The Ivy League Connection

Now in its ninth year, The Ivy League Connection is a privately financed scholarship program designed to promote the college-going culture in the high schools of the West Contra Costa Unified School District in the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded by School Board members Madeline Kronenberg and Charles Ramsey and administered by Charles, Madeline, and Don Gosney, the ILC is a 100% voluntary effort by everyone involved. Even the school administrators volunteer their time and efforts.

Nationally and State recognized for their innovative approaches, the ILC works hand in hand with the District to provide scholarships to summer programs at highly selective Ivy League schools. For 2013 there are 11 programs at six schools available to the District’s students. For more information, see: '14 ILC Course Offerings URLs

Kayla!

The program is available to all qualified sophomores and juniors meeting the basic qualification standards of a weighted GPA (from the 9th grade) of 3.75. Applicants must submit a generic Pre-Essay explaining why they want to be a part of the ILC and then a lengthier program-specific essay. A selection committee will review the transcripts, test scores, and essays and develop a ranked list of applicants to be interviewed by a panel of professionals that may include doctors, lawyers, architects, scientists, elected officials, city managers, teachers and more. The panelists are given wide latitude with their selections with the proviso that the ILC will only send qualified students to these programs.

Origami Crane

More and more of our students are being made aware that the chances for a better life are much greater with a high school diploma than it is without one. The same is true for people with a college education. We want our students to understand this and to embrace the opportunity for a better life.