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want a student going to a school where they ’ ll be hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt . We focus on colleges that make sense for the students , where they can be happy and successful in non-academics , too , so they ’ ll graduate in four years . �
�iran Seepersad , an �dMom scholar attending �ast �range ’ s ST�M Academy , says she has already gotten crucial help from her consultant . �She ’ s been helping me with how to navigate ( the system ), and keeping me with a good deadline , because I ’ m trying to get everything done for �arly Access , � Seepersad says , referring to programs that let students get an early response to college applications . �And then we go in-depth every session with my essay or resume activity . �
Seepersad says she ’ s interested in acareer in psychology or �ournalism , and is applying to Columbia University and New �ork University . She wishes more students could receive the same guidance and support . �It ’ sagreat opportunity for students , because they are getting the help they need in order to �nalize their college requirements and apply to these schools , � she says . �I feel that everybody needs this direction , because right now in school , alot of seniors are not getting the help I ’ m getting . �
SU��LEMENTING GUI�ANCE
�ROM SCHOOLS
�dMom volunteers can provide the time and help that many high school counselors can ’ t due to the sheer number of students they have to advise , says �ennifer Martin , Seepersad ’ s�dMom consultant . �The average in America right now is about ��� students assigned per counselor , � Martin says . �I don ’ ttake more than �� to �� students that are seniors per year . We have a lot more time . �iran and Ihave had time to get to know each other , and Iknow about her extracurricular activities pretty intimately at this point . �
Searching for colleges can be a
CAM��S TO�R �ate Sonnenber�� Montclair resident and e�ecutive director o� nonpro�t EdMom Scholars� pauses in �ront o� the Montclair State University admissions department�
dif�cult �ourney , and many families aren ’ t well-educated on how to manage a complicated admissions process , Martin says . ��or students whose families are not exposed to college or don ’ t have the experience , it ’ s really hard to work your way through that process , � she says . �That type of support is priceless . It changes lives in away that is very tangible , not �ust for one generation , but for multiple generations . �
�dMom applications for students who will be seniors inthe ����-���� academic year are of�cially open . The program ’ s goal is to expand and recruit upto��students around North �ersey who meet its quali�cations , Sonnenberg says . �We would love to have some Montclair High School students in �dMoms , �she says . �I feel very committed to �ssex County and Montclair . �
Sonnenberg and her family moved to Montclair in ���� . �My husband grew up in New �ork City and I ’ m from Washington , D . C ., � she says . �We ’ dnever lived in the suburbs before . The only place I would live in New �ersey was Montclair , because it has the same diversity I experienced growing up . � Though her own children have moved away , �We haven ’ t left because it ’ s worth it to me to live in aplace where the values of the community are great , � she says , �and consistent with the way I look at the world . � ■
COURTESY OF �ATE SONNENBERG
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HOLIDAY 2022 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE