Educational Opportunity Program
UCI recognizes and values the contributions of a student community that reflects the cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of the people of California. The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) provides pre-University programs and services aimed at increasing the eligibility rates for socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Qualification for EOP is based primarily on family income level, and all students served by the program must be California residents, with the exception of American Indian students.
EOP programs and services are located in the Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools and in the Center for Educational Partnerships; telephone (714) 824-7484; e-mail: oars@uci.edu.
Admission. Outreach counselors in the Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools visit high schools and community colleges throughout California and meet with prospective students, parents, teachers, counselors, and school officials to discuss the admission and financial aid process, housing, and the academic opportunities available at UCI.
Prospective students indicate their interest in being considered for EOP services on the UC Undergraduate Application for Admission and must provide the information requested. Application fee waivers are available for low-income applicants who meet the eligibility criteria.
Housing. UCI guarantees on-campus housing to all new EOP students who meet the housing application deadline.
Prior to enrolling at UCI, a limited number of admitted EOP students are invited to participate in a Summer Bridge Program sponsored by Student Academic Advancement Services (SAAS). SAAS and the California Alliance for Minority Participation in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (CAMP) offer a variety of services to EOP students once they enroll at UCI including advising, tutoring, and learning skills services.
Center for Educational Partnerships
The Center for Educational Partnerships supports cooperative educational partnerships among UCI and California schools and colleges, and provides pre-enrollment services to prospective students.
Partnership Programs. The Partnership Network, an academic collaboration including UCI, K12 schools, and postsecondary institutions, was established to encourage and develop creative leadership through various forums and to bring to light the best understanding of effective educational practices, paradigms, and structures.
Project STEP (Student/Teacher Educational Partnership) is a regional model of institutional collaboration from K-16 to improve the college attendance rates of minority students. Participating campuses include UCI, California State University at Fullerton, Rancho Santiago College, Chapman College, and the Santa Ana Unified School District.
Santa Ana Networks includes activities which focus on increasing the educational achievement of at-risk youth and is based on the premise that the educational system must reach and serve students in new far-ranging ways, and engage partners who are equally committed to student success. This is accomplished on the strength of two existing programs, Project STEP, which is mentioned above, and Santa Ana 2000, a business/community/citywide partnership.
Summer Scholars Transfer Institute, a collaborative Rancho Santiago College/UCI residential summer institute, facilitates the transfer of at-risk students to a four-year university and is a successful model of two institutions working together to provide academic readiness.
Pre-College Initiatives and Services. The Center for Educational Partnerships promotes statewide pre-college initiatives that help disadvantaged students develop the academic skills and background needed to enter college. These initiatives include Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA); Young Black Scholars; Upward Bound; and California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal SOAP). Call (714) 824-7482 for information.
Early Academic Outreach and Academic Development Partnerships provide pre-enrollment services. Early Academic Outreach development programs assist intermediate and high school students to become aware of academic opportunities and how to prepare for admission to the University of California. Workshops, special events, and conferences are offered to program participants and their parents. Call (714) 824-7482 for information.
The Academic Development Partnerships division is dedicated to improved student academic preparation for college success through establishment of K-12/college/university academic partnerships. Staff generate extramural support for discipline-specific initiatives for curriculum reform, professional development, and student academic services. Call (714) 824-6596 for information.
In addition, the Educational Opportunity Program and Center for Educational Partnerships are aligned with the California Alliance for Minority Participation in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (CAMP), a program for students interested in these disciplines. CAMP provides research opportunities for undergraduates, faculty mentoring, and peer group support. Call (800) 359-2579 or (714) 824-3479 for information.
Student Academic Advancement Services
Student Academic Advancement Services (SAAS), a unit of the Division of Undergraduate Education, provides support services to students who are first-generation college students or low-income students, as well as disabled students (those with physical and/or learning disabilities). The goal of SAAS is to help students earn their University degree. See the Division of Undergraduate Education section of the Catalogue for additional information.
Graduate and Professional Opportunity Program
Through the Graduate and Professional Opportunity Program (GPOP), steps are taken to increase the participation of students from traditionally underrepresented groups in graduate education.
The University has identified African-Americans, Mexican-Americans/Chicanos, American Indians/Native Americans, Filipinos, and Latinos as the most severely underrepresented groups, and it recognizes that Asian-Americans and women are underrepresented in certain fields.
GPOP offers several programs and services for new and continuing graduate students. Eligibility for merit-based fellowships is based on demonstrated scholastic achievement, full-time status, and U.S. citizenship. Students may be asked to provide verification of ethnicity.
Assistance is offered during the admission process, and every effort is made through GPOP advisement and support to ensure that all students will have the opportunity to attain their academic objectives.
Medical Student Support Programs
The College of Medicine's Office of Admissions and Outreach is designed to meet the challenges of California's changing demographics and to contribute to the College's goal of achieving a broad spectrum of diversity in the student population, and ultimately, in the medical profession. The office plays a major role in the recruitment and retention of targeted socioeconomically disadvantaged students who have the potential of service to the medically underserved communities in California.
Additional information is available in the College of Medicine section.
