The Coastal Bend College Upward Bound – George West, Odem, Sinton, Taft program recently traveled to The University of Texas at San Antonio with a group of area high school students. Participants sat in on UTSA information sessions regarding financial aid, admissions, campus life and specific majors and posed questions to university representatives. The students then took part in a real college experience by dining at UTSA’s Roadrunner Café.
After lunch they browsed over 100 booths from various campus organizations and departments. Some students visited the Housing & Residence Life booth while others learned about student health services and campus recreation. Students were given brochures and gifts from the university, such as pens, notebooks, college memorabilia and information about the university.
“Picking the right college can be a difficult task for high school students,” said April Zapata, TRiO Upward Bound-GOST Academic Advisor at Coastal Bend College. “Imagine being the first in your family to ever attend college and not having anyone to turn to for questions. For many students, this is the reality.”
TRiO has been in existence at Coastal Bend College since the mid-1970s. Upward Bound G.O.S.T., with an annual award of $250,000, serves 50 high school students in four communities. Participating high schools are George West, Odem, Sinton and Taft. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition, mathematics and science on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during summers. Currently 774 programs are in operation throughout the United States.
“Fortunately, Coastal Bend College has TRiO programs that help students when it comes to choosing a college,” Zapata said. Students and staff will travel to the Texas State University campus in San Marcos in the spring.
For more information on UB-GOST and other TRiO programs, go to: http://vct.coastalbend.edu/cbcss/content/index.cfm/fa/viewpage/category_id/3085.htm.
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