The Rising Fellowship Mission

Helping the next generation of underrepresented students rise into college and navigate it.

The Rising Fellowship supports high-achieving students, especially within the Latine community, as they navigate the college admissions process and prepare to thrive in higher education. Through mentorship, application guidance, and a structured senior-year fellowship, we help students build the tools, confidence, and networks needed to access selective universities and succeed beyond admission

Real Impact.

Our Edúcate and Learn initiative teaches pre-high school students about the importance of their high school years and about non-traditional paths to college and beyond.

What is the fellowship?

The Rising Fellowship is an independent, volunteer-run program that helps high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds, especially Latine, first-generation, and low-income students, navigate the college admissions process and prepare for success in higher education. Students are paired one-on-one with a mentor who is currently in college or has recently graduated, and who works with them on school selection, applications, essays, and recommendations. Mentees receive the kind of guidance that is often available only at well-resourced schools or through private counseling. The program is built on the belief that talent is everywhere, but access is not. The Rising Fellowship aims to connect talented students with universities that value diverse leadership, resilience, and lived experience. Over time, the fellowship seeks to build a national network of scholars who support one another before, during, and after college.

What will you gain?

  • One-on-one mentorship from someone currently in college or recently graduated from a selective school, matched to your background and goals

  • Direct help with school selection, application strategy, essays, and how to approach recommendation letters

  • Real-time feedback on your drafts throughout your application cycle, at whatever pace fits your timeline

  • Access to conversations with educators, students, alumni, and professionals familiar with selective college pathways

  • An optional ambassador role after the program, supporting other first-generation and low-income students

Who Can Apply?

All students are welcome to apply. The Rising Fellowship is especially focused on students from diverse, underrepresented, first-generation, low-income, immigrant, or adverse life backgrounds who are committed to educational achievement and need support in translating their story, goals, and strengths into a strong college application.

Important Dates

August 1, 2026: The Common App opens for the cycle. Students can begin filling out the application, link recommenders, and start school-specific supplements. Ivy100 Education

October 1, 2026: The FAFSA typically opens. Appffeine

November 1 to 15, 2026: Most Early Decision and Early Action deadlines. Restrictive Early Action programs at schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton limit where else you can apply early. RISE Research

November 30, 2026: University of California applications are due, earlier than most Common App schools. Ivy100 Education

Mid-December 2026: Most Early Decision and Restrictive Early Action results are released, usually the second or third week of December. Oriel Admissions

January 1 to 15, 2027: Most Regular Decision deadlines, plus second-round Early Decision deadlines at schools that offer it. RISE Research

Mid-February 2027: Second-round Early Decision results are released. Oriel Admissions

Mid-March to early April 2027: Regular Decision results. Ivy Day, when all eight Ivy League schools release simultaneously, historically falls in the final week of March and posts to applicant portals in the early evening Eastern time. Oriel Admissions

May 1, 2027: National Decision Day. Enrollment deposits are due. Appffeine

Edúcate & Learn

The Educate & Learn platform serves to expand access of knowledge of how to access academic institutions, you can follow our YouTube website in which we post valuable information about how to navigate high school and prepare for college.

We Can Come To Your School!

As part of our programming, we offer talks to middle school and high school students on how to approach college applications and prioritize their time. Reach out and connect, and let’s set a time to talk!