College Access Plan (CAP) (www.collegeaccessplan.org), a Pasadena nonprofit organization, and PHS LEARNS have teamed up with a The Regional Admission Counselors of California (RACC), a coalition of admission professionals who represent colleges and universities outside the state of California, to provide Pasadena High School students and parents a “flash” college fair that will run from 3:15-4:30 PM on Wednesday, February 27th in the Girls’ Gym at PHS. Students will have the opportunity to talk to representatives from a diverse range of public and private colleges, including The University of Arizona, Marist College, the Oregon State University, Lafayette College, Miami University, and many more.
Gary Bednorz, a representative from the University of New Mexico and a member RACC, helped to coordinate this event ands says, “With more than 3,000 colleges and universities outside of California, going to college out-of-state is a viable option for many California students. Out-of-state schools offer a variety of scholarships and financial assistance. Independent (formerly called Private) Colleges do not charge out-of-state tuition, and some out-of-state schools freeze the tuition for four years. It is possible for a student with a 3.0 GPA to pay in-state tuition at some out-of-state universities.” Bednorz also addresses a stark reality of attending college in California: “The California student population continues to increase. That fact coupled with the entire world wanting to come to California equates to demand for higher education far outpacing the supply here.” Mo Hyman, Executive Director of College Access Plan adds, “It’s a priority of ours to introduce students to a wide variety of college choices and to make sure they have viable post-secondary options. While most of us love California, there is literally an entire world to explore beyond our golden borders.”
CAP and LEARNS began partnering this fall to provide drop-in services to any student at PHS who desires to explore his or her four-year or two-year college options, complete applications, write college entrance essays, seek financial aid, and explore any other college readiness related activity. In only a few short months, CAP has worked with over 90 Bulldogs, mostly seniors who completed applications to four-year universities this fall. In April, CAP and LEARNS will also provide an eight-week SAT prep course for 40 eleventh graders.
About College Access Plan
College Access Plan is a Pasadena-based 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that prepares underserved students to succeed in college. CAP provides drop-in college advisement and topic-specific workshops at Pasadena, Blair Magnet, and John Muir high schools, and supported over 200 seniors this fall as they completed applications to four-year colleges and universities. CAP’s programs serve all students who aspire to Dream Bigger about their futures. To learn more, please visit www.collegeaccessplan.org or follow CAP on Facebook (www.facebook.com/collegeaccessplan) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/iheartcollege).
