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The Quest for Excellence Beyond Value Schools

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David Doyle visited the Bay Area recently and met with six Value Schools alumni currently attending University of California, Berkeley. 

Melissa R. '15, is currently a senior at UC Berkeley working on a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and hopes to become a physician's assistant.

"I was scared when I got here," said Melissa, "but I was prepared for the demanding writing courses because I had teachers like Ms. Kamp and Mr. Gray who pushed me in their AP classes." 
 
Value Schools works to equip all students with the tools not just to graduate but to succeed in higher education. We want 100% of our students, if they so choose, to graduate from four-year institutions. 
Coming from a low-income first generation household, there are things I had to learn on my own in order to navigate college.”
-- Melissa Rodriguez, Value Schools alumna and UC Berkeley senior
Our high school students work hard to gain entrance to four-year universities, but it can be a challenge to complete their education. 

"It is difficult to ever be fully prepared for college," says Melissa. "Coming from a low-income, first-generation household, there are things I had to learn in order to navigate college."

Many students have a difficult time adjusting to university life. For many it is the first time away from home and things familiar. Having faced these obstacles herself, Melissa has good advice for our graduating seniors.
 
"I have joined organizations that align with my beliefs and reinforce my passions," she says, "and if you are just entering college, I highly encourage it."

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Melissa is currently interviewing for jobs, completing her  physician's assistant hours, and studying for her GRE. She will study in Spain over the summer months. Like the others Mr. Doyle dined with that night, it took Melissa time to find her footing in a college environment, but she perseveres with the mantra of Value 1 in her mind: going to school is the most important thing I can do right now!
 
Like the others Mr. Doyle dined with that night, it took Melissa time to find her footing in a college environment, but she perseveres with the mantra of Value 1 in her mind: going to school is the most important thing I can do right now!
Published on December 18 2018
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