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Early-Decision Keep calm, and work on quality college applications

October 29, 2021
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October 29, 2021

Everyone knows that Oct. 31 is Halloween, but Nov. 1 can be more frightful among high school seniors. It’s their first deadline for Early Decision—the college admissions equivalent of a marriage proposal.

TeenSHARPies don’t shy away from the challenge. On the contrary, 40 students in our pre-college programs will apply Early Decision this year, up from 30 students in 2021.

The process is both intense and worthwhile, giving a substantial edge to applicants by showing prospective colleges they’re the student’s first choice. Early Decision admission bodes well for financial aid, too. Last year, for instance, Early Decision admittees from TeenSHARP received an average of $70,000 per year in grant aid from their schools. 

Still, there’s one good reason a student should reconsider rushing to apply early, according to Co-Founder Tatiana Poladko:  if they didn’t start months ago.

“For the students who engage actively in their senior-year advising, it’s a message they’ve heard many times:  quality applications come above early deadlines!” Poladko said. “You will not receive any cool points for submitting applications early if they are of poor quality.”

The majority of SHARPies who plan to submit applications on Nov. 1 began working with the TeenSHARP team (including Co-Founder Tatiana Poladko, who advises the senior class, one-on-one, each year) as early as August. At the latest they began October 1. Any less time than that, Poladko said, will not allow a student the preparation they need, and deserve, to put their most impactful application forward. 

Still, 12th grade students across Delaware may feel anxious or obligated to submit something, Poladko said, as many public schools require their seniors to submit at least one college application in school. “That kind of thinking will get you your first rejection or your first unaffordable admissions or your first admission to a college that is academically below your level of readiness,” she said.

Whether it’s Early or Regular Decision, Poladko said that students must emphasize quality over quantity with their admissions, plan ahead, and reach out for help sooner than later. For access to college prep through TeenSHARP, learn more and apply here.

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Deborah Yanez

Parent Programs Manager

Deborah leads TeenSHARP’s parent empowerment work with love, conviction, and credibility. She grew up in one of America’s poorest cities (Camden, NJ), has served as an elected school board member, raised two sons who have accessed higher education successfully (one is a TeenSHARP alumnus and McCabe Scholar at Swarthmore) along with her husband, and has helped many more families prepare their children for college.

Zoha Fatima

Director of Operations & Special Projects

Zoha is driven by a deep passion for education and social justice. With over 8 years of experience in the development sector, she has made significant contributions to various education projects aimed at increasing access and equity. Zoha’s commitment to empowering learners stems from her belief that education is a fundamental right. She honed her expertise at Harvard University, earning a Master’s in Education and Technology, building upon her undergraduate studies in Public Policy.

Based in the Bay Area, Zoha loves exploring the diverse California landscape, especially through hiking. When she’s not championing educational equity, you can find her baking, hitting the trails, or enjoying the outdoor.

Sara Petty

Director of Pre-College Success

Sara Petty is TeenSHARP’s powerhouse Director of Pre-College Success, orchestrating a nationwide expansion to ensure that talented Black, Latino, and low-income students have a direct path to elite colleges. With a proven track record from her days scaling a college access program in Houston, Sara has a knack for turning educational challenges into triumphs. She thrives on transforming obstacles into opportunities and is known for her relentless drive and innovative solutions. When she’s not making waves in the world of education, you can find her brainstorming the next big idea over a cup of coffee or diving into a new book that sparks her curiosity. Sara’s mission? To make sure every student has the chance to unlock their full potential and claim their spot in the future’s top colleges.

Tamara Fentress

Chief of Staff

For over 18 years, Tamara has been a passionate advocate for educational equity, inclusion, and the overall improvement of support structures to build a solid foundation for the journey of learning. Driven by a desire to see all students and families thrive, she has successfully led major projects of varying budget sizes, while also co-creating and implementing innovative strategies at mission-driven organizations across various operational areas, from technology and project management to legal and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEIB) initiatives.

Her journey began in a large urban school district, where she spent a significant portion of her career leading the development of critical strategies that served over 86,000 students. This experience allowed her to work closely with a diverse team of over 10,000 employees, understanding and addressing needs across all levels of the organization. Her collaborative spirit extended beyond the school district, fostering strong partnerships with parent groups, community organizations, and government entities.

Tamara’s dedication to education stems from a deeply personal place. As a mother to two inspiring children, Harmony and Hudson, she sees firsthand the potential and power of having access to opportunities, caring adults, and belief in that which is greater than yourself.  This unwavering belief in the power of serving others, access, equity, and education to empower and transform lives fuels her commitment to continuous learning and creating equitable opportunities for all.

Tatiana Poladko

Co-Founder

Our “force of nature” founder came to New Jersey from Ukraine for graduate school over a decade ago and immediately put her hands to the work of community empowerment and expanding educational opportunity. She has experience managing youth programs for the UN in Ukraine (at the age of 19!), teaching at Temple University, building/managing nonprofit organizations, and supporting students to and through college. She is also a mother to three lovely kids (Zoryana, Nazariy, and Taras), plays guitar and piano, and makes amazing soups!

Atnre Alleyne

Co-Founder/CEO

As TeenSHARP’s resident historian, Atnre is quick to share stories of the organization’s humble church basement beginnings, its growing pains, and many milestones. With his background in research and evaluation, policy and advocacy, communications, technology, and instruction, he has the type of Swiss Army knife skills that are critical in a fast-paced social impact organization. He has three lovely children (Zoryana, Nazariy, and Taras), an amazing wife (TeenSHARP’s Co-Founder), and he plays bass guitar and blogs when he finds the time.