In an era of social media, random distractions, mounting schoolwork and a plethora of activities on offer, children need some assistance to help them focus on achievable goals and use their time productively. Added to this, college admissions rates have been shrinking, making it harder for students to stand out. For example, for the Class of 2006, Harvard University’s acceptance rate was 10.5 percent. For the Class of 2026, this has dropped to 3.19 percent. This is where a student mentorship programme can help.
A mentor serves as a role model for your child and can aid them in their challenging transitions at home and in school. Your child will work closely with their mentors to forge supportive relationships which have an immediate and long-term impact. Such close interactions can improve your child’s interpersonal skills, enhance their academic motivation, increase their self-esteem and develop leadership qualities; all key character traits which will help them in the future.
An effective mentorship programme for students can comprise:
1) Academic counselling:
A mentor can provide your child with personalised insights and clarity in curriculum selection and subject selection. By working together with your child, a mentor can help them meet their academic milestones and provide feedback at every step, thereby enabling them towards an upward academic trajectory.
2) Psychometric testing and academic exploration:
Through a psychometric test, certified mentors can help your child identify their academic strengths and career pathways at an early age. This allows them to make informed decisions about their future. Based on the test results, a mentor can expose your child to different opportunities, such as online courses, enabling them to explore their academic options beyond the classroom as well as build essential skill sets.
3) Extracurricular activities direction:
A great way to develop your child’s leadership abilities is to engage in extracurricular activities. By offering the correct guidance, a mentor will be able to assist your child in narrowing down a few activities. This enables them to go in-depth into a few interests rather than participate in a wide range of activities. Continuity and commitment toward a few activities will help your child showcase their motivation, while highlighting their unique interests and contribution from an admissions perspective.
4) Resume building:
A mentor can also encourage your child to participate in internships, value-adding workshops, online courses and hobbies that can enhance their personal growth. The goal of these activities is to help students explore genuine interests and develop unique perspectives, which will be attractive to potential colleges and future employers.
5) Summer school assistance:
Summer activities are a great way to learn as they allow your child to step out of their comfort zone. A mentor can suggest summer schools in India and abroad, where your child can elevate their academic skills, experience different cultures and languages, build communication skills and even become more independent.
6) Standardised test guidance:
Based on your child’s timetable, a mentor can help devise a timeline for tests. Mentors can also share helpful insights about test prep strategies and how best to achieve and improve scores.
7) Admission prep:
Based on your child’s needs and interests, a mentor can suggest colleges that will be the right fit for them. Mentors have knowledge about individual campuses and the strengths of their programmes, which they can share with your child. A mentor can also prepare your child to interact with admissions representatives who visit their school or city, or now even virtually.
The Red Pen’s Mentorship Programme:
At The Red Pen, we understand the importance of mentorship and have devised a comprehensive student mentorship programme that provides your child with all of the above and more. We work on building a strong mentor-student relationship to provide consistent support and guide your child on how to spend their time well, know themselves and stay on the right track. We aim to help students find their secret recipe for a fulfilling career.
Our mentorship programme starts with an in-depth profile analysis by trained consultants to understand your child’s individual profile through a get-to-know-you session. This enables them to assess their experiences, achievements and skills. After this, we create a roadmap based on your child’s academic calendar, with regular meetings to explore their interests and ability. Additionally, we support students with academic and career exploration through psychometric tests analysed by certified experts.
Apart from this, we help your child look for extracurricular activities outside of school and encourage them to explore a variety of interests such as music, art, coding and community service among many others before they find a connection to one or two. We also provide information about workshops and summer programmes and work towards finding those that will help improve your child’s skills and confidence. We have vetted 100+ enrichment programmes over the years and have a host of opportunities and ideas to help your child explore varied interests.
When it comes to college applications, our consultants help develop a list of institutions that are the best fit for your child. We personally have access to admissions officers from different colleges, which is very helpful in gaining specific knowledge about what the college is looking for in its applicants. Our consultants can also connect your child to the best test preparation tutors worldwide who will work with them to achieve their potential.
We offer workshops throughout the year that enable students to develop holistic skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, among many more. A highlight of the mentorship programme is preparing your child ready to write a compelling college essay that will set them apart from their peers. Admissions officers only have a few minutes to read through each essay, so standing out is imperative. The essay allows your child to showcase their talents and tell their story.
With the correct guidance, a mentor can help your child discover their true potential and help them make the most of their time. At The Red Pen, we will work with your child throughout the year, monitoring their progress and providing them with consistent support. For more information about our mentorship programme, get in touch with us.
