Paying it forward: a peer-staffed program for navigating college admissions

Paying it forward: a peer-staffed program for navigating college admissions

Author: Ethical Schools August 26, 2023 Duration: 45:45

We speak with Michael Sanchez, executive director of Circle Match (formerly TCAT), a program that helps students in underserved high schools apply to colleges. Circle Match serves low income students, primarily of color, who are the first in their families to apply to college. Participants in turn assist classmates, thus creating a college-going culture and subsequently on-campus support. Circle Match students have been extraordinarily successful in gaining admission to elite colleges and universities.

Overview

00:00-00:43 Intros

00:43-02:14 Michael Sanchez’s own K-12 and college admission experiences

02:14-05:27 How these experiences influenced the concept of Circle Match

05:27-10:34 How Circle Match works

10:34-13:56 The people involved in Circle Match

13:56-15:46 Helping students with culture shock at Ivy league schools

15:46-18:54 Students’ responses to giant differences in wealth, income, expectations

18:54-21:10 Affinity groups of different types

21:10-23:36 Why Circle Match focuses on Ivies and other prestigious schools

23:36-26:21 Working with students who won’t get into Ivies

26:21-28:38 Making connections with other-than-Hispanic communities

28:38-30:22 Next schools to partner with

30:22-33:04 Communication with parents

33:04-34:07 Data on families

34:07-35:45 Admissions success rate

35:45-37:59 Going away to college as an issue for parents


Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 240

Ethical Schools
Podcast Episodes
Lev Moscow offers advice for secondary school teachers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
We interview Lev Moscow who, for the last 14 years, has taught history and economics at The Beacon School in New York City. Lev reflects that advisory, done well, can serve as a venue for students to explore questions of…
Leo Ackley on teaching in Finland’s consistently superior schools [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:00
Amy interviews Leo Ackley, who emigrated to Finland in the 1972. He taught art, history of architecture, design, and engineering in Finnish schools for 37 years. We discuss the Finnish system. Teachers have autonomy to d…
Kym Vanderbilt on ethical early childhood teacher preparation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:00
We interview Kym Vanderbilt, Lecturer and Professional Development Liaison in the Early Childhood/Childhood Department at CUNY/Lehman College. Kym describes her students’ concerns about meeting the needs of teacher assis…
Silvia Canales on Relationship-Based College Counseling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:45
We speak with Silvia Canales, who coordinates the college advisory program at Brotherhood/Sister Sol, an organization that provides comprehensive and holistic support services to underserved youth. Silvia talks about ful…