application processes. As soon as these two are well taken care of, college admission could become considerably easier. 

 

ScholarPrep Nation doesn’t care solely about the young scholars’ test scores. Our mission is to ensure college success and familiarize the students with what awaits them post-high school. Our expertise in terms of college and scholarship applications is meant to take the pressure off high school leaders and counselors.

 

African-American students deserve to get into the colleges of their dreams. Unfortunately, they often lack the tools and resources in order to make the best decisions.Their academic achievement levels rely on our combined efforts. Together, we can boost college counseling efforts and help students apply without any confusion or stress.

 

Help Black Youth Access Higher Education Now!

Becoming college and scholarship-ready cannot happen overnight, especially not during one’s senior year. Instead, college graduation levels are determined by how well we assist and guide young scholars as early on as possible.

 

ScholarPrep Nation possesses the cultural and academic expertise you’ve been looking for. Allow us to prepare your African-American students for collegiate success in an efficient and professional manner. 

 

Contact us now and tell us more about your school’s goals and needs! We’re here to help you every step of the way. Inclusivity in education is entirely achievable. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Filed Under: Academic Excellence, Culture

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Recent Posts

Take the Pressure Off High School Counselors With These 3 Steps!

The American School Counselor … [Read More...] about Take the Pressure Off High School Counselors With These 3 Steps!

How to Help Students Beat College and Scholarship Application Anxiety

Most students find the college … [Read More...] about How to Help Students Beat College and Scholarship Application Anxiety

4 Ways to Promote Anti-Racist Teaching in Schools

We are at a point when we need to … [Read More...] about 4 Ways to Promote Anti-Racist Teaching in Schools

Testimonials

TVM Gives Hands on Experience

My son’s favorite subjects in school are Math and Science and it’s great that The Village Method includes programs that introduces him to hands on experience. They include coding, trips to UC Berkeley, and guest speakers that… Read more “TVM Gives Hands on Experience”

The Village Method at Alvarado Middle School

“I really appreciate Mr. and Mrs. Gaskins bring The Village Method to Alvarado Middle School. My daughter is enjoying it immensely!” –Parent of a Sixth Grade TVM Scholar

The Village Method is a Beautiful Thing

“Your program is a beautiful thing! I am thoroughly impressed.”  –Father of a Seventh Grade TVM Scholar

Informative and Fun Family Night

“Thank you Mark and Mahea for organizing such an informative and fun family night! I loved listening and seeing The Village Method students speak and present to the audience. It was also great to see… Read more “Informative and Fun Family Night”

The Village Method is a Family

“The Village Method is a family and we are learning about one another so that we can see that we are alike even though we are not related and we are also a team”  —… Read more “The Village Method is a Family”

The Village Method is a place for Black people

TVM Scholars

“The Village Method is a place for Black people where we have the freedom to express ourselves, go on field trips, learn about our culture, and practice stepping formations.” — Sixth Grade TVM Scholar

From being immature to a proud young scholar

7th Grade TVM Scholars

“The Village Method teaches us to be an awesome scholar not just in class but for the whole community. TVM also helps us to turn from being immature to a proud young scholar.” Seventh Grade… Read more “From being immature to a proud young scholar”

TVM Can’t Stop

“Can’t tell you how much this community means to us! TVM is great for our son, but it means as much (if not more) to our family. This can’t stop! Thank you Mahea and Mark… Read more “TVM Can’t Stop”

Impressed with TVM Leadership

“I volunteered for the better part of a school year with TVM. I was really impressed by the TVM leadership; their continued commitment and drive to have the program succeed was inspirational. (The only reason… Read more “Impressed with TVM Leadership”

It takes a village

The Village Method (TVM) is dedicated to teaching our children not only how to manage their academic success but how to make good life decisions through knowledge and love for our rich African history. I am… Read more “It takes a village”

TVM from a student’s perspective

I like TVM because the people there are so nice. They are always supportive and help whenever they can. They always are willing to teach us about our culture. They are funny and I look… Read more “TVM from a student’s perspective”

All Around Transformational

This program is the first thing in over two years that I had seen my 13 year old son genuinely interested in doing. He came home excited from school after the initial presentation. Since joining… Read more “All Around Transformational”

Read more testimonials

Get In Touch!

(510) 470-1721

info@thevillagemethod.org

Quick Links

About

Local Community Resources

Our Programs

Sponsor

About Us

The Village Method is a nonprofit 501(c)3 grassroots organization dedicated to creating a united community that is invested in the success of its youth and families.

© 2023 The Village Method. All Rights Reserved. Design by TWK Web and Print Design