G.O.A.T. (Goals, Organization, Applications & Transcripts) was created in response to the observation that academically high-caliber students, particularly Black students, were being ignored and underserved by their high school counselors. This lack of attention and preparedness was resulting in students being ill-prepared to apply to college, leading to limited acceptance options, scholarships, and increased debt, anxiety, and frustration.
The program encourages students to find their voice, develop their leadership style, gain organizational tools and skills, set goals, monitor their transcripts, and explore various academic and extracurricular options. Students will have workshops presented to them which focus on financial literacy, resource assessments, personal organization, public speaking, community advocacy, and creating a professional portfolio. G.O.A.T. exposes students and families to college options, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and emphasizes the importance of school-life balance, self-care, and mental health.
The goals of G.O.A.T. include increasing the number of Black students enrolled in four-year colleges with limited debt, supporting goal setting, exposing students to successful role models and college experiences that reflect the diversity of the Black experience, and providing awareness of academic intervention options.