The EDGE | Volume 13, Issue 2 | 2023

NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! www.cfep.uci.edu/in-the-news/ Volume 13

THIS ISSUE

Diving Into College Preparation

Issue 2

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Turn to the back cover to find out how to win a FREE $50 Amazon gift card!

2023

3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Why You Should Choose the UC Community College as a Viable Option to Get to the UC

Getting Accepted is Just the Beginning Understanding Your Financial Aid Award and Covering the Cost Spring 2023 Senior Timeline Living and Learning at College: How to Adjust to the College Lifestyle

For My Family Student Spotlight Jonathan Caceres

What's Next For Juniors?

WELCOME

IN THIS ISSUE:

Dear Student, Welcome to the spring edition of THE EDGE Magazine! Spring is my favorite

time of year as everything around us starts to change and grow. We designed this issue to help you through the transitions you are likely facing right now in your life as a student.

As a junior, you are preparing for the college application season and your final year of high school. For seniors, the application process was step one and now it’s time to weigh your options and select the college or university that is the right one for you. Next, you will be preparing for your transition to life as a college student. Remember, there is no “best” college or university, only the best fit for you. This issue will help you explore the different routes you can take on your higher education journey.

Don’t forget that any path can take you where you want to go. Although I work at one of the top ranked universities in the world today and received my Bachelors, Masters and PhD from a UC, I began my journey at the community college. You don’t have to have it all figured out right now, just take it one step at a time and we are here to help. This new post-application issue is designed to help you make the best decision for your educational future and ensure that you are able to thrive and succeed once you get there. Read on and we look forward to seeing you on campus!

Sincerely,

Rising Junior Timeline

Top 5 Ways: Preparing for College

Leaders of Today

2

SPRING 2023

Stephanie Reyes-Tuccio, Ph.D. Assistant Vice Chancellor of Educational Partnerships, University of California, Irvine

WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THE UC

by Kimberly Macias, M.S, Senior Admissions Counselor, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, UC Irvine

Congratulations on submitting your applications! You did

the work, applied, and will be soon receiving your admissions decisions.

If you are considering the University of California (UC) system as your institution of choice, there are many factors to consider. The UC system has an abundance of opportunities and possibilities to help you succeed throughout your undergraduate career.

As you decide on which campus will help you fulfill your educational goals, here are a few reasons why you should consider the University of California:

1.

2.

Resources and Opportunities for Success: The UC campuses have opportunities to support your growth personally and professionally through clubs, organizations, athletics, and among other involvements.

Additionally, all campuses offer resources such as tutoring, basic needs services, academic and career advising, mental health services, and many others to support your holistic development.

Research Institutions: The UC system is composed of top ranked research universities whose faculty and students are breaking ground in every discipline. They are contributing to world-knowledge within their interests and in topics that inspire them to make a difference.

3.

Affordability: The UC is recognized as one of the nation’s strongest financial aid awarding institutions. Including grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. Approximately 35% of all undergraduate students receive Pell Grants and more than 55% of UC’s California resident students have their tuition and fees fully covered!

Lastly, consider touring the different UC campuses you are admitted to in person or virtually. It is important to get a feel for campus life, talk to current students about their experiences, and take advantage of other resources offered to learn about the uniqueness of each campus. Congratulations again for striving for success. Regardless of which campus you choose, the University of California looks forward to welcoming and supporting you to achieve your goals!

www.cfep.uci.edu

3

Community College as a Viable Option to get to the UC

by Dion Medina, Program Coordinator, Community College Programs (CCP), UC Irvine

The University of California (UC) system has increasingly received more applications. In 2017,

UC Irvine received 85,000 applications from freshman applicants and was able to give admission to 31,000 students. Last year, UC Irvine received 120,000 applications from freshman applicants and could only offer admission to 25,000 students. In the previous five years, the number of applicants has significantly increased while the space for admission has remained the same. As a result, the admission rate has decreased from 40% in 2017 to 21% in 2022. With the increasing number of applicants for freshman admission, more and more students are looking towards community college as a path to get to the UC. Community colleges are post-secondary institutions that offer students an array of opportunities, including getting an associate’s degree, career and technical education, and an associates to transfer to a 4-year university. With the California College Promise Grant, first-time college students can start their higher education for free. The grant waives any tuition fees that students have so that you can focus on pursuing their academic goals.

