America's College Town: Attollo Scholars Take On Boston
Exposure changes what a student believes is possible. A scholar who has never set foot on a campus outside their hometown, never walked through a city they didn't grow up in, carries a smaller sense of what's available to them. It's not a lack of ambition. It's a lack of reference points. Attollo's college tours exist to build those reference points: put students in front of schools they might not have considered, in a city many of them have never seen, and let them build their college list from firsthand experience instead of a brochure. This summer, that meant 18 scholars trading Lancaster for four days in Boston.
Day 1: UMass Amherst and a First Night in the City
The trip began before sunrise, on the road to UMass Amherst, where scholars spent the late morning touring campus before lunch.
By afternoon, the group had reached Boston, checking into their hotel with just enough time for a swim before dinner.
Day 2: MIT, Tufts, and a Splash in the Charles
Tuesday started with a tour of MIT's Cambridge campus, home to some of the most recognized engineering and research programs in the country. Lunch and a tour followed at Tufts University in Medford.
Duck Tour
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Duck Tour ✦
The afternoon turned into a different kind of tour. Scholars boarded a Duck Tour, riding through Boston's streets in a WWII-style amphibious vehicle before rolling straight into the Charles River for a view of the city from the water.
Day 3: EMERSON AND Converse
Wednesday morning brought a tour of Emerson College, known for its programs in communications, media, and the performing arts.
Converse
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Converse ✦
In the afternoon, the group visited the Converse store at Lovejoy Wharf, placed at the base of their world headquarters. A brand born just outside Boston more than a century ago and now headquartered right on the city's waterfront. Scholars got to see the waterfront building where the brand runs its global operations, before heading into the Converse retail store next door to shop the flagship location's exclusive customization options.
Professional Development Dinner
That evening, scholars suited up for the trip's Professional Development Dinner hosted by a local property management company, connecting with professionals across industries over dinner in the city.
Day 4: Boston College and an Adventure Before the Ride Home
Thursday morning closed out the school visits with a tour of Boston College, the trip's fifth and final campus.
Before the long drive home, scholars traded campus tours for ziplines and ropes courses at an Adventure Park, a last burst of fun before four days of college visits turned into hours on the road.
The trip wrapped four days that took 18 scholars through five campuses, a splash through the Charles River, and a firsthand look at a career path many of them had never considered.
See even more photos from our tours on our Instagram!
About Attollo:
Attollo is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth through education. By providing mentorship, academic enrichment, and college preparation support, Attollo aims to level the playing field and equip students with the tools they need to succeed in college and beyond. Since its inception, Attollo has helped thousands of students realize their potential and achieve their academic goals.
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