Based on UNDP Sustainable Development Goal 4, Quality Education and UNAI Principle 4, the U@Uni project aims to provide high schoolers with free of cost advice, assistance, and aid to attend a college that fits their interests, and give them a head start towards gaining relevant skills for future employment and social entrepreneurship. U@Uni will function as a website run by a team of dedicated college students and would consist of two main components: information and resources databases, and a network connecting high schoolers with college students who would act as their peer mentors and advisers. The app would serve the following purpose:

Stage 1 Advice:
Global Database of universities and colleges. Can be filtered according to the subject, location, ranking etc. Will help students access a broad range of colleges they can apply to. The database will also consist of colleges offering vocational and technical courses and/or distance learning.
Detailed video guides and online workshops on questions like: How to know what college courses/future professions match your interests, things to keep in mind while choosing colleges, how many colleges to apply to, how to mindfully plan applications and backups, various documents, academic and extracurricular requirements for applying to US, UK, India, Australia etc.
Database of peer-advisors (volunteering college students from across the globe). U@Uni will provide the opportunity for students to select a peer-advisor from the database (depending upon their query and area of interest) and book appointments (phone or video call slot) to ask them their specific questions.
As the project progresses, I plan to expand it to include individual sessions with professional pro-bono college counsellors.

Stage 2 Assist:
Database of free resources, preparation material, books, study tips for exams like SAT, IELTS, TOEFL, CU-CET (India). Database for accessing free bridge courses and English proficiency classes.
Detailed video guides and online workshops by peer-mentors (volunteering college students from across the globe) on how to use various application portals (Common App/UCAS/University of Delhi/Mumbai etc), tips for writing college essays, Statement of Purpose, presentation pointers for extracurricular activities and awards sections, guidance on how to get LORs and internship opportunities.

Database of peer-mentors. U@Uni will provide the opportunity for students to select a peer-mentor from the database and book appointments (phone or video call slot) to ask them their specific questions related to their application, and seek help filling/proofreading their applications.

Stage 3 Aid: U@Uni will assist in contacting college admissions officers and other facilities (Eg: Common App, UCAS application fee waiver requests) which would offer application fee waivers. We will also collect funds to sponsor application fees for students who cannot afford it. It will also set up a database of scholarships, both government and private, which eligible students can choose to apply for. U@Uni will help students correctly and timely fill out financial aid and merit scholarship forms.

Students can choose to take help in any one or all three stages, depending upon their need. The U@Uni App will be designed in a manner to cater to individualistic requirements. It will also have step by step introduction guides on how to use the app. If a student is unsure about the kind of guidance they’d require, they can contact the U@Uni team via online helpdesk chat. If need be, one peer mentor can be assigned to them for the entire duration of their application process.