UC’s have created programs to increase the transfer rate for community college students. Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) is a well-known program provided by the University of California. TAG guarantees admission to one of the six UC campuses (excluding UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UCSD) as long as you, the student, meet minimum requirements. This program is only available for California Community College students.

Local community colleges have also created initiatives to increase and improve transfer rates to the UC system. Santa Ana College has a Promise Program where students receive one year of free tuition, book loan, laptop loan, and bookstore gift cards. Many of the community colleges in the local area and throughout the system have similar commitments and resources for students. I encourage you to look into what is available at your local CC! And while you are at it, regardless of which CC you attend, the TAG program saves you money and gives you the confidence of guaranteed admission to the UC.

COMMUNITY

4

COLLEGE SPRING 2023

Getting accepted is just the beginning

by Erick Espino, Assistant Director, Community College Programs (CCP), UC Irvine

Hi Seniors!

CONGRATULATIONS on your recent college acceptance(s)!

Awaiting to hear back from the institutions you applied to in the fall must have been agonizing, but your hard work has truly paid off. As you prepare for this next step in your educational journey, I would like to take a moment to cover some important tasks and deadlines that will be crucial as you close this final chapter of your high school career. So, let’s get started!

As you received your offer of acceptance, it may have been easy to skip over the fine print that followed the exciting news, and I don’t blame you. Needless to say, the details that follow the exciting news are extremely important, as they reveal that your acceptance is provisional. What does this mean, you may ask?

In its simplest form, think of your offer as a contract between you and the institution that can only be finalized if you stick to your end of the bargain.

Complete all courses you indicated on your application and maintain a high level of performance. Do this, and you keep your admission.

FINANCIAL AID f Application Deadline - Due March 2nd f Submission of Affidavit (undocumented students) - Due date will vary by campus f Verification Documents - Due dates will vary HIGH SCHOOL f Graduate with a HS Diploma by the end of the Spring Term f Official Transcripts - Due by July 1st f AP/IB Exam Scores - Due by July 15th COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY f Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) - Due by May 1st (along with a non-refundable $250 deposit)

As you can see, there are still quite a few things to stay on top of as you finish your Senior year. It is especially important to keep an eye out for deadlines that vary by campus, as these are easily missed by students.

I encourage you to constantly check your to-do list items within your online portal, as well as the Senior Timeline on page 8, for more information on these important expectations.

If you run into any questions or need assistance with any part of the process, do not hesitate to contact your high school counselor, teachers, or academic advisors, as we are all here to support you. With that being said, congratulations again on this incredible achievement, and we look forward to seeing you succeed in this next step of your educational journey!

f Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) - Due by May 1st f On-Campus Housing Application/ Deposit - Due date will vary by campus*

So I hate to break it to you, but this is not the time to allow “Senioritis” to kick in. On the contrary, it is crucial that you maintain good grades in all of your classes (meaning nothing lower than a C) and meet all necessary deadlines outlined by the institution.

We understand that there are instances in which life happens, so if you find yourself in a position where your academics fall short, or you are unable to meet a specific deadline, get in contact with the appropriate office (Admissions and/or Financial Aid are usually your best bet) at your future campus as soon as possible.

Some of the other expectations that follow your admission offer include the following:

www.cfep.uci.edu

5

Understanding Your Financial Aid Award and Covering the Cost

by Jamal Collins, Student Financial Support Analyst, UC Office of the President

So you have applied for admission to several schools and completed the financial aid application listing those schools.

What happens next?

Well, shortly after receiving an offer of admission, you should also receive a financial aid award letter. Each school presents their financial aid award letter differently. However, they should all have the following key elements that will help you determine if the school is a financial fit for you and your family: Cost of Attendance – This is the estimated average annual cost to attend a college. It includes tuition and fees, room and board, books, supplies, and other educational expenses.

Gift Aid – These are the grants and scholarships that have been offered.

Think of this as a discount on your cost.

Loans – This is money that you can borrow to help pay the remaining costs after gift aid has reduced your cost.

Work – You may also be offered work-study in your financial aid award letter.

You can access this award by securing a qualified job. Students with workstudy jobs get paid by the hour, and their earnings are limited to the amount offered in their work-study award.

