How are applications graded?
All student and mentor applications are blindly assessed by a panel of graders. Each application is graded twice and the average of the score is used to determine placement. Any identifiable information from your application will remain hidden during the grading process, so the emphasis is truly on the effort you’ve put into your application responses.
What are the eligibility standards for student applicants? Mentor applicants?
Students must be in 9th to 12th grade to apply for College Expedition. We welcome college students (2nd year and up) as well as young professionals to apply as mentors.
Can only Ismailis apply for College Expedition?
Yes, College Expedition USA is open to Ismaili students and mentors.
advice for students applying to CE for the first time?
Give yourself enough time to complete the application without waiting until the last minute. We’d love to get an understanding of your goals and dreams, so show us your voice through your application responses. You should internalize what all you’d like to learn from this experience.
Can students apply for CE if they’ve already attended before?
Absolutely! If you are applying as a returning student, try to focus on what new things you’d like to gain from this additional CE experience and what additional value this would provide for you in your college application process.
If you attend one of the colleges that CE will be visiting and would like to volunteer as a tour guide, who should you contact?
If you are interested in volunteering as a tour guide or point of contact for your university, please email us at collegeexpeditionusa@gmail.com. We appreciate your help!
How are schools chosen for each trip?
In order to determine the combination of schools for each expedition, a team of individuals from mixed backgrounds collaborated to form a mix of schools that would provide students with a variety of academic and personal opportunities.
The following factors were assessed for each academic institutions: public/private, school environment, highly-ranked 75 colleges, acceptance rate, annual cost (undergrad tuition + fees,) % of students on financial aid, last CE visit, graduation rates as well as presence of Ismailis.
The following factors were assessed for each academic institutions: public/private, school environment, highly-ranked 75 colleges, acceptance rate, annual cost (undergrad tuition + fees,) % of students on financial aid, last CE visit, graduation rates as well as presence of Ismailis.
What value can CE provide for me in my college application process?
Not only does College Experience give you a tour of renowned universities in the U.S., but we also aim to connect you with mentors and peers who will support you through high school, your college application and selection journey, and long afterwards.
Additionally, you will be exposed to various topics around college applications and life as a university student, such as Financial Aid, Essay Writing and Common Application. Through this program, we hope to encourage thought and introspection, so that you can leave the weekend focusing on your goals, interests and purpose that will ultimately play a factor in not just which colleges you choose to apply to and attend, but also your life beyond education as well.
Additionally, you will be exposed to various topics around college applications and life as a university student, such as Financial Aid, Essay Writing and Common Application. Through this program, we hope to encourage thought and introspection, so that you can leave the weekend focusing on your goals, interests and purpose that will ultimately play a factor in not just which colleges you choose to apply to and attend, but also your life beyond education as well.
Can students from other countries apply for CE?
We encourage Ismaili students from other countries to attend CE if they are interested in the schools that we are visiting.
Where do we stay during CE?
All CEs stay at hotels during the duration of the expedition.
How much does CE cost, and what does this cover?
There is no cost to attending CE Virtual. When we resume in person trips, there will be a cost to cover hotel, bus transportation and several meals throughout expedition weekend. Financial aid is always available within the application for those who qualify.
