Who is better qualified to help connect students to college success than 16 college students from across the United States?

The College Board’s Advisory Panel on Student Concerns provides invaluable feedback on programs and products designed to help students and their peers. This year’s group comprises students from such schools as Harvard University, Holy Names Academy (an all-girls Catholic high school in Seattle, Wash.) and North Dallas High School (public), among others. Meeting three times a year, the panel offers insight about members’ opportunities and experiences in the program to dozens of teachers. Two members also serve on each of the major College Board committees and councils.

Members’ terms generally run from their junior year in high school through their freshman year in college, during which time they offer direct dialogue with students who are applying and planning for college and making the transition from high school to college.
 
Michelle Lu, a high school senior in Skillman, N.J., currently co-chairs the panel with Katherine Walecka, who is in her first year at Harvard.

“The College Board staff and educational professionals that we meet at the various conferences are genuinely interested in our experiences,” said Lu, who has been accepted to the University of Pennsylvania. “Because the purpose of the College Board is to serve the students in America and help establish a college-going culture, it is crucial that they listen to what students have to say about their experiences — the obstacles that they've faced.”

“Panel members also benefit from interacting with peers from different schools, states, and cultural and economic backgrounds,” said Jack Joyce, director of relationship development, training and information services.

 “They develop friendships and really grow in that three-year tenure. It’s good to see a tentative, quiet student really blossom in that time. It’s good for them to experience that social interaction with other students and with leaders in the field,” he said.

Nominations are in the spring, based on openings in appropriate regions. Students from member high schools are nominated by counselors or others and write personal essays to accompany their applications.