So how do you use these elements to determine how much this year of college will cost for you? You can use a simple formula to get your answer:

Cost of Attendance

MINUS

Gift Aid (Grants and Scholarships)

EQUALS

includes

DIRECT COSTS:

(Tuition, Fees, Dorms, Meal Plan)

INDIRECT COSTS:

(Books, Supplies, Transportation, Personal/Misc. Expenses)

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SPRING 2023

Estimate of Your Cost

HOW TO PAY YOUR ESTIMATED COSTS Coming up with a plan to cover your estimated costs is essential to your financial success in college, and you may have several options to do this:

Utilize Student Loans

Student loans will be a part of your financial aid award offer. We encourage students to borrow only the amounts that they need. Coming up with a plan will allow you to determine how much you will need to borrow. There are two types of federal loans that are typically offered to students.

Subsidized Loans – Payments for these loans are not required until six months after graduating or dropping below half-time enrollment in college. These are the most beneficial loans for students because they do not accrue interest while enrolled at least half time in college and during the grace period before the loan enters repayment.

Unsubsidized Loans – Like the Subsidized Loans, payments for these loans are not required until six months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment in college. The difference is that these loans begin accruing interest as soon as the loan is disbursed (“disbursed” is the term used by colleges for funding loans). When it is time for you to begin making payments on your unsubsidized loan, if there is any unpaid interest, that interest will be added to the balance of the loan in a process called capitalization.

Work-study/Student Employment

Another opportunity you may see in your financial aid award offer is work-study.

If you do not see a work-study offer, but are interested in work-study, contact your college financial aid office to inquire about being considered. There are student employment opportunities available in various departments at a college. Typically, departments prefer a work-study awardee for student employment opportunities, but it’s not always a requirement. Even if you

do not have a work-study award and you would like to work in a particular department, it’s recommended that you apply for the position you are interested in. Work-study and Student employees are paid an hourly wage.

Savings/Income

If you or your parents have saved money for your education, determine how these savings will factor into paying for your college costs. Also, if your parents can offer you money from their current income, factor that into your plan as well.

Parent Loans

The federal government offers loans for parents. This loan will show up as a Parent PLUS Loan on a financial aid award offer.

Like the Unsubsidized Loans, interest begins to accrue as the loan disburses, and any unpaid interest is capitalized when the loan goes into repayment. Repayment begins for these loans 60 days after the loan has fully disbursed, but parents can opt to defer payments until after a student graduates or ends their program.

Outside/Private Scholarship

For students attending UC, a great way to reduce your need to work and borrow is to get outside scholarships. These do require some work on your part to find and apply to.

Remember, you should NEVER pay to apply for or search for scholarships. Any services that require payment are typically a scam. Searching and applying for scholarships is something you should continue throughout your time in college.

SAVINGS/INCOME

WORK-STUDY STUDENT EMPLOYMENT

PARENT LOANS

STUDENT LOANS

OUTSIDE/PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIP

www.cfep.uci.edu

7

2022 SENIOR timeline

by Paola Sotelo, Assistant Director, EAOP, UC Irvine

JAN

FEBRUARY colleges you applied ● Visit to, whether it be in person

campus you will attend in the fall. Virtual visit options may be available.

gets sent.

to look for and apply to ● Continue scholarships.

FEB

or virtually, so you are ready to make a decision when admission letters start coming in next month.

APRIL Campus Open Houses and start ● Visit finalizing your decision about which

JANUARY your counselor about your Cal Grant ● Ask GPA Verification Form and make sure it

MAR APR

applicants: Report schedule changes ● UC and any grades lower than a “C” to schools that gave you an admission offer.

of financial aid!

31: Notification of Fall 2023 ● March admission decisions for UC freshman applicants is complete.

MAY 1: Deadline for admitted freshmen ● May to submit Statement of Intent to Register

UC freshmen to Berkeley, ● Incoming Merced, Los Angeles, San Diego,

(SIR) to UC/CSU campuses.

MAY

This is your LAST CHANCE to submit your final selection to attend one campus.

Many on-campus housing applications are also due around this time. Check with your individual campus. for AP Exams: Make sure to ● Reminder take the AP exams listed on your college

JUNE and send official transcripts from ● Request your high school registrar and make sure

applications.

