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Educational Preparation Programs

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May 9, 2007 | 6:21 pm

You hear about "educational preparation programs" a lot, the UC application even asks you what "educational preparation programs" you have participated in ... so what are "educational preparation programs"? Well, according to the UC application:
These programs may help students prepare for college by providing information, counseling, tutoring and other service or offer academic enrichment, research opportunities or special study opportunities, such as study abroad.
Here's a list of programs that are UC sponsored that you should immediately look for at your school and get yourself into:
  • ATDP (Academic Talent Development Program) - thru Berkeley
  • Cal-SOAP - available throughout California
  • CAMP (California Alliance for Minority Participation in Science, Engineering and Mathematics) - mostly an undergraduate support program, but offers K-12 science and math teacher opportunities and California community college transfer support; available from several UC campuses
  • CBOP (Career Based Outreach Program) - thru UCLA
  • COSMOS (The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science) - available from several UC campuses
  • EAOP (Early Academic Outreach Program) - thru all UC campuses
  • EGC (Educational Guidance Center) - thru Berkeley
  • Educational Talent Search - available at most UC and CSU campuses, search for "trio talent search" or "educational talent search" at a UC/CSU campus near you
  • HSEP (UCSF Health Science Enrichment Program) - thru UCSF
  • GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) - available throughout California
  • MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement), including MESA Schools Programs, SUCCESS Through Collaboration and California Community College Program - available throughout California
  • PDP (Professional Development Program) - thru Berkeley
  • Puente Program - available at 56 community colleges and 36 high schools throughout California
  • UCCP (UC College Prep Initiative) - check with your high school
  • UCSC SAGE (Students Acquiring "A-G" Expectations) - check with your high school
  • Upward Bound - available from all UC campuses; check with your high school
  • Young Entrepreneurs at Haas - thru Berkeley
Other programs you may hear about (and should get into):
  • AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) - check with your high school
  • College Bound - check with your high school
  • UC Berkeley Incentive Awards Program (IAP) and Pre-Collegiate Academy (PCA) - limited to students nominated by participating Los Angeles Unified School District high schools; see list of participating IAP high schools here and list of participating PCA high schools here
  • Summer Search is a national leadership development program that helps low-income young people graduate high school, go to college, gain successful careers, and give back to society

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Comments {52}

Question

from: Anonymous
date: June 22, 2007 8:23 am (UTC)
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Would this: http://gssgcleadership.org/mindsfordesign/ be considered a UC-sponsored Educational Preparation Program? I'm not sure whether it is more of a girl scouts thing or a UC Riverside thing.

Thank you for your assistance.

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Ms. Sun

Re: Question

from: [info]askmssun
date: June 25, 2007 8:11 am (UTC)
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It may not be designated as UC-sponsored on the UC application, but it certainly looks like an educational preparation program. It's more important to just be in educational preparation programs, whether the programs are UC-sponsored is not quite as important.

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(no subject)

from: Anonymous
date: June 29, 2007 4:38 am (UTC)
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Would a summer internship at a political office or something like this: http://liver.stanford.edu/YLC/index.php qualify as an Educational Preparation Program?

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(no subject)

from: Anonymous
date: June 29, 2007 4:55 am (UTC)
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I am also currently participating in this summer health research program at my high school. Does this qualify as a Educational Preparation Program? Would it have less prestige and be looked down upon because it's my high school's summer program (you have to apply and go through an interview process)?

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Ms. Sun

(no subject)

from: [info]askmssun
date: June 29, 2007 5:21 pm (UTC)
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Internships and leadership conferences are considered extracurricular activities. Educational preparation programs "offer academic enrichment in one or more specific subject areas such as mathematics or science, research opportunities or special study opportunities, such as study abroad."

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UCLA Summer Mock Trial

from: Anonymous
date: November 13, 2007 2:37 am (UTC)
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I took the UCLA summer program of Mock Trial. Would this be qualified as an educational prepartion program? If so, it's possible to just fill in one of the slots with it?

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Ms. Sun

Re: UCLA Summer Mock Trial

from: [info]askmssun
date: November 14, 2007 4:52 am (UTC)
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I would categorize the Mock Trial program as extracurricular activity.

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(no subject)

from: Anonymous
date: November 24, 2007 9:27 am (UTC)
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does SAT prep and math tutoring count?

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Ms. Sun

(no subject)

from: [info]askmssun
date: November 25, 2007 7:39 pm (UTC)
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No.

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nyucknyuck

(no subject)

from: [info]nyucknyuck
date: November 25, 2007 4:11 am (UTC)
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I received the College Prep Scholarship, a program run by QuestBridge (http://questbridge.org/cps/info.php); I was invited to (and attended) a conference on college admissions at Stanford and was granted for free a college counselor. Do you think this constitutes an educational preparation program?

