Frequently Asked Questions

When new programs are created, we see a rise of intellectual curiosity and concern. UPals Partners works with their community liaisons to resolve all issues and answer all questions. To cover some of the more common questions from parents, school districts and universities, we have listed a series of questions and answers below:

1. What are the criteria for the students allowed in the UPals Program?
UPals is offered to any student regardless of race, socio-economic conditions, grade point average. The primary criterion is that they must represent first generation college bound students. UPals wants to capture the “motivationally enthused”, not the academic elite.

2. How are the students selected?
UPals relies on the Guidance Counselors in the school districts to highlight the UPals program to students who fit the criteria. We believe that the guidance counselor is probably the most intimate with the child and can help steer the child to a program where he/she can be successful.

3. We expect to have more students apply to UPals then we can accommodate, how do I know if my student will be accepted?
Students start their application to UPals by completing an online application (or a paper one). Applications must be completed in full or they are rejected. If the child meets the criterion of being a first generation college bound student, then both parent and child go through a series of workshops and interviews before the final selection. All student applications are reviewed by the university and those who make the cut are invited for an interview. Interviews are done in groups so students are encouraged to be prepared to explain why they want to attend the UPals summer program.
Students are informed of their application status within one month of the interview. Once the child is accepted to UPals, the parents are also asked to complete a parent commitment contract.

4. What does it cost to participate in a UPals program?
For the student and parents, the program is free. The expenses of the program are covered by donations from: the local school districts, the university, members of the business community and private donors. No one organization bears the burden of all the expenses.

5. What is the cost of the entire program?
The costs to implement a UPals program is entirely dependent on the resources in the community and the number of students the university is willing to host. Upon agreement to hosting a UPals program, a detailed budget will be drafted at which time, it is determined on how much financial and like-kind resources will be needed. Generally speaking the cost of the first year program is less than $1,000 a student. Cost per student in the subsequent years is considerably less.

6. How is UPals different from other college access programs?
There are many unique differences between UPals and other college access programs. Some of the key ones are listed here:

• First, traditional college access programs have focused on students in high school. While we also stay connected to our UPals students when they are in high school, we introduce the UPals program in 7th Grade.
• Second, UPals is a longitudinal program capturing the student in 7th grade and then bringing them back to the college campus every year until the end of their junior year in high school.
• Third, while many college access programs deliberately “cream skim” the best and brightest, UPals does not. Individuals are selected based on drive and enthusiasm so that all students are similarly motivated to stay on course.
• And fourth, UPals is a true private/public partnership whereby corporations and local businesses are investing in the education of their future workforce.

7. What if there are other summer programs being offered at my university? Can we still host a UPals program?
Absolutely. There is never one-size fits all when you are working with children and their parents. An educational roadmap with many opportunities for success is critical. In addition, colleges may host programs but rarely make them their own and are accountable for the success metrics. UPals asks for a more intimate engagement with the university. It asks the university to expose its faculty, administration and facilities to demystify the college process for these underserved students.

8. What happens if my child doesn’t get accepted?
There are always other programs offered in the community for motivated students. Your guidance counselor will help you seek them out

9. I appreciate that UPals has a “program in a box” for easy implementation at my university, but what if I want to change it – add more classes or more dimensions to the parental workshops that reflect my community?
This is totally allowed. UPals Partners created UPals as a standard program to make the implementation simple and complete. However, there are times that local community requirements demand that we change the program. We accept that and even encourage it. There are a few show-stoppers but not many. We welcome new ideas and improvements to the program.