JUN

they are sent to the university you plan to enroll in.

sure to complete any items on your ● Be institution’s portal to-do list.

JULY 1: Deadline to submit final, official ● July transcripts to UC campuses.

JUL SPRING 2023

2: California Dream Act and FAFSA ● March Application DUE for priority consideration

Grants.

better in your remaining school terms to keep your admissions to all universities.

8

decisions begins. Keep an eye on your email and postal mail for acceptance letters; Be patient, it may take time for them to get to you!

2: Deadline to submit Cal Grant ● March GPA Verification Form to be eligible for Cal

your academic GPA. Remember, ● Maintain you must pass all courses with a “C” or

and Riverside who have NOT met the Entry Level Writing Requirement

by April 1st must take the Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE) test.

All other UC campuses have campusspecific alternative methods to fulfill this requirement. Keep checking your email!

MARCH 1: You are almost there! ● March Notification of Fall 2023 admission

15: Deadline to submit official AP, IB ● July exam results to UC campus admissions

office. Test scores must be postmarked or electronically submitted on or before July 15.

Now that you have completed your final year of high school it is important to keep the university informed of your course completion by sending your official high school transcript.

Living and Learning:

How to Adjust to the College Lifestyle

by Isabel Villapando, Presentation Team Coordinator, EAOP, UC Irvine

Students are curious about life at the UC. Not just learning at the UC (Whoa! Hello Quarter system), but what it is like to live and be a UC student. This

article is intended to give students a brief overview of what they should consider when planning and preparing for their first year at a UC campus.

Transitioning to the UC system from high school is quite a change academically and personally. The UC system is a quarter system rather than what you might be used to, a semester system. A quarter system means there is a Fall, Winter, and Spring quarter within the academic year, along with Summer Sessions if you decide to take on summer courses. Within a quarter, there are 11 weeks of instruction. The first week is often when professors review the syllabus and explain the course structure and requirements, and around week 6 is the midterm season for test taking and or projects being due. Finals week comes within weeks 10 and 11 when the courses you are taking are coming to an end. As you may have noted, these quarters go by fast, and it is important to stay on track with studying to be successful in your courses.

The UC system has various campuses all throughout California, you may choose or have accepted to attend a

system that is close to home or farther away. Regardless of the proximity of the UC Campus you decide to go to, there are options for you to live on/near campus or off campus with family, if you have the means to commute. Living on campus and being a commuter can offer different college life experiences.

It is important to consider your options and the experience you would like for yourself.

that will align best with your schedule.

With this liberty comes responsibility.

You become responsible for your academic and personal success. With freedom and flexibility, it is easy to get carried away with your newfound liberty. To prepare for college, it is important to work on your study habits, discipline, and accountability to ensure you stay on top of your classes, grades, and mental health.

Living on campus will allow you to be surrounded by students living and sharing similar experiences as yourself.

Living on campus may not require you to own a vehicle because your classes, dining halls, grocery stores, and coffee shops are within walking distance of your college town. Commuter students spend less time on campus because of the commute from home to school. If you choose to commute, you will need to have a vehicle, purchase a parking pass, and plan for expenses likes gas, car payments, and car insurance, rather than rent and utilities, if you were to live on campus.

Luckily, being a part of the UC system means being a part of an enormous system of resources and support services to help you be successful.

The only challenge may sometimes be accessing these resources simply because you may not know they even exist. It is important that you are constantly checking for university communication that will connect you to resource centers. There are plenty of resources on campus for you, such as cross-cultural centers, dream centers, basic needs hubs, health centers, and even meditation centers! Academically, you have advisors specific to your majors or schools that you are able to meet with as much as you’d like to ensure that you are on the right track in completing your requirements for graduation.

With college comes liberty! Instead of having to go to school from 8-3pm, you are given the liberty and independence to choose the classes that work best for you and your schedule. Whether you have work, are involved in extracurricular activities, or simply are more of a morning / night person, you are able to choose the times and days

www.cfep.uci.edu

9

FOR MY FAMILY

by Juanita Vasquez, Former Program Coordinator, Community College Programs, UC Irvine

Going to college is a significant milestone in the life of students and their families. It is a period of

transition that requires adjustments not only for the collegebound student, but also for the parents, guardians, and entire family. This moment could also be an exciting and scary time for families, one that is made more difficult because of the dual challenges being faced: providing guidance to their students and managing their own emotions about this change.

