CollegeSnaps Information

CollegeSnaps is an organization that develops expertise in connecting first-generation/low-income, students currently in high school with similar first-generation/low-income students currently at University. Through the use of the Snapchat platform, we connect mentors and mentees through similarities based on their region of origin, intended field of study, extracurricular interests, etc. Snapchat is widely used by our target audience and we believe that through it first-generation/low-income students in high school will receive genuine insight into what college life is like. Using our partners’ networks, CollegeSnaps will connect first-generation students at universities with talented first-generation/low-income students who have similar interests and are currently enrolled in high school. CollegeSnaps will facilitate interactions by using these three main methods: 1. Individual Matches Individual connections will be based upon interests and background. The aim is to connect like-minded mentors and mentees so that mentees see that there are people like them who are successful at University. As the mentor goes through their daily life, they will be able to send snapshots to their mentees; shows they see, the food they eat, a demonstration by a professor, etc. 2. Student Groups Mentees will also be able to follow campus groups such as sports teams, departments, residential colleges, dance groups and the whole variety of clubs that exist on college campuses. Mentors in these groups will be able to upload to the group-wide story and these group-wide stories will be available for any mentee to follow. 3. Campus Stories Following a similar structure, mentees will also be able to follow campus-wide stories. The highlights across all the groups will be posted in the campus-wide story. Through this, high school students get a feel for the atmosphere of the colleges they are interested in.