I recently received an email (and a letter in the mail) about the Noonan Scholars program. Apparently, it’s a program for Juniors that helps prepare them for colleges (specifically selective colleges) and even includes a 6 week residential summer program at Amherst College in Massachusetts. I am not familiar with this program and I haven’t found much information other than what is available on their website. Does anybody have more information about this program and is it legit?
Hi Chexxx,
I’ve been a part of the SCS Noonan Scholars program since my Sophomore year, and yes it is absolutely legitimate. The program focuses on recruiting juniors, and had recently gone from Los Angeles specific to nationwide. There are two summer programs held (one for rising seniors at Amherst, and one for rising college freshman at USC). The program includes scholarships but the summer programs, college counseling, and career mentorship are what really make the program shine.
I’ve attended both the USC and Amherst summer programs, and had excellent experiences at both. They both offer classes taught by professors from their respective institutions. This summer at the Amherst program I took a college writing course and a college calculus 2 course and I learned so much more than I ever could have in a high school class. The students were amazing—I had never been with a group of such diverse and intelligent people before.
After the program, I still had access to college counseling through the program, so I had a professional college couselor read my apps to ensure they were the best they could be for my ED deadline. So far this year, out of our 60 kids, 4/4 that applied EA to Stanford have been admitted.
The Noonan program is more than legitimate, it’s an amazing program that carries from the summer before senior year to after college with career aid. If you have any other questions, feel free to email the national head of recruitment (rwinston@scsnoonan.org).
PS: extra program perks include SAT prep (which raised my score to a 1450) and a macbook air (AND EVERYTHING IS ABSOLUTELY FREE IF YOU GET IN!!!)
I agree it is wise to view pre-college programs with some skepticism - many are just moneymakers for colleges in the summer, or somewhat shady for-profit orgs but honestly when the program is totally free to the student it’s hard to see the angle for being a scam.
I googled and found some third-party discussion of the program, you can too.
Hey Chexxx,
I am currently an SCS Noonan Scholar and last summer I attended the Summer Academy at Amherst. Similar to you, a year ago I looked up similar things as to whether this program was a scam, and I can tell you that it is far from that. Everything, I mean EVERYTHING, is free for this program. @neoyokio said most of what we did over the summer and explained some aspects as to why this program is so great.
What I would like to highlight is the support system that becomes available to you through this program. Starting from the summer of junior year, you will be working on college apps and preparing for the rigor of college. This program focuses on getting you into accredited universities and works to help you succeed at these schools. The college counselors, the residential advisors, and professors are all willing to help with any questions you have and are well versed in the college application process.
This program has, in essence, shifted my life for the better. Over this past summer, I met an inexplicably amazing group of self-driven students who all had the common goal to succeed and better themselves for their future. The people I met at this program have become dear friends of mine and are from all over the US. I have been motivated by the experiences I had at Amherst with all the other scholars.
Our senior group so far has acceptances - and matches through QuestBridge - to Stanford, Princeton, Northwestern, Rice, and Amherst, and there is a lot more to come in the following week because of the ED/EA response dates.
I would wholeheartedly recommend you to apply to SCS Noonan Scholars. This program is life-altering and will provide you with the means to get into prestigious universities and succeed, along with supporting you on your route to a future career.
All the first-time posters make me a little suspicious, I admit, but you guys seem to be mainly here to promote the program, I’m assuming? @Chexxx included?
No, I’m not really here to promote, just here to clear up the misunderstanding. And no, from what I understand, Chexxx is just a normal student.
Thank you everyone! I was skeptical at first since I did look up the program and couldn’t find a whole lot but @neoyokio and @Fraymz have cleared up some of my doubts and confusion. I’m a student in Chicago so I of course have not heard much of the program (which appears to be originally based in LA and then Boston before becoming available nationwide). The information you guys have provided has been really helpful and I’m definitely interested in applying 
I got an interview request! Anyone on here got one? Also, any alumni want to expand on their experiences here
I’m with @OHMomof2 on this one. When the only advocates (very enthusiastic advocates) are first time posters, I would be very skeptical.
I got an interview request yesterday and today my interviewer contacted me. Apparently, our interview will be held on Google Hangout
Although I’m skeptical of the posters credibility above, I do not believe that they’re lying. I’ve seen people mention kids from their schools going to this program being accepted to Stanford and such in a couple different places. Additionally, Noonan Scholars was also referenced and one of its directors quoted in a Washington Post article as well. I know it seems suspicious but I also know that the SCS Noonan post was put at the time of an online recruitment seminar they were having. It may be that they just asked Scholars to help create a presence on the web at that time.
I also got an interview invite! Does anyone know the acceptance rate?
Probably scam
From their website:
The SCS Noonan Scholars Program
The mission of SCS Noonan Scholars is to help high-achieving low-income underrepresented students get into and graduate from top colleges equipped to achieve their full career potential.
Why Volunteer with SCS Noonan Scholars
Of the 4.5 million low-income, first-generation students currently enrolled in college, only 11% will earn bachelor’s degree within 6 years. This low graduation rate reflects the myriad of complex academic, social, and cultural challenges these students experience being the first in their family to attend college.
To ensure that the journey to higher education does not end where it begins, SCS Noonan Scholars provides students with the support system and networks they often lack. Through college counseling, academic preparation, financial scholarships, mentorship, and internship and job assistance, 90% of our students earn a bachelor’s degree within 6 years.
We need you to keep the momentum going.
I will be interviewing for SCS Noonan this week. I’ll let you guys know how it goes! The program and what I can make of it reminds of LEDA. It’s really exciting!
It is suspicious, I don’t see people being accepted , rejected or talking about the program. Like the other summer programs.
broski I got an interview request also. I am having mine today at 6:00 pm(Central Standard Time) Good luck to you!!!
@collegekid1337 Did you apply to LEDA or have already done the program? I applied to LEDA and SCS Noonan but have only heard back from SCS.
I applied to LEDA this year. Based on last year’s dates, LEDA sends out emails for the second round around 2/25 so there’s no need to worry about that yet. Also, good luck with your interview and let us know how it goes! I’m so nervous for mine.
Some of the commenters here do seem suspicious, especially the New Members, but it doesn’t seem like a scam what with being free with a $500 stipend, so it doesn’t seem for-profit like many other programs.
2019 Application is closed anyway.