Thanks for your help. =)

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nyucknyuck

(no subject)

from: [info]nyucknyuck
date: November 25, 2007 4:28 am (UTC)
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Also, do you think Boys' State could be considered an "educational preparation program"? Boys from all over California are chosen based on academics/leadership/etc. and they go to CSU Sacramento for a week to learn about (and run) government. I'm not sure whether this can be considered a preparation program, though.

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7th Grade PACE Program

from: Anonymous
date: February 18, 2008 2:40 pm (UTC)
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In the summer of my seventh grade, I took a college course at Cal State LA because of this program at my junior high called PACE, where they taught me and other students "advanced" mathematics and vocabulary words, prior to taking a test that's akin to a toned down SAT exam. Would my inclusion in this program count as educational preparation? I passed it, by the way, and took philosophy/critical thinking at Cal State LA, and was probably the highest grade in the class filled with young adults, and old adults alike.

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Re: 7th Grade PACE Program

from: Anonymous
date: February 18, 2008 2:43 pm (UTC)
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http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/admiss/
This is the website that kind of describes it.

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UCLA Summit on Medicine

from: Anonymous
date: March 26, 2008 7:18 am (UTC)
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Hello, I'm a sophomore in high school and I'm interested in studying medicine at UCLA. I have applied for the 'UCLA Summit on Medicine' with People to People Student Leader Programs. (http://www.flsleaders.org/fls-student-conferences-program-overview.asp) Would this be considered an Educational Preparation Program?

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Ms. Sun

Re: UCLA Summit on Medicine

from: [info]askmssun
date: April 3, 2008 5:48 am (UTC)
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It's most likely to be considered as an extracurricular activity. Educational Preparation Programs tend to be academically oriented and the program you referred to is about developing leadership skills and exploring career opportunities.

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mar_superstar

(no subject)

from: [info]mar_superstar
date: April 25, 2008 9:37 am (UTC)
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i'm a junior at Cleveland Humanities Magnet in Reseda, and my counselor has never discussed Educational Preparation Programs with me at all (not once, never ever!). i wanted to know if it will look bad if i have not taken any, and i only discovered your livejournal two days ago, so it's a bit late to start signing up for EP programs right?
thanks in advance

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Ms. Sun

(no subject)

from: [info]askmssun
date: May 6, 2008 5:19 am (UTC)
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It's not uncommon for students to not have participated in EPPs. Don't worry too much about that, as long as you have good extracurricular activities/community services you will be fine.

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Hi.

from: Anonymous
date: May 28, 2008 6:25 am (UTC)
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What if I am a college student who wants tranfer UC school?
Are these programs are nesessary?
can I participate after graduating from high school?
What programs are best offered for college students?

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Ms. Sun

Re: Hi.

from: [info]askmssun
date: June 3, 2008 7:14 am (UTC)
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If you are in community college there are various transfer programs you can participate: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/transfer/tr_info_ccc/tr_adm_prgms.html.

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csf

from: Anonymous
date: September 8, 2008 2:43 am (UTC)
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Is California Scholarship Federation an Educational Preparation Program? It is a club at my school and the only thing that sounds like one.

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Ms. Sun

Re: csf

from: [info]askmssun
date: September 10, 2008 12:32 am (UTC)
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Depends on what CSF does at your HS. If it only requires students to meet once a year to hand out pin/certificate for good grades, then it's considered honors and awards. If it acts like a club with activities and fundraisers, then it's considered an extracurricular activity. If it takes students to visit college campuses and hosts application/test workshops, then it's considered an EPP.

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youth symphony

from: Anonymous
date: October 27, 2008 2:56 am (UTC)
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Is youth symphony considered as extracurricular activitiy?

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Ms. Sun

Re: youth symphony

from: [info]askmssun
date: October 27, 2008 5:38 pm (UTC)
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Yes.

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(no subject)

from: Anonymous
date: October 28, 2008 4:05 am (UTC)
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Hello, I would like to ask if HOBY (Hugh O' Brian Youth Leadership Conference) is an Educational Preparation Program or rather an Extracurricular Activity. Thank you.

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Ms. Sun

(no subject)

from: [info]askmssun
date: October 29, 2008 6:09 am (UTC)
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Unless it is specifically designed to encourage you to attain higher education (college), it is not an EPP.

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primatey

(no subject)

from: [info]primatey
date: November 14, 2008 12:09 am (UTC)
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I am transferring to UCB, hopefully, as a Junior and have no ties with any of these programs. Are there any programs to your knowledge aimed at Junior transfers? At lot of these programs seem to be for high school students.

Also, if I do not become affiliated with any of these programs, in your opinion, how will that affect the quality of my application?

Thank you in advance for your time Ms Sun.

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Ms. Sun

(no subject)

from: [info]askmssun
date: November 15, 2008 10:00 am (UTC)
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You should look into joining the Berkeley Transfer Alliance Project.

