Program start date: Sunday, June 24 2012
Program end date: Saturday, July 21 2012
Deadline for applications will be April 20, 2012. Extensions will be considered in emergency situations.
Notification of selections will be done by May 25, 2012.
Applications can be submitted via the website at anytime.
What is COW?
COW is a challenging summer educational enrichment program, which prepares male minority high school rising juniors and seniors to achieve success during the remainder of their high school careers and beyond. This is done by cultivating confidence, greater self-esteem, a stronger work ethic, and a commitment to achieving success in spite of the many challenges facing them.
Students are also encouraged to seek higher education, and the program helps prepare them for the varied demands of the college experience. Being integrated into the college environment and associating with college professors and students exposes these young men to a world of new possibilities.
During the 25 years of its operation, COW has influenced the lives of approximately 625 participants, many of whom have now gone on to complete college, trade schools, the military, and other civilian pursuits. As of August 2011, approximately seventy to seventy five percent of former participants have attended college.
COW Concept
Create a challenging and demanding summer college program for minority students with some disadvantage, which would build on the strengths of strong students, as well as motivate marginal performers, instilling in them success oriented habits. High expectations, candid and immediate feedback, and an environment of honesty and dignity breeds success. Those are the foundations of COW.
COW Mission
To fulfill the promise of a democratic society, The College Orientation Workshop, Inc. shall dedicate itself to improve the opportunities for educational and life success for promising minority and at-risk students; to help more effectively utilize the untapped potential and wealth of talent within the minority and disadvantaged communities; and to cultivate a pool of motivated students who are eager to pursue higher learning and succeed at it.
What we do
At COW, we provide a period of intense academic instruction, in a disciplined college environment. Instruction will be provided to improve grammar, syntax, spelling, vocabulary, literary analysis, and public speaking. We administer diagnostic tests for mathematical skills, which will enable the instructors to concentrate on the individual needs of the student, and to alert students of their strengths and weaknesses. Students will be helped to discover the enjoyment to be found in the out-of-doors and in nature. Extensive wilderness experiences will be arranged and weekly meetings with visiting professionals from all walks of life will be held. We help students learn how to stretch beyond their normal comfort zones.
Specific Objectives
- Evaluate students’ academic readiness for college-level work, while they still have one or two years of high school remaining (to prepare to meet college requirements).
- Help students attain a realistic perception of college and motivate them to prepare for, and seek admission to a college of their choice.
- Familiarize students with college-level work in communications, written and oral, mathematics, and computer science.
- Provide curricular and career choice counseling where appropriate.
- Teach students study skills and provide a rigorous physical training regimen.
- Provide students access to strong role models, by giving them the opportunity to meet and closely associate with VMI cadets and alumni.
- Expose students to an environment significantly different than those to which they are accustom.
“Making the world better than we found it”
Contact Us:
Address: Virginia Military Institute Department of Physical Education Room 320
Lexington, VA 24450
Phone: 540.464.7575
Fax: 540.464.7665
Email: COW Staff Email
Mr. Coale: coaleja@vmi.edu
Mr. Williams: cow4life@live.com
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, speaker, recruiting partner or volunteer please contact us ASAP
Save the Date: COW Charity Golf Tournament in Richmond, VA on May 11, 2012
