Upward Bound is a program that truly had a positive influence in my educational career. It was great to be a part of a group made up of students from different high schools, but with similar disadvantaged backgrounds. We all strived for a common purpose, however, and that was to obtain tools necessary for academic success throughout high school, gain acceptance into a four-year university, and continue with the skills we learned in order to be successful in a university setting. Not only did Upward Bound help prepare me academically, but mentally and socially as well.

The summer program was the component that I found the most valuable. Being away from home was one thing that the summer program definitely prepared me for, as well as the dorm life, since moving in with a complete stranger is something that I had to experience as a freshman in college. Academically the Upward Bound summer program was challenging and taught me study skills as well as how to manage my time under pressure. Not only was the program itself beneficial, but its director and academic coordinator, Lily and Tony, demonstrated their eagerness for the students to learn new things and prepare themselves for college. In my experience, they were my mentors and were always eager to answer questions to help me in any way possible.

I am currently an Undeclared-Social Science major at UCLA and am considering Political Science as a possible major. In the future, I would like to be involved in Education and contribute back to my community by helping underprivileged high school students obtain a higher education, much like Upward Bound did for me.