History

Let's Get Ready began in 1998, when a group of college students from Westchester (NY) realized that the knowledge and expertise they had gained while applying to college could substantially benefit younger students who lacked access to critical support resources. With the help of community leaders, they began to provide free SAT and college preparation in a Mount Vernon church basement. Two founding volunteers (who were attending Harvard College at the time) brought the program to Harvard, where it continues as a Harvard club and a bridge between Harvard and one of Boston's lowest income communities.

In 2000, the College Board granted LGR unique seed funding to come to New York City and to replicate Harvard's program on a much wider scale. Today, Let's Get Ready is taking an innovative and successful program model to scale. With the support of caring individuals, foundations and corporations, LGR is building a movement of students helping students "step up" to college.

Success to date:

• In 2007, LGR ran 40 programs throughout the northeast.
• Let's Get Ready has guided more than 5,000 under-served students through the college process.
• Let's Get Ready has trained and supported 2,000 college student volunteers with outstanding results.
• 92% of Let's Get Ready students go directly to college after high school.
• 84% of Let's Get Ready students go directly to four year colleges.
• On average, LGR students increase their SAT scores by 110 points.