College Access Plan is Back in Session at PUSD Schools

With the start of a new school year, Pasadena-based nonprofit College Access Plan (CAP) (www.collegeaccessplan.org) is excited to resume its on-campus, college-preparedness programs at John Muir, Pasadena, and Blair high schools. In the 2012-2013 academic year alone, 410 high school students participated in CAP’s one-to-one college advisement and small group workshop programs at these three schools, including over 250 seniors. This fall, CAP is expanding by hiring two new program coordinators and adding programs to Marshall Fundamental High School and Blair Middle School. CAP’s new line-up allows the organization to reach a wider student population in PUSD and help them achieve their big college dreams. Students are invited to take advantage of CAP’s drop-in, no commitment programs, which are offered throughout the school year.

CAP’s after-school programs are unique because there are no barriers to entry; CAP serves all motivated students, regardless of academic record or ability to consistently attend programs. Students can drop in once with questions about a college application or about financial aid, or they can take advantage of the full range of CAP’s services, beginning in with college and career exploration, developing effective communication skills, preparing and maintaining a résumé, and academic planning and ending with college applications, financial aid forms, high school graduation, and college attendance.

Manual Rustin, Social Science Teacher at John Muir High School observes: “CAP is able to provide not only the knowledge but a lot of the nurturing. I’ve had students who are really timid and don’t know or don’t feel like they’re comfortable with reaching out to somebody, or students who are hesitant to just communicate that they know nothing about what to do or what they should be doing. And each time I’ve gone into CAP, it’s…a really nurturing atmosphere and very flexible, as well, versus some programs where you have to sign up or apply ahead of time.”

Mariah Holden, 2013 Pasadena High School graduate and CAP alumna who is attending NYU adds: “A lot of the college programs these days are very expensive, and…I wanted the help–the extra assistance–because I know that my parents…could guide me in the right direction, but I would need something more intricate and involved. So I thought it was very cool and that it was free and after school, so I was like ‘cool, let’s do this!’”

CAP’s programs will begin August 19th for the fall 2013 semester, and all students are invited to come check out what CAP has to offer. A schedule of CAP’s programs at participating PUSD high schools and middle schools can be found on CAP’s website (http://collegeaccessplan.org/students/calendar/).

About College Access Plan

College Access Plan is a Pasadena 501c3 nonprofit that prepares underserved students to succeed in college. Through partnerships with PUSD, Pasadena LEARNs, and Mustangs on the Move, CAP provides drop-in college advisement and topic-specific workshops at four PUSD high schools as well as Blair and Washington middle schools. CAP’s programs are open to all students who aspire to Dream Bigger about their futures.