The Delaware College Scholars program helped Middletown senior Brandon Dawson, who will be a first-generation college student when he attends Duke this fall, with the college application process.
When Brandon Dawson, 17, was a sophomore at Middletown High School in the Appoquinimink School District, his school counselor called him down to her office. She said she had good news: Brandon had qualified for the Delaware College Scholars (DCS) program – the only student in the entire school who was eligible – and she asked Brandon if he would like to apply.
The only problem was that neither Brandon nor his counselor knew anything about DCS. Just that it was a new program in Delaware, in its first year, targeting firstgeneration college students. Brandon was planning to be a first-generation college student. And the program would assist students with the college application process. Brandon knew he wanted to attend college.
“So I figured it wouldn’t hurt to apply,” Brandon said.
Now a senior at Middletown H.S., Brandon credits DCS with educating him on all the different options available for college – including those out of state – and how to manage the costs. He says that the support DCS gave him during the college application process was invaluable, helping him to write college essays and also prepare a mock application.
“I was ready to submit my application well before the deadline, saving me the time and stress from scrambling to finish at the last moment,” Brandon said.
This fall Brandon will attend Duke University to study environmental science and policy. “As I went through the DCS program and learned more about what different colleges have to offer, I knew that Duke University was where I belonged,” Brandon said.
Brandon said he chose Duke for its unique programs in environmental science and its opportunities to travel abroad and conduct service work.
No doubt Duke officials are excited to have Brandon as well. Born in Middletown, Brandon grew up in the Appoquinimink School District. The oldest of three, he is an honors student, takes Advanced Placement (AP) classes and is extremely involved in extracurricular activities. In high school, he served as both the president of the National Honor Society and the Middletown FFA Chapter. He was the first Delaware student in 10 years to be awarded a semi-finalist in the National FFA Extemporaneous Speaking competition. Since his freshman year, Brandon has performed in eight school plays and musicals – most recently as the Cat in the Hat in “Seussical the Musical.” He also participates in Puppetry in Education, was a 2016 Poetry Out Loud finalist and enjoys running.
“While I do believe that I would have gone to college regardless of the program, I was failing to consider other choices around the country because of the cost of attendance and a general lack of education on college,” Brandon said.
“It is truly impossible to put into words the ways in which DCS has helped me.”
Since 2014, DCS has seen more than 120 bright and promising Delaware students participate in its program on the campus of St. Andrews School in Middletown.
Rising high school juniors, seniors and college freshmen spend three weeks for three consecutive summers at DCS – beginning the summer immediately following sophomore year until the summer after graduation – gaining the academic and social skills necessary for college success.
The goal of DCS is to give Delaware students the know-how to enroll in and graduate from a four-year university. The program also helps ensure that each student is prepared to succeed in his or her post-secondary plans.
Days are spent attending SAT preparation classes as well as courses in college essay writing, math and literacy aimed to prepare students for university-level work. They learn human development and general organization and study habits, and different ways to relax and reduce stress through yoga, dance and sports.
Preference in DCS is given to those from low-income families who would be firstgeneration college-goers. The program is available to all students at no cost.
In his first summer, Brandon said he learned just about everything there was to know about college.
“I had no idea what financial aid was or how it could help me get to a good college,” Brandon said. From there he visited different universities to learn about the college admissions process and spoke with current college students to get a first-hand perspective of university living.
Throughout the school year and in between the DCS summer sessions, the program regularly checks in with its student to ensure that they are upholding rigorous school schedules and maintaining excellent grades.
DCS also aids in reducing "summer melt," which describes the trend affecting 12 to 40 percent of college-eligible students, usually from low-income families, who fail to follow through on their plans to attend college in the fall.
For Brandon, DCS has been a program he would definitely recommend to others. He says he is thankful for the valuable communication skills, academic responsibility, and time management the program provided and also the relationships he has been able to build.
“I have gained life-long friendships and connections from DCS” Brandon said. “There is no other program like this. Speak with anyone who has gone through DCS and they will tell you the same: If you are eligible to apply, do it.”
