When to Say Yes: How One Student Learned to Trust Her Instincts and Build Community Along the Way
Karen B. knows firsthand what it feels like to weigh family expectations, college opportunities, and personal instincts to figure out the next chapter of her life. Now a sophomore at St. Joseph’s University, she has returned to her alma mater, The Young Women’s Leadership School of Brooklyn (TYWLS Brooklyn), as a College Transition Coach (CTC). CTCs facilitate Student Leadership Network’s CollegeBridge program as near-peer mentors to support high school students navigating the college process.
Let’s dive into highlights of Karen’s journey so far and the words of wisdom she hopes to pass on to students facing a crossroads in their life plans!
An Education Rooted in Sisterhood and Community
Karen’s love for TYWLS Brooklyn runs deep. She was active as a leader in the school, volunteering as a student ambassador for TYWLS and Student Leadership Network events and signing up for as many activities and mentorship opportunities as possible. The public girls’+ school environment offered not only a top education, but also a community. “My closest friends are still the ones I made at TYWLS,” she shared. “We’ve met each other’s families at events and our parents know each other as well. Those close bonds help us view TYWLS as a second home.”
Karen participated in a college preparation summer program as a high school senior 
Karen and TYWLS Brooklyn Student Ambassadors with Principal Mitchell
She also developed lasting relationships with her teachers, and through one of them, she landed her first part-time job at a Montessori preschool. She still works there today as an Assistant Teacher while attending college full-time.
Reflecting on her senior year, like many students, Karen once believed that prestige was everything when it came to her next steps. “I used to think the brand name was the most important thing about college,” she admitted. With a strong academic foundation and an eagerness to pursue excellence, she needed to have many honest conversations with her teachers and director of college counseling (DCC), and a willingness to listen to herself, to realize that the right fit looked different from what she had imagined. Now she’s back at TYWLS to help guide the next class of seniors to define their own futures and realize their dreams.
Learning to Listen to Herself
Her older siblings had earned Associate’s Degrees, so Karen had some sense of what college looked like, but she credits her DCC for expanding her horizons. “Ms. G painted a bright picture of other possibilities for me,” shared Karen. Through individualized counseling, Shira Gelsey helped her explore bachelor’s degree programs.
When Karen earned a prestigious scholarship to a well-known out-of-state institution, it seemed like a dream come true on paper. But through many candid conversations with her DCC, she came to understand that going away for college wasn’t what she actually wanted. “I loved talking with Ms. G. She truly listened and helped me process my ideas and my family’s expectations,” Karen reflected. Her parents had always told her to “dream big, but be reasonable,” and Ms. Gelsey helped her see that those two things didn’t have to be in conflict.
That guidance led Karen to St. Joseph’s University in Brooklyn, where she earned an SJU Presidential Scholarship, a highly competitive scholarship awarded to students with exemplary grades and an academically challenging curriculum.
With a generous financial aid package and a campus that feels like another home away from home, Karen is majoring in Human Resources, a field that aligns with her passion for connecting people with opportunities that match their strengths.
A Peer Mentor Coaching the Next Generation
Today, Karen works alongside her former DCC as a College Transition Coach to assist high school seniors navigating college applications, enrollment procedures, and everything in between, from reviewing supplemental essays to setting up their class enrollments before their first day on campus.
The role has also helped her grow her professional skills in managing a caseload, providing constructive feedback, and navigating communication with students who may feel they have it all figured out.
Her advice to students is both grounded and freeing: have a general outline of where you want to go, but don’t feel pressured to map out every detail. “Knowing where your interests lie, and not just what your parents or siblings want for you, will help you know when to listen to your gut,” Karen said. “I encourage the students to take moments to stop and breathe.” She meets them where they are, with patience and the perspective of someone who has recently been in their shoes.
With admissions offers for the Class of 2026 beginning to come in, Karen is excited to support Ms. G and the seniors through the financial aid process and final college decisions. “There are dozens of steps to complete before someone actually steps onto their college campuses after they graduate high school. I’m glad to be there to support them for part of their journey and remind them to find time to enjoy their senior year!”