It’s inevitable to have fears and concerns about how your student will fare on their own as they transition to college.

After all, they are adjusting to an entirely new education system, new schedule, academic rigor, managing their own time, deciding their major, and balancing responsibilities.

Families might feel the need to protect their students from the challenges of the outside world, which is a valid concern, but you can feel some relief knowing there are programs and services available at colleges to help ease these concerns.

Programs for first-time college students, such as First Year Experience, are designed to ease the high school to college transition. These programs build a community of support for first-time students by incorporating mentoring, social activities, and academic counseling and support.

10

SPRING 2023

Remember, your student is in a new environment and learning to manage a full schedule while facing new challenges, and while in time they will adjust to this major life change, initially, it might become overwhelming. Something helpful families can do is keep an open line of communication and make yourselves known as someone they can depend on. Support can look different depending on people’s needs, and in time you will become more aware of what works for you and your student. That support might come in the form of a care package, spending time together, providing a listening ear, or doing an activity that will give them a break from college.

If there is a need for outside help, know that most colleges and universities provide mental health resources to students or can help them find professional care.

As you go through this transition, you can rest assured that your student will survive and thrive in college. It might seem difficult, but this transition to college could be an opportunity for a new relationship with an emerging young adult. Finding their voice and advocating for themselves will allow them to grow into new responsibilities. Embrace the change.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

by Jonathan Caceres, J.D. Candidate · Class of 2024, UC Irvine School of Law

“If you choose not to believe and lack hope, you will fail every time.”

—Yoda As silly as it seems, this powerful quote from Star Wars stuck with me as a young kid and has remarkably continued to apply in my life ever since.

My story begins in Santa Ana, where I was born and raised with five sisters and two brothers. With my parents and siblings being Guatemalan immigrants, we had very little growing up and would clean homes and offices to make ends meet. While I was in middle school, tragedy struck. The stronghold of our family, my mother, was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. In my freshman year of high school, she passed away.

That day, I lost not only my mother but also my best friend. Instead of letting this loss define me, I committed myself to making her proud, and I have never lost hope since.

Admittedly, my grades in my freshman year of high school were some of the worst I have ever had. Without my mother to help me navigate life, the thought of college seemed distant, and I was afraid of the future. However, my outlook on school, and life in general, changed as soon as I realized I needed to look at it from a different perspective. It became clear that life is a blessing we cannot take for granted.

We are meant to enjoy the little things, even the tough times, that make us grow as individuals.

Fortunately, I was accepted to UCI as an undergraduate student. The new environment, freedom, and pressure to succeed intimated me. However, I soon learned how liberating the experience was. I was able to schedule my classes

to my liking, joined a social fraternity, and was able to gain work experience.

After switching my major at least three times, I found my calling in political science, where I enjoyed writing and reading, and thereafter learned its applicability to law. After taking a few classes, many of whom were taught by attorneys themselves and working with the law school through the Saturday Academy of Law (SAL), I became motivated and grew a passion to make a difference in my community through law.

After working full-time while being a full-time student, I earned an acceptance to UCI Law with a generous scholarship. It is easy to simply put on paper the success I have had thus far, but what is hidden is how much I have struggled and sacrificed to achieve this.

The long nights I had to stay up and the amount of times I wanted to give up, were countless.

However, despite all these challenges, I never lost hope. Hope for me is making my mother proud and being a positive moving force in my community. My advice to you is never to lose hope, as I hope my story not only informs you but also exemplifies how you, too, can dream big and achieve your dreams.

www.cfep.uci.edu

11

WHAT's NEXT FOR JUNIORS?

by Michelle Diaz, Associate Director, P-20 Programs, UC Irvine

Senior year can be overwhelming for students, but it doesn’t have to be if you keep track and prepare yourself.

Senior year will be busy not only with senior activities but also making sure you are prepared academically with A-G requirements, dual enrollment, completing college applications, selecting which campuses you plan on applying to, and financial aid.

