PACT, Inc. - About Us -College Skills Development Seminar

The College Skills Development Seminar was initiated in 2002.

Coming from families whose parents are not college experienced, students suffer high levels of fear and frustration at the prospect of entering an unfamiliar college environment.

The one week Seminar was developed to acquaint first generation, low-income students entering college with realistic expectations to assure them in their first year of college.

The seminar included workshops designed to build skills and provide information on campus resources engaged students who had participated in the PACT college counseling program during the academic year and have been admitted to college for the Fall term.

Our survey of student workshops and the seminar overall indicated a high level of satisfaction with the program. The need for this seminar is evidenced by the fact that 78% of the students served by PACT are both low income and the first generation in their families to plan to attend college.

Goals of College Skills Development

To assure that participants learn to effectively utilize campus resources such as the library, Student Learning Center, EOP, Tutorial services, campus health center, financial aid office, computer labs and counseling services.
To assure that students will learn the basics of managing their financial resources, particularly budgeting, credit cards and the financial aid process.
To provide information on personal adjustments necessary, including roommate relationships, building a balanced social life, crises management independent decision making and time management.
To provide an intensive writing review course, including types of essays expected of Freshmen, expository and argumentative writing, research expected, and blue book examples.
To provide a review of test taking skills.