“From the Hérault to the grandes écoles”, the association which campaigns for equal opportunities

Pupils in rural areas have less access to higher education than others: 71.1% when the national average is over 80%. A fracture that Clémence Quinonero decided to reduce. In master 1 at Sciences Po Paris, in 2018 she created the association “From Hérault to Grandes Ecoles”. The young woman, who grew up in a farming family, helps high school students in the department who are facing financial difficulties or who lack self-confidence to overcome obstacles and not to self-censor. “Often we do not believe ourselves capable, we say to ourselves that it is for the children of ministers, while the young people of Hérault have the same talents as those of the big cities.»Explains Clémence.

To help those who wish to join grandes écoles, it organizes awareness-raising actions in high schools. Graduate students come to share their experiences with final year students. A presentation that allows high school students to make the right choice. Some also see it a little more clearly, like Jeanne, a first year student at the Lycée de Lodève. ” Later I would like to work in the field of astronomy, so the fact that the association came that helped me a lot, I was really lost on the path to follow “

Sponsorships between students and high school students are also organized in order to coach them and help them find accommodation once they have completed their baccalaureate. Since the start of 2022, the association has also offered a scholarship for students facing financial difficulties and who wish to join a major school. The most motivated high school students can get 6,000 euros and tutoring to facilitate their integration by volunteer members of the association. This year four high school graduates will be able to benefit from it.