Yale-New Haven Hospital encourages education

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- The path to college just got a little easier for hundreds of high school students in New Haven.

The city is teaming up with Yale-New Haven Hospital to encourage continuing education.

"Find a buddy," said James Doss-Golin. "Get a friend who's also applying to college, put your deadlines on their calendar, put their deadlines on your calendar. Push each other to succeed."

James Doss-Golin is a sophomore at Yale University. He graduated from Wilbur-Cross in 2011. On Thursday, he spoke to high school juniors about the importance of having support while applying to college. At Wilbur Cross, that support just got a little stronger.

"We recognize that we need support for kids in order to prepare for college," said Mayor John DeStefano. "And Yale-New Haven Hospital has sponsored a program called College Summit. It starts actually in kindergarten, but continues all the way through high school."

"We really share the goal of making New Haven a really prosperous city," said Marna Borgstrom, President of Yale-New Haven Hospital. "And kids need to have educations in order to be able to get good jobs to be vital members of the community."

College Summit launched in New Haven in 2009. It is now offered to all students in six schools. In 2013, the Sound School, High School in the community, and Wilbur Cross will implement the program. Students will have access to counselors, resources to help develop college plans, prepare for entrance exams, and assist in the application process.

Since the program began two years ago, organizers say 90 percent of participants have taken the ACT or SAT's and four out of five of those students have gone on to apply to college.

Based on the excitement in the auditorium during the big announcement, adding the program at Cross is sure to be a success.

"When I say college, you say Summit. College, Summit. College, Summit."

"I was inspired today and I can't wait to watch these kids just continue to do extraordinary things," said Borgstrom.