Kūlia College Pathways
Free 1:1 College Admissions Mentorship for Hawaiʻi Students, by Hawaiʻi Students
Empowering Hawai’i students to unlock their higher education potential.
**ON HIATUS AS OF JULY 2026. PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER FOR UPDATES.**
WE ARE CURRENTLY RE-ORGANIZING TO BETTER SERVE YOU. PLEASE DIRECT ANY QUESTIONS TO:
SHWE@ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU
KULIACOLLEGEPATHWAYS@GMAIL.COM
Change begins with education. Kūlia College Pathways helps Hawaiʻi public school students navigate the college applications process through personalized peer mentorship, ensuring that no college is out of reach.
A glimpse into our free resources:
Essay Review
Learn how to make the best case for yourself and your aspirations to admissions officers. We’ll support you every step of the way, from brainstorming ideas to final edits.
SAT/ACT Prep
Tackle standardized tests with confidence. Attend workshops and gain access to free test prep resources from professional SAT tutors and mentors who have aced their college standardized tests.
Financial Aid Guidance
Apply for FAFSA, scholarship, and grant funding opportunities with guidance from peers who have successfully applied.
The Challenge
There is a notable lack of college application guidance at Hawai‘i public schools. Not to mention the gap in resources, know-how, and environment between the state’s private and public schools. We’re also tired of college counseling services (e.g., those promising to get students into Ivies) that charge exorbitant fees and promote elitist pedagogies. Our goal is to encourage local students to aim high without letting college costs be a barrier to their future aspirations.
Our Solution
FREE 1:1 peer mentorship with college students and recent graduates who have successfully navigated the college admissions process. Our mentors are matched with high school juniors or seniors to help with essay writing, application feedback, and just to be an overall source of support.
We are an entirely student-run nonprofit, powered by volunteers representing universities across the nation–including Harvard, MIT, UCLA, USC, Brown, and Georgetown. Our roots extend from Hawai’i public and private high schools like Hilo High, ʻIolani, Kamehameha, Kauaʻi High, Leilehua, McKinley, Punahou, and Waipahu.
Our Mission
“
To empower Hawaiʻi public high schools students by guiding them through the complexities of college applications. We offer comprehensive support and resources to expand access to top higher education opportunities. By equipping students with essential knowledge and assistance, we aim to demystify the college admissions process & foster informed decisions that align with their aspirations.
Kūlia College Pathways 