Meet Cory Steinle, founder and current president of F.O.R.M Consulting (Future Opportunities Reached by Consulting). Cory reflects on his past college application experiences in order to help and inspire less fortunate high school students apply to college. With the help of F.O.R.M. Consulting, high school students are given personal advice, access to sample college essays, and recommendations from a group of 27 student consultants.
Why do you think F.O.R.M. consulting is important and meaningful on campus?
I think it’s important for current college students to demonstrate the value of their college education. Our generation is almost “blessed” in the sense that college is becoming the norm; but this only depends on how privileged you are. The reality is, as a college education becomes the norm, it further disadvantages those students who come from low-income, first generation, and underrepresented minority backgrounds. As a first-generation scholar, I see the value, merit, and perspectives that these students bring to our campus, and think that it is important that more students from these backgrounds make it to college.
How did you decide to take on your role and start this organization?
I had the idea to start a collegiate peer mentoring organization in high school. During September of my freshman year, my best friend and I started building the infrastructure for the organization. It was incredible – over six months, we had recruited 9 members to our executive board, twenty general consultants, and had become a registered PSU organization.
How does your time spent with F.O.R.M. Consulting give you the opportunity to use your gifts and passions?
I love the college admissions process. Throughout high school, I spent hundreds of hours preparing to go to college and get scholarships. By the time I had finished applying, I had over $300,000 in school-specific scholarships. This club gives me the opportunity to help students reach this same success – and more importantly, help them find ways to finance their education. The work is incredibly fulfilling, and I can’t wait to get started.
Why do you think this specific organization makes a difference in the world?
Social science tells us that students are a reflection of their environment. Society is beginning to recognize this truth; if we put give these students the resources that they need to succeed, they will! I think our organization is trying to do that; give these students the guidance, support, and technical resources to be successful in their college search. Attending a top school or graduating college without a significant burden of debt could be a HUGE factor in helping students succeed later in life.
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