IAM Increasing Access Mentoring Program
Pullias Center for Higher Education                    May 1, 2015

Increasing Access via Mentoring Program (I AM) 
University of Southern California
Dear 

 

Congratulations, now that you have decided which college to attend, you can start getting excited about your new school! We know that this month will go by quickly. Nonetheless, it is very important to stay focused on your classes and keep your grades up! 

 

Do not forget to submit all of the necessary forms (i.e. final high school transcripts, housing application, financial aid documentation, immunization records, orientation registration and summer bridge programs) to complete your college registration. Many services and programs such as housing, orientation and summer bridge programs are on a first come, first served basis. Further, make sure you choose an orientation session in July (if available), as you will use that time to register for classes and they tend to fill out quickly. 

 

Next Saturday, May 9, is the UC Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE). The AWPE is an important test; it determines your writing class placement. Best of luck to those of you taking the AWPE exam and other placement exams in the coming weeks. 

 

Lastly, our SummerTime 2015 application is officially open!  We expect all I AM students to apply as they will be eligible for scholarships through our SummerTime program. The program is early enough that it should not conflict with your orientation sessions, summer remediation activities or  summer bridge programs. The deadline to submit all SummerTime application materials is next Friday May 8. (Read below for more details.) 

  

Sincerely,

 

I AM Staff

 

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Link
In This Issue
(Follow the links for more information)

 

Celebration

Join us for our End of the Year Celebration! 

You are invited by the Pullias Center for Higher Education to celebrate your participation and successful completion of the I AM Mentoring Program. 

When: Friday, May 8, 2015 
Where: WPH SOS-B49
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.   

Please RSVP by May 4, by following the links below:

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SummerTIME

 

 SummerTime Application is Open!

SummerTIME

Requirements for ALL Applicants:
  • Must be a current I AM student
  • Committed to daily program attendance, class participation, and timely completion of assignments;
  • Enroll in a 4-year institution in Fall 2015; and 
  • Have an EFC (Expected Family Contribution) of less than $10,000
*Participating students will be considered for scholarships 
To start your application, click here

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Tests
  UC Placement Test 
 



ALL STUDENTS who will enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing Requirement. 

By now, unless you are exempt, you should have received a letter in the mail with instructions of where to go to take your UC placement test. If you got a few waiver when you submitted your UC application, you will either get a few waiver for your placement test or a fee reduction. For more information  about testing fees and FAQ about the UC English Placement test, click here or contact the following number: (800) 839-8507 

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Housing

Tips for Smart Housing: Cutting Cost 

 

It is strongly recommended for students to live on campus during their first year in college. Besides tuition, housing will be the biggest expense that you will encounter during college. Here are some helpful tips to help you reduced your room and board expenses. 

 

1. Apply to housing by the deadline: Submitting your housing application by the stated deadline, increases your chances to get your desired housing preferences in and avoid late fees. 

 

2. Choose a Triple Residential Hall as your First Option for Housing: A private room with a private bathroom is going to be much more expensive than a shared room with a community bathroom. The idea here is to go with cheapest housing option.  

 

3. Choose a reasonable meal plan: Plan your meals and do not over budget yourself. Wasted meals are wasted money. From our own experiences, an average of 14 meals per week should be enough to get you through college. 

 

4. Start your shopping earlier: Things such thick blankets, sheets, pillows, hangers, shampoo, etc. will be essential for you during college. You want to start buying those things now as opposed to later in the summer when everyone else is buying them. They are cheaper now. 

 

 

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Orientation
Why is it important? 
  • This is "get acquainted" time. If you have not done so yet, this is your chance to get to know your campus, take a tour, meet students and experience what it will feel like during the fall. 
  • This is an informational time.You will learn how to enroll in classes, explore degree requirements and, if attending a UC, you will take your Math Placement Test. 
  • This is the beginning of your college journey! 

 

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scholarships

South Central Scholars 

 

Amount:  Varies 
Application Opens: Varies 
For more info: click  here
 

 

 

 

Los Hermanos de Stanford 

 

Amount: $1,000 

Deadline: May 5, 2015
For more info: click here 

Alphonso Deal Scholarship Award 

 

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: May 15, 2015 

For more info: click here

 

I AM First Scholarship *

 

Amount: Up to $4,000 

Deadline: May 22, 2015

For more info: click here

B. Davis Scholarship 

 

Amount: $1,000 

Deadline: May 25, 2015 

For more info: click here

 

 

 

 

Salvadoran American Leadership & Educational Fund* 

 

Amount:  Up to $2,250 
Deadline:  May 30, 2015 
For more info: click  here

Red Tread Foundation for Women 

 

Amount: Varies 

Deadline: May 31, 2015 

For more info: click here

 

 

CEO of Tomorrow Scholarship


 

Amount: $2,500

Deadline: June 1, 2015 

For more info: click here

 

 

Minority Affairs Committee's Scholarship Award 

 

Amount: $1,000 

Deadline: July 1, 2015 

For more info: click here

 

 


* open to undocumented immigrant students

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Sincerely,

IAM Increasing Access Mentoring Program
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