Alumni Profile - Dana Mondesire, DDC 2010
Dana Mondesire
Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics, 2006- 2010
Columbia College, B.A. in Psychology, 2010-2014
“DDC can change someone’s life and their entire perspective on life.”
Dana grew up in the Bronx. She learned about Double Discovery Center from high school classmates who also attended the program and she enrolled during her junior year.
College application assistance, SAT prep, and interacting with Columbia College students are the things that stood out to Dana during her time at DDC. It was also those experiences that inspired her to apply to Columbia College.
During her SAT prep course, she learned the significance of the exam and the key component it plays college admission. “I knew the test part of the admission process, but learned the significance of the exam for college while at DDC,” she says.
DDC also provided one-on-one counseling and assisted Dana with developing her college list. “The college counselors at my high school were really busy and just did not have time for that one-to-one interaction,” she recalls. She said that having that service was extremely helpful.
Dana also credited DDC for showing her all the “little things” that make the difference during the application process. “Sitting down [and getting assistance] with the financial aid application, filling out the CSS [College Scholarship Service] profile, the senior checklist [and deadlines] on what you need to do really helped,” she adds.
Her DDC experience also showed her that she had the same potential as high school students from wealthier backgrounds. “DDC helped me to understand that I can have [the same access and opportunities],” says the 2010 alum.
“DDC can change someone’s life and their entire perspective on life. This is a big reason why DDC is so beneficial,” she adds.
Inspired by the positive interaction with Columbia undergraduates, who were tutors and role models, Dana applied to Columbia College. During her time as an undergraduate, Dana volunteered at DDC. “I realized that seeing [and interacting] with a Columbia College student can be inspiring,” she says. Dana worked as a college mentor assisting DDC students with their college applications and personal statements. She also worked as a residential teaching assistant during the summer program.
During DDC’s annual College Discovery Day in the spring of 2014, where students attend academic classes with Columbia College, Barnard College, or Engineering School undergraduates, Dana spoke as a panelist. She discussed studying abroad and encouraged DDC participants to include overseas study as part of their college curriculum. “It is the chance to break with what is familiar [and discover new opportunities],” she says.
Today, Dana is a coordinator at the Center for Career Education at Columbia College.
Story by Lisa Herndon
Photo: Courtesy of Dana Mondesire