New Company Announces "Buy 1. Give 1." Program Aimed at Helping At-risk Teens Get Into College

University Drive's how-to DVD, "College Admission. Simplified.", walks teens and parents through the process. For each DVD bought, company to give one away to students in need.

When we started University Drive, we truly wanted to help as many families as possible But we know that times are tough and the simple truth is that too many families either can't afford help or don't know where to look for it. So we came up with the 'Buy 1. Give 1.' idea as a way to put our video in the hands of those kids who really deserve a college education but just need a little help. We've been blown away Schools and guidance counselors tell us they're eager for resources like ours that engage their students. But because of limited funds, their hands are often tied. We set out to create a socially responsible business and hope this model takes advantage of an opportunity to meet a need and fulfill our passion of making college a reality for every student. With 'The Scholar', we saw these students have their lives dramatically changed Too often, students don't know what they're capable of achieving unless someone demonstrates what is possible. It just takes the right guidance and support. We hope our 'Buy 1. Give 1.' program will do the same for at-risk teens across the country. Hopefully they'll learn that applying to college isn't impossible if you have the right information and help. I have no question that most of us end up where we are because someone took the time to set an example and help us set goals I truly hope we're able to fill the gap for those teens that haven't had those positive role models. Maybe they'll see our video, realize it's not impossible to go to college, and after that - the sky's the limit.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) May 20, 2009 -- For years, the college admission process has gotten more complicated, more confusing and more expensive. Recent statistics show a record number of students applying for college and paying an increasingly higher rate for tuition compared to inflation. And the recession has hit colleges hard. Many have admitted to altering their acceptance policies to better account for students able to pay full tuition as opposed to those students demonstrating financial need.

University Drive's "Buy 1. Give 1." program helps at-risk teens apply to college.

One company working to reverse this trend is University Drive Productions, LLC. Through a new program titled "Buy 1. Give 1.", the company is giving away a copy of its how-to guide, "College Admission. Simplified.", for every DVD copy sold.

"When we started University Drive, we truly wanted to help as many families as possible," says University Drive co-founder Marc Istook. "But we know that times are tough and the simple truth is that too many families either can't afford help or don't know where to look for it. So we came up with the 'Buy 1. Give 1.' idea as a way to put our video in the hands of those kids who really deserve a college education but just need a little help."

Istook is a TV host by trade, with credits on the TV Guide Network, the Food Network and DirecTV. He started University Drive in 2006 with college admission consultant Shannon Meairs. The two wanted to use 21st century technology to educate families on the admission process. They created a two-hour, step-by-step video, "College Admission. Simplified." Available both on DVD and as streaming online video on UniversityDrive.com, their six-episode series covers topics ranging from choosing a college to mastering standardized tests to finding success once college begins.

Meairs and Istook say they want the "Buy 1. Give 1." program to help as many teens as possible. To accomplish that goal, they've begun seeking partnerships with the non-profit organizations, educational foundations and high schools with direct access to those students.

The response was instant.

"We've been blown away," says Meairs. "Schools and guidance counselors tell us they're eager for resources like ours that engage their students. But because of limited funds, their hands are often tied. We set out to create a socially responsible business and hope this model takes advantage of an opportunity to meet a need and fulfill our passion of making college a reality for every student."

It's a concept Meairs is familiar with. In 2005, she co-created a college-themed reality TV show for ABC. "The Scholar" pitted 10 high school students against one another, all competing for a full college scholarship. One of the show's contestants attends Harvard University, a school he wouldn't have applied to had a high school counselor not recommended it.

"With 'The Scholar', we saw these students have their lives dramatically changed," says Meairs. "Too often, students don't know what they're capable of achieving unless someone demonstrates what is possible. It just takes the right guidance and support. We hope our 'Buy 1. Give 1.' program will do the same for at-risk teens across the country. Hopefully they'll learn that applying to college isn't impossible if you have the right information and help."

Istook agrees.

"I have no question that most of us end up where we are because someone took the time to set an example and help us set goals," he says. "I truly hope we're able to fill the gap for those teens that haven't had those positive role models. Maybe they'll see our video, realize it's not impossible to go to college, and after that - the sky's the limit."

"College Admission. Simplifed." is a copyright of University Drive Productions, LLC.

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