College Advising

Cal-SOAP's advisement component utilizes a network of College Readiness Coaches trained to provide support for school counseling personnel at targeted high schools in the San Diego and Imperial Counties. College Readiness Coaches serve as role models and work with approximately 8,000 high school students in small groups and one-on-one intensive advisement. They share personal college experiences and help students with numerous tasks, including how to complete applications for college and financial aid, a-g requirements, SAT/ACT, scholarship searches, and career exploration.

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Contact Claudia Rodriguez claudia@ucsd.edu and Anna Sorensen asorensen@sandi.net for more information about San Diego County. Contact Martha Singh m4singh@ucsd.edu and Francisco Rodriguez Martinez fgrodriguez@ucsd.edu for more information about Imperial County.

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College Fair

Cal-SOAP is involved in several College Fairs. Every October, Cal-SOAP typically hosts its own College Fair which is free to parents, students and college representatives. Numerous colleges and organizations attend and the event also offers breakout sessions on specialized topics. Cal-SOAP will sponsor a College Fair Wed, October 23, 2024 at San Diego Mesa Community College.

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Test Preparation

Cal-SOAP test preparation programs provide students with test-taking strategies and encourage students to take all their college entrance exams in a timely manner. However, with many universities adopting admissions policies that are SAT/ACT-blind or SAT/ACT-optional, Cal-SOAP is offering less test preparation due to decreasing demand.

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SAT/ACT Preparation Workshops for juniors are offered at various times throughout the year. Check the Workshops section for a list of events. Other test-prep workshops are held by request.

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Contact Karla K. Whitaker at kkwhitaker@ucsd.edu for more information.

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SWAG (Students With Academic Goals)

SWAG is a 2-week college readiness program typically held in June. It is conducted in partnership with San Diego Community College District, San Diego State University and UC San Diego. The online application is posted each January and has a priority deadline in March/April. Go to the Workshops section of our website for information and a link to the online application. SWAG 2020, 2021 and 2022 were primarily online; Summer 2023 returned to an in-person format, was hosted by San Diego City College, and included field trips to UCSD and SDSU. Summer 2024 will once again be in-person at San Diego City College and will include field trips to UCSD, SDSU, and the San Diego Zoo.

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Contact Karla K. Whitaker at kkwhitaker@ucsd.edu for more information.

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YouSeeYou Mentoring

Cal-SOAP sponsored a pilot program beginning in 2020 that paired volunteer UCSD student mentors with high school students at various schools through a virtual platform. While the program opened to additional grade levels and schools between 2020 and 2024, it has struggled to maintain enough mentors and mentees. 2023-2024 was the last year of YouSeeYou and the program is ending June 2024.   

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Contact Karla K. Whitaker at kkwhitaker@ucsd.edu for more information.

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Presentations

This program and service is provided at the request of schools, teachers, parent groups, or community organizations. Its purpose is to disseminate information to educators and students regarding higher academic achievement and post-secondary opportunities. Topics range from test preparation to college admissions essays to financial aid.

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Special Events

Cal-SOAP partners with local colleges and universities for event such as: Dare to Dream College: the African American Experience, Senior Jump Starts, HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) events, Higher Ed Week, etc.