Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs | FAQs for Current Students
What does Upward Bound do?
The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their pre-college performance and, ultimately, in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves: high school students from low-income families; and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree.
What are the benefits of Upward Bound?
The Upward Bound program helps to generate skills and motivation necessary for success in education beyond high school among low-income and potential first-generation college students.
What type of involvement is required to be in Upward Bound?
All Upward Bound participants are expected to participate in Upward Bound activities. UB activities and expectations may include the following:
- Saturday Session(s) participation (nine Saturdays during the academic year)
- Summer Session(s) participation (six weeks each summer)
- Advisement meetings with UB Staff
- Senior-related Assignment Deadlines Met (during the summer and academic year), including, but not limited to, applying to at least one college and/or university, applying to at least one scholarship, and completing FAFSA
- Grades – maintaining, retaking, or improving grades to maintain a C or better
- Tutoring as assigned
- College Preparatory Writing Assignments (CPWAs) as assigned
- Math Assignments as assigned
- Uphold Honesty and Academic Integrity
*as assigned activities may vary from semester to semester depending on instructor or UBly’s need
Why was Upward Bound created?
Upward Bound emerged as one of a cluster of programs by the Johnson Administration and the “War on Poverty”. The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was the first major policy proposal from the Johnson Administration but it included several elements that had been considered previously by Congress.
Why should I apply to Upward Bound?
Upward Bound is a program for high school students who may need assistance to do well in high school and get into college. It is part of “TRiO,” a group of student-outreach programs funded by the federal government. You have the potential to go to college — Upward Bound can give you the resources to get on your way!
What is the difference between Upward Bound (UB) and Educational Talent Search (ETS)?
The primary difference between UB and ETS is the individual services.
UCI Upward Bound has a cohort of 65 students across three high schools. We provide one-on-one advising “as needed” throughout the academic year to all 65 students. While a freshman or sophomore may meet with UB staff once a month, during their junior and senior year of high school, a student may meet with UB staff as often as once a week in preparation for SAT/ACT testing, AP testing, college applications, scholarship applications, and university essay questions and interviews. In addition, during the summer, students receive “college-prep” instruction in four academic areas (math, lab science, composition/writing, and Spanish). The goal is to support and prepare students to go to college by ensuring they are prepared for the upcoming academic year in high school. Cohort students in Upward Bound are required to participate in all programming including, but not limited to: tutoring, advising, mentoring, college writing preparation, learning about college systems and their resources, the college application process, and the college financial aid process.
Similarly, Educational Talent Search’s goal is to reduce the high school dropout rates while simultaneously increasing college enrollment rates of those wanting to get into college. They, too, provide students with academic, career, financial counseling, and assist on a number of other aspects of college planning/college prep: preparation for college entrance exams, mentoring, obtaining financial aid, visiting college campuses, and applying to college. However, due to the volume of students in their cohort, their students are only obligated to participate in programming of their choice. If you have specific questions about ETS, please visit their website here (link: https://www.fullerton.edu/talentsearch/)
Can I be in UB and ETS at the same time?
Unfortunately, not at this time. Although UB and ETS are sister programs, due to similar events, projects and activities, we cannot share participants. The best thing to do is review each program’s services and choose which program is best for your needs.
What is an Excused Absence?
Excused absences from Saturday Session or Summer Session are as follows: participating in school-related events (i.e., sport participation, ASB event, robotics competition or key club); college-related events (i.e., AVID or EAOP field trip, visiting college campus, internship training, or college interview); student illness/family illness or religious-related activities would be considered as excused absences. All UBlies are expected to complete the Request to Be Excused Form in order to have an absence be excused. Of course, these reasons should not be exploited as UB Staff will check in on activities. In addition, although UB staff encourages UBly participation with other affiliations, UBlies are expected to give UB equal time.
What is an Unexcused Absence?
Unexcused absences from Saturday Session or Summer Session include the following (but are not limited to): family vacation or extended vacation, quinceañera practice, anniversary celebration, birthday celebration, reoccurring absences for other affiliations, missed bus, slept-in, “forgot”, work conflict, or those who did not complete the Request to be Excused Form.
How do I earn my Senior Sash?
Senior sashes are earned by UCI Upward Bound Participants and awarded by UCI Upward Bound Staff. They are directly reflective of an UBly’s participation in all Upward Bound activities throughout their time with UCI Upward Bound. (See top of page regarding UB involvement/activities.)
UB Staff review all forms of participation before awarding or not awarding a Senior his or her sash. As discussed at the start of each year, UBlies get out of Upward Bound whatever they put into it. If absences are minimal and participation maximized, most likely an UBly will receive his or her Senior Sash. If, however, an UBly seldom participates in UB activities, most likely that UBly will not receive his or her Senior Sash. (See above regarding UB involvement and excused vs. unexcused absences.)
UB Staff reviews each senior’s overall participation in February of their senior year. Orders for Senior Sashes are placed by the first week of March in order to have them made, delivered, and handed-out during UCI Upward Bound’s Annual Banquet. Each year, the exact number of sashes are ordered for those seniors who earn one. Extras are never ordered as the number of seniors receiving a sash fluctuates each year.
Finally, honesty and academic integrity are two pillars in every university’s code of ethics. UCI is no different. Should UB staff learn of an UBly’s dishonesty whether it is why s/he did not attend advisement, Saturday Session, or Summer Session activities, or falsified one’s CPWA, math or senior-related college work, that UBly will forfeit his/her senior sash award and may be dismissed from the UCI Upward Bound program.
