CDI is a nonprofit, community-based organization that works with low-income, first generation to college students to get them to and through college at a four-year US college/university. We offer a comprehensive free program (CDI Scholars Program) that includes SAT/ACT tutoring, workshops on a variety of topics (including time management, study skills, resume writing, financial literacy, and more), wellness support, assistance with the college application and financial aid processes, and continuous engagement and support throughout high school and college.

A first-generation college student is an individual whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree.

No. While we will help students to identify scholarships they can apply to, we do not offer scholarships, nor do we guarantee receipt of any scholarships.

Scholars entering our program make a commitment to participate in all CDI workshops/meetings and related activities. This includes weekly SAT/ACT tutoring on Tuesday afternoons during junior year of high school, paired with workshops, so you will be in our office in Bethesda from 4:30-6:30 on Tuesdays during 11th grade. It also includes workshops and college and financial aid application work during senior year as well as the summer prior to senior year. Days and times may vary. While in college you will check in with your assigned CDI counselor on a regular basis on the phone at times that work with your schedule.

CDI Scholars are expected to attend and fully participate in all designated CDI programming and to be fully invested in their academics and CDI work with the goal of attending and graduating from a four-year higher education institution.

Yes! We work with many student-athletes. We will work with your coaches to have you excused from practices on days that you have required programming at CDI.

Students who are in CDI may not participate in other college access programs. There are only so many spots in college access programs, and we want as many students as possible to benefit from them. It does not make sense to be in more than one and doing so would take up a space that could benefit another student.

No. The only entry point for CDI is at the end of a student’s sophomore year of high school.

Yes. Some periods of time are busier than others, but you meet with CDI throughout the entire year.

The goal of CDI is to help students apply and be admitted to four-year colleges and universities.

Anywhere within the United States! Our Scholars attend colleges and universities throughout the US. It is up to the Scholar and family where they decide to enroll. Our support is limited to U.S. college admissions; we are not able to assist with international applications.

A: Our office is in downtown Bethesda. For all the high schools we work with except Northwood and Walter Johnson, we will pick you up at school in our vans (when school is in session) to bring you to CDI. Walter Johnson and Northwood students can take the Metro bus down Old Georgetown Road and be at the office in less than 15 minutes. All CDI Scholars are responsible for getting themselves home.  We are located near bus routes and about a 10 minute walk from the Bethesda Metro Station (Red Line).

You can view the application at https://collegiatedirections.tfaforms.net/8.