ACADEMICS: Meeting A-G requirements ensures that you will qualify to apply to a CSU, UC, or Private schools. Meet with your school counselor to ensure that you have satisfied the requirements. If you are deficient in meeting these requirements, you will want to take advantage of summer school to address the subjects you are deficient in.

Dual enrollment is another option you should explore and plan for your senior year. It’s a great way to complete college courses while still in high school. It also helps make you a competitive applicant when applying to universities.

12

SPRING 2023

APPLYING TO UNIVERSITIES:

FINANCIAL AID:

Begin to research the universities you plan to apply to. Things to consider before applying is location, living on or off campus, majors offered, and student life.

Financial aid will determine if you receive grants, loans, and work-study to help with tuition and other expenses.

You must apply to the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Both applications will open on October 1st of your Senior year and close on March 2nd. A financial application must be completed before the deadline to ensure that you qualify for the maximum amount of financial aid.

Begin familiarizing yourself with the application process. If you plan to apply to a UC, consider the Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) and decide which 4 out of 8 best reflect your high school education, student activities, volunteerism, and community involvement. If you intend to apply to private universities, familiarize yourself with the Common App and the different requirements private schools may have. Having a handy brag sheet listing your accomplishments, accolades, and involvement in your community will help when completing your applications and requesting letters of recommendation from your counselor, teachers, or mentors.

Scholarships are free to complete, and you can begin submitting them immediately; you do not need to wait until senior year to apply. Local community scholarships and related school-based scholarships may be offered at your high school. It is essential to apply for scholarships as it is free money that does not need to be paid back and will assist in covering expenses.

The transition to senior year can be smooth as long as you prepare.

Preparation is key to having a successful and stress free senior year.

RISING JUNIOR timeline

by Paola Sotelo, Assistant Director, EAOP, UC Irvine

AUGUST 2023 1: UC Application opens at ● Aug. https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/ SEPTEMBER 2023 a list of universities ● Create you plan to apply to and

apply-now.html

AUG

planning to submit the UC application, ● Ifnow is a good time to start preparing responses for the Personal Insight Questions (PIQs).

and apply for available ● Search scholarships

participate in any online college fairs your school may be hosting

two or three people ● Identify to help review your college

SEP

application materials, specifically your PIQ, if applying to the UC

for any letters of ● Ask recommendation for

colleges that require them for admissions, be sure to give your recommenders an ample amount of time

OCTOBER 2023 ● October 1: UC and CSU Application opens 1: CA Dream Act and FAFSA ● October applications open!

OCT

1: Filing period for Cal Grant GPA ● October Verification Form submission begins to your counselor and see if there ● Speak will be any college fairs offered by your school or community partners

admission pages of the campuses ● Visit you are applying to and participate in college tours

NOVEMBER 2023 ● November 30: UC applications due sure you have your college ● Make application reviewed prior to submitting!

NOV

DECEMBER 2023 ● Dec 1st: CSU Applications due Deadlines vary by campus, check regularly to ensure you have the right date/deadline you have taken the SAT or ACT exam, we ● Ifhighly recommend you to send your test

DEC

scores to the schools you have applied to Note that this is not a requirement, as the SAT and ACT exams have been deemed optional for the 2024 application period.

Check specific campuses and majors for SAT/ACT submission requirements

searching and applying for ● Continue available scholarships!

www.cfep.uci.edu

13

TOP 5 WAYS:

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

by Viviana Cabrera, Presentation Team, EAOP, UC Irvine

High school is a great time to learn, explore, develop, and dream. When you start your freshman year, you may

not know where you want to go to college or what you want to study. But there are things you can do that will move you towards being ready to select, apply, and be accepted to a great college. Here are 5 tips to help you prepare for your college education.

PLAN AHEAD

UNDERSTAND/MAINTAIN YOUR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

14

Planning ahead will help ensure you are prepared and organized to begin college.

To plan ahead, you should begin by creating both a short and long-term plan that includes personal and professional goals. These goals should include college courses, organizations you are interested in, participating in internships/volunteer opportunities, and career preparation.

Getting accepted to college requires achieving high grades in college preparation courses throughout your four years in high school. This commitment to high grades in these competitive courses should continue throughout high school and college.

A strong academic performance in college can be achieved by discovering your study habits and developing new ways to learn with your peers and professors. Your peers and professors are there to support you, so take advantage of the office hours available to you.

