High school junior Yamilet Rodriguez dreams of studying biomedical research, particularly histology, the microscopic structure of tissues. Her classmate at Carver High School of Engineering and Science, Kylee Bush, is interested in chemical engineering, the process of using chemicals to make things, from diapers to medicines. Her dream school is MIT — or maybe Penn.

But first, Rodriguez and Bush have to get into college. And that means learning to navigate the complicated world of higher education, college applications, financial aid and all the other pieces involved in going to university. Both young women, along with many of their fellow students at Carver, will be among the first generation in their families to attend college, so they’re less likely to have the kind of help many stud

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