On Friday, September 13, 2024, Dr. Ricardo Ortegón had the privilege of delivering a 'Planning for College' workshop at San Benito High School in San Benito, Texas. The event brought together students, parents, and the team from the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department at San Benito CISD, led by Ms. Amy Rodriguez, the Director of FACE. Born and raised in South Texas, Dr. Ortegón was excited to be back in his home region, sharing his expertise with the community. Hosting this workshop aligned perfectly with the mission he established when founding GPS College Guidance—to encourage as many students as possible to pursue higher education. Dr. Ortegón truly enjoyed the opportunity to work with the students and families of San Benito, helping them navigate the path to college success.

Dr. Ricardo Ortegón, Founder, GPS College Guidance

The workshop consisted of three key components designed to equip students and families with practical tools for college planning. First, Dr. Ortegón presented his top 10 tips for college preparation, covering critical topics such as the college planning timeline, academic readiness, ACT/SAT prep, letters of recommendation, and crafting impactful application essays.

Next, he provided an overview of free resources available to help students and families navigate the college search and research process, including websites, tools, and guides for identifying the right fit schools and scholarship opportunities.

Hands-on session working on college applications.

The final component was a hands-on session, where students had the opportunity to begin or continue working on their college applications with real-time support from Dr. Ortegón, ensuring they left with tangible progress and a clearer path forward.

The workshop was designed to be interactive, fostering engagement and encouraging active participation from students and families. Throughout the presentation, he incorporated several thought-provoking questions to keep students engaged and prompt reflection on their college planning journey. From considering their ideal college environment to thinking about their academic and extracurricular strengths, these questions helped make the session dynamic and relatable.

Students were also encouraged to ask questions at any point during the workshop, creating an open and supportive atmosphere. This interactive approach ensured that attendees felt comfortable sharing their thoughts, clarifying doubts, and gaining personalized insights tailored to their individual goals. By making the workshop a dialogue rather than just a lecture, students were encouraged to take ownership of their college preparation process.

Students and families left the workshop with valuable insights and actionable steps to guide their college planning journey. The 10 tips for planning provided a clear roadmap, from understanding the importance of academic preparation to navigating the financial aid and scholarship process. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of how to leverage free resources to identify colleges that align with their goals and needs.

The hands-on workshop session allowed students to make tangible progress on their college applications, leaving them more confident in taking the next steps. Dr. Ortegón’s tailored advice for first-generation and underrepresented students was particularly impactful, equipping them with strategies to overcome challenges and maximize their opportunities.

Dr. Ortegón’s 'Planning for College' workshop was an invaluable resource for students and families in the San Benito community. Combining expert guidance, interactive engagement, and practical tools, the session empowered attendees to approach the college application process with confidence and clarity. As someone born and raised in South Texas, Dr. Ortegón was honored to give back to his community and help students take meaningful steps toward achieving their educational aspirations. Workshops like these exemplify GPS College Guidance’s commitment to making higher education accessible for all students.

At GPS College Guidance, we are proud to support Dr. Ortegón's initiatives and are committed to continuing our mission of guiding students and families through the college admissions process. Together, we can empower the leaders of tomorrow and build a brighter future for all.

GPS College Guidance

GPS College Guidance specializes in providing boutique-style college admissions consulting services. Our approach revolves around delivering individualized and highly personalized guidance, tailoring our services to meet each student's unique needs and aspirations. With over 25 years of experience working with students, we understand that the college admissions process varies for every individual.

Our primary focus is on student success, and we begin by getting to know each student personally, considering their entire journey of college admission from school selection to enrollment.

Schedule your complimentary consultation today and learn how GPS College Guidance can guide you throughout the college admissions process.

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