How Many Students Does the Project Serve?
The OCU Upward Bound Program will serve 60 students overall. This number will include a combination of students from each of our eight target schools.
How Are Students eligible for the program?
Students must have completed 8th Grade, be between 13 and 19 years of age, meet eligibility requirements (income-based, and/or a first-generation student, and/or academically-based). Students must also have a desire to be in, and actively participate in, the program and its activities.
Students in our program are high school students, meet income-based requirements, and/or are first-generation students (students from families in which neither parent/guardian holds a Bachelor's Degree), and/or are identified as "academically at-risk" (with appropriate documentation).
Students in our program are high school students, meet income-based requirements, and/or are first-generation students (students from families in which neither parent/guardian holds a Bachelor's Degree), and/or are identified as "academically at-risk" (with appropriate documentation).
What is the Upward Bound Program?
The Upward Bound Program provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves: high school students from low-income families; and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education, and enroll in and graduate from institutions of
post-secondary education.
post-secondary education.
What is the purpose of the upward bound program
The purpose of the Upward Bound (UB) Program is to generate in program participants the skills and motivation necessary to complete a program of secondary education and to enter and succeed in a program of post-secondary education.
What is the mission of OCU Upward Bound?
The Oakland City University Upward Bound Program is an intensive, year-round college-preparatory program. Our mission is to assist eligible high school students in the successful completion of secondary education, and to prepare each of them academically and socially for enrollment and completion of higher education in a post-secondary institution of the student’s choice.
The mission also instills the ideas of achievement in all aspects necessary to succeed collegiately, and includes building an atmosphere that enhances positive self-esteem, while fostering unity and collaboration. In essence, The Oakland City University Upward Bound Program will help students achieve their full potential.
The mission also instills the ideas of achievement in all aspects necessary to succeed collegiately, and includes building an atmosphere that enhances positive self-esteem, while fostering unity and collaboration. In essence, The Oakland City University Upward Bound Program will help students achieve their full potential.
What is the vision of OCU Upward Bound?
The Oakland City University Upward Bound Program promotes the principle that a post-secondary education is the threshold to accomplishment and opportunity for traditionally underrepresented, low-income, first-generation youth.
We are dedicated to the retention and graduation of all students in our program through academic excellence, technical preparation, and the enhancement of each individual’s intellectual and social development.
We believe that with adequate preparation and guidance, those students who have the desire to attend college, and are committed to putting forth the effort required to achieve their goals, will be able to complete their post-secondary studies and accomplish life-long ambitions.
We are dedicated to the retention and graduation of all students in our program through academic excellence, technical preparation, and the enhancement of each individual’s intellectual and social development.
We believe that with adequate preparation and guidance, those students who have the desire to attend college, and are committed to putting forth the effort required to achieve their goals, will be able to complete their post-secondary studies and accomplish life-long ambitions.
What are the GPA requirements to participate in Upward Bound @ OCU?
There are no GPA requirements, but our program strongly encourages a minimum GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
What happens if I am accepted into the program but transfer to another school?
Don't worry! You're still a member of the OCU UB Family. We will do everything we can to serve you as a student in our program.
As an OCU UB student, what do I need to do during the academic year to remain in good standing with the program?
First, remember that once you are accepted into the OCU UB Program, you're in for good! No need to reapply each year. Beyond that, in order to remain in good standing with the program and continue to have access to all of OCU UB's secondary/post-secondary resources, all you need to do is:
Stay in school. If you drop out of school or do not graduate on time, OCU UB will offer you assistance with GED programs or re-entry into high school. But you will not be able to take full advantage of everything OCU UB has to offer unless you stay in school.
Stay focused & stay in touch. We know that high school is difficult and stressful for many reasons, but we fully believe that all OCU UB students have everything it takes to succeed in school and set themselves on a path for success and happiness beyond graduation. If you find that your grades are slipping or stress is too difficult to manage, we are here for you. Take advantage of OCU UB's tutoring/mentorship resources to get yourself back on track, or reach out to the OCU UB Staff for more personalized support.
Uphold the core philosophies of the OCU UB program. All OCU UB participants are expected to be exemplary representatives of the OCU UB Family throughout the year, which means uphold our central values of community, leadership, and positive energy.
Stay in school. If you drop out of school or do not graduate on time, OCU UB will offer you assistance with GED programs or re-entry into high school. But you will not be able to take full advantage of everything OCU UB has to offer unless you stay in school.
Stay focused & stay in touch. We know that high school is difficult and stressful for many reasons, but we fully believe that all OCU UB students have everything it takes to succeed in school and set themselves on a path for success and happiness beyond graduation. If you find that your grades are slipping or stress is too difficult to manage, we are here for you. Take advantage of OCU UB's tutoring/mentorship resources to get yourself back on track, or reach out to the OCU UB Staff for more personalized support.
Uphold the core philosophies of the OCU UB program. All OCU UB participants are expected to be exemplary representatives of the OCU UB Family throughout the year, which means uphold our central values of community, leadership, and positive energy.
How does OCU UB support it's students throughout the academic year?
OCU UB will make frequent visits to each of our target schools. In addition, our program will have a mentor tutor to assist you on-campus. Other methods include constant communication on relevant topics. These are just a few examples of the ways in which our program assists students during the Academic Year.
How long is the OCU UB Summer Academy
The OCU UB Summer Academy lasts 6 weeks (generally the last week of May through the first week of July).
Does it cost anything to attend Summer Academy?
No--all costs of participating in the Summer Academy are fully covered by the OCU UB Program.
The only cost that OCU UB participants and family members need to concern themselves with is the cost of travel to and from Oakland City. Still, some OCU UB partner schools provide transportation for their students, and the OCU UB Program may be able to assist with transportation in certain cases (contact the OCU UB Staff for details).
Furthermore, students receive a stipend throughout their time in the Summer Academy. Such funds will assist students with miscellaneous expenses like laundry, off-campus dining, souvenirs, etc.
The only cost that OCU UB participants and family members need to concern themselves with is the cost of travel to and from Oakland City. Still, some OCU UB partner schools provide transportation for their students, and the OCU UB Program may be able to assist with transportation in certain cases (contact the OCU UB Staff for details).
Furthermore, students receive a stipend throughout their time in the Summer Academy. Such funds will assist students with miscellaneous expenses like laundry, off-campus dining, souvenirs, etc.
What does Summer Academy Entail
The OCU UB Summer Academy is filled to the brim with academic and recreational activities, and it is designed to give students their first experience of what it is like to live like a college student. OCU UB students live in a residence hall on campus, eat in the campus dining hall, and although they are supervised carefully throughout the entire program. They experience a great deal of independence and personal accountability.
Students are enrolled in rigorous classes from Monday through Friday each week.
There will also be opportunities for us to celebrate our hard work through recreational activities and culturally empowering events.
In short: the OCU UB Summer Academy is a college preparatory experience unlike any other, with an emphasis on personal empowerment and communal support.
Students are enrolled in rigorous classes from Monday through Friday each week.
There will also be opportunities for us to celebrate our hard work through recreational activities and culturally empowering events.
In short: the OCU UB Summer Academy is a college preparatory experience unlike any other, with an emphasis on personal empowerment and communal support.