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(no subject)

from: Anonymous
date: April 10, 2009 3:41 pm (UTC)
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HI ms. sun i have a question regarding about my decision of undergrad school. i heard UCSB have pharmacology and will it be an advantage for me to major in that for grad. degree in a pharm school in CA? because i know the acceptance rate for pharm school is very low, so does it matter whether you go to a good undergrad university or not? i also plan to attend UCSC for biochemistry. Thank you for your help

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Ms. Sun

(no subject)

from: [info]askmssun
date: April 14, 2009 10:06 pm (UTC)
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Much like other health science programs, pharmacy schools only require applicants to have completed a set of required courses. Therefore, getting a degree in pharmacology at UCSB will not necessarily prepare you better.

Despite your best intention to follow thru with your career goal, you are likely to change your major a few times before you graduate. I would recommend you consider two factors when choosing the college you attend: 1) the reputation of the school, since graduate programs tend to give higher regards to more reputable schools; 2) whether you enjoy the environment of the college (visit), since you will likely to perform better if you like your surroundings.

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FBLA

from: Anonymous
date: April 10, 2009 10:23 pm (UTC)
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Hi askmssun,

I'm still in high school and I was wondering if the Future Business Leaders of America club at my school would be considered an educational preparation program?

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Ms. Sun

Re: FBLA

from: [info]askmssun
date: April 14, 2009 10:29 pm (UTC)
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Nope, extracurriculars. I encourage you to get involved with bringing your chapter to the regional/state/national conferences if you don't already attend; they are great learning experiences. Sign up to compete at the events and you can put whatever you win in the Awards & Honors section of the UC application.

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Test Prep course - (Anonymous) Expand

UCLA Program vs. UC Berkeley

from: Anonymous
date: April 23, 2009 1:55 am (UTC)
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Hey Ms. Sun, currently I'm deciding between the UCLA Sci | Art NanoLab and the Berkeley Pre Collegiate Program. Which do you think I should take that would look better on my admissions application? (I'm sure I will get an A in the classes) Thanks!

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Ms. Sun

Re: UCLA Program vs. UC Berkeley

from: [info]askmssun
date: April 24, 2009 4:44 pm (UTC)
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Both are excellent learning experiences. But they will only look as good as how your experience in the program transforms you. So decide which one you will enjoy/learn more and choose that.

Edited at 2009-04-24 04:46 pm (UTC)

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Space Camp

from: Anonymous
date: May 29, 2009 3:20 am (UTC)
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Hi Ms. Sun,

There's a space day camp this summer in my area and I was wondering if it would be an EPP?

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Ms. Sun

Re: Space Camp

from: [info]askmssun
date: May 29, 2009 5:30 am (UTC)
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Unlikely. EPP should offer academic enrichment that is intended to help prepare you for further studies (college).

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Re: Space Camp - (Anonymous) Expand
Re: Space Camp - (Anonymous) Expand

Educational Preparation Programs

from: Anonymous
date: June 2, 2009 10:46 am (UTC)
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Why do they care if we've partaken in any of those programs?

Is it in our best advantage to join as many of these programs as possible?

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Ms. Sun

Re: Educational Preparation Programs

from: [info]askmssun
date: June 3, 2009 2:50 am (UTC)
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These programs focus on helping students prepare for college or providing academic enrichment. Your participation shows that you are motivated to take that extra step to achieve academically and prepare for college.

You should participate in whatever program you find engaging.

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(no subject)

from: Anonymous
date: June 30, 2009 2:38 pm (UTC)
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I am part of NASA's Online Learning Community. The program is selective, and chosen students are allowed to interact with real NASA experts online and participate in various activities, all in an effort to solidify students' prospective goals in a math or science degree/career. Thus, while it does not explicitly state that it is for "college preparation", a number of the components of the program funtion as such anyway. Do you think I could put it as EPP?

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Ms. Sun

(no subject)

from: [info]askmssun
date: July 1, 2009 7:49 am (UTC)
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Absolutely!

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Honors Program

from: Anonymous
date: November 26, 2009 11:56 pm (UTC)
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I am part of the Honors Program at my CC. What are the hours I should report for being involved in the program. I am confused in whether I should include honors course in the hours involved or if I should just leave it to counseling appt, emails, etc.

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Ms. Sun

Re: Honors Program

from: [info]askmssun
date: November 27, 2009 10:04 am (UTC)
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The Honors Program should be part of your Academic History.

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UCCP

from: Anonymous
date: November 27, 2009 1:20 am (UTC)
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Does it qualify as a program if I studied the UCCP AP Calculus material by myself over the summer?

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Ms. Sun

Re: UCCP

from: [info]askmssun
date: November 27, 2009 10:06 am (UTC)
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No, since it was self study and not a program. You can put that in Additional Comments.

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