BUILD CONNECTIONS /NETWORK

Strong connections with professors, peers, campus staff, and so many others will help open doors and opportunities to aid you in achieving your career goals.

Networking allows you to grow and strengthen your relationships with individuals who can provide insight that will expand your knowledge, opportunities to grow, increase confidence in your performance, and a professional reputation.

GET INVOLVED

Getting involved is a key part of the college experience. College students who are involved in various activities and organizations on campus are more likely to feel connected to their peers and college. A sense of connectedness makes us feel supported and confident in pursuing our academic goals. Getting involved also allows you to discover new skills and abilities you may not have been aware of before. These new skills and abilities can help you as a college student and in your future career. As a high school student preparing to go to college, you can already begin researching activities and organizations offered at your future college.

Connect with students in these various activities and organizations to learn more.

EXPLORE YOUR FUTURE COLLEGE EARLY

While waiting to graduate from high school and attend college in the Fall, it is strongly recommended that you begin exploring your future college early. This exploration can be in the form of browsing through the college website, going on a tour of the campus, attending any fairs the college may be holding (even virtually), and reaching out to current students to gain insight into the student life experience.

SPRING 2023

LEADERS OF TODAY

by Maria Diaz Gonzalez, Program Support Coordinator, EAOP, UC Irvine

Leadership can be demonstrated in different forms; however, the same characteristics are given to true leaders. Leadership is an action to guide people or an organization toward a common mission or goal. Most often, leaders not only take the initiative to be goal-setting individuals, but to ensure their shared goals and values align with the group they lead. Leaders are known to demonstrate qualities such as determination, initiative, and empathy. It is not only important to lead, but to maintain a connection with their followers to ensure their mission is successful. Most leadership roles fall under two categories: formal and informal leadership. Formal leadership is having a specific role or position in a group, organization, or involvement.

For instance, being the president of Key Club or the team captain of your soccer team. Informal leadership has a significant role in your personal life and may come in the form of supporting others. For example, taking care of your siblings, being the eldest, or volunteering at your local food bank.

As you can see, leadership can be shown at school, in your community, and at home. It is extremely important to take ownership of your leadership skills in all facets of your life, especially when pursuing higher education.

Colleges want to admit well-rounded individuals to ensure they take advantage of the opportunities to grow as scholars and professionals.

Institutions want to admit positiveminded individuals that can be empathic to other cultures, traditions, ideas, and values that bring their knowledge and experience to their campus community. As a college student, there will be opportunities to take the initiative by creating student-

run clubs, conducting research, or exploring career opportunities. Your leadership in your college community is your contribution to making your college experience and the college experience of others better.

Learning how to become a leader is a skill that is not easily mastered; it requires time and practice. Leadership can only be learned once one steps out of their comfort zone to become a mentor, a problem-solver, and a visionary.

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THE EDGE

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VOLUME 13 ISSUE 2 2023 Editors: Ashley Cheri, Ed.D., Director, EAOP, UC Irvine Paola Sotelo, Assistant Director, EAOP, UC Irvine Contributors: Viviana Cabrera, Presentation Team, EAOP, UC Irvine Jonathan Caceres, J.D. Candidate · Class of 2024, UC Irvine School of Law Jamal Collins, Student Financial Support Analyst, UC Office of the President Maria Diaz Gonzalez, Program Support Coordinator, EAOP, UC Irvine Michelle Diaz, Associate Director, P-20 Programs, UC Irvine Erick Espino, Assistant Director, Community College Programs (CCP), UC Irvine Kimberly Macias, M.S, Senior Admissions Counselor, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, UC Irvine Dion Medina, Program Coordinator, Community College Programs (CCP), UC Irvine Juanita Vasquez, Former Program Coordinator, Community College Programs, UC Irvine Isabel Villapando, Presentation Team Coordinator, EAOP, UC Irvine Design by: m2dg, inc. www.m2dg.com Publication by: University of California, Irvine | Center for Educational Partnerships Frances Contreras, Ph.D., Dean, School of Education, UC Irvine Stephanie Reyes-Tuccio, Ph.D., Assistant Vice Chancellor, Educational Partnerships, UC Irvine Santana Ruiz, M.Ed., Deputy Director, Center for Educational Partnerships, UC Irvine

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