Each year, CAP has the opportunity to work with a number of incredible students who show exceptional dedication to realizing their college dreams. They attend our drop-in after school programs on a regular basis. When they can’t stop by, they email us. They seek answers on their own and ask brilliant questions when those answers prove elusive. These students become the Top.

This year, thanks to the growth of our programs into three high schools, we have 100 Top Students. Impressive, right? We think so. 100 seniors — despite homecoming and prom and graduation and myriad other distractions — chose to spend hours and hours of their precious time preparing for college. Our programs have no requirements; students can attend as much or as little as they choose. These students chose to become a meaningful and constant part of the CAP family, and we can’t wait to celebrate their future successes as we follow their progress through college and beyond.

Where They’re Headed

(List is still being updated, so check back for the most recent news!)

Blair High School Top 26:

Peter A.
Karina A.
Noah A. – California State University Northridge
Julian B.
Aniesha C.
Hugo E.
Miriam G. – University of California, Los Angeles
Justen H. – San Diego State University
Nigel H. – University of California, Riverside
George J. – San Diego State University
Irene K. – Clark Atlanta University
Sam L. – University of California, Santa Barbara
Elijah M. – California State University Northridge
Valeria M.
Nancy M. – California State University Northridge
Sandra M. – California State University Los Angeles
Michelle M.
Kayla M.
P.J. P. – University of California, Santa Barbara
Juan S.
Rebecca S. – Humboldt State University
Luz T. – California State University Northridge
Angelica V. – Smith College
De-Rick V. – California State University Los Angeles
Francesca Mia V. – University of California, Santa Cruz
Katelynn W.

John Muir High School Top 38

Eden A. – Pasadena City College
Martin A. – California State University Northridge
Luis B. – California State University Los Angeles
Jorge C. – California State University Northridge
Raul C. – La Sierra University
Rene C. – Universal Technical Institute
Erendida C. – Pasadena City College
Marisa D. – University of California, Los Angeles
Rogelio F. – University of California Santa Cruz
Gabriel G. – California Polytechnic University Pomona
Erick G. – Pasadena City College
Paola H.
Jaleyah L. – University of California Santa Cruz
Shamiyah L. – California State University Monterey Bay
Deaja L. – University of Maryland, College Park
Celeste L. – Sacramento State University
Gabriela L. – Pasadena City College
Citlali M. – California State University Northridge
Randy M. – California State University Northridge
Fabiola M. – Pasadena City College
Kelly M. – California State University Northridge
Hector M. – California State University Los Angeles
Stephanie N. – San Francisco State University
Tyler P. – University of California, Irvine
Luis R. – Pasadena City College
Ana R. – Monterey Peninsula College
Jeremy R. – California State University Los Angeles
Diana R. – University of California Santa Cruz
Elcin R. – Pasadena City College
Denzel S. – California State University Monterey Bay
Maiya S. – California Polytechnic University Pomona
Dean T. – California State University Northridge
Gustavo V. – California State University Northridge
Melaysha W. – Fresno State University
Renae’ W. – Arizona State University
Allyson W. – San Francisco State University
Justine Y. – University of La Verne
Teresa Z.

Pasadena High School Top 36

Nathan A. – California Polytechnic University Pomona
Mary B.
Andrew B. – Pasadena City College
Amanda B. – University of California, Santa Barbara
Edgar B. – San Jose State University
Omar B. – California Polytechnic University Pomona
Kevin C. – University of California, Irvine
Pablo C. – University of California, Davis
Joaquin – California State University Channel Islands
Lucas C. – University of California, Santa Cruz
Dar’Tanyan E. – San Jose State University
Daniela G. – California Polytechnic University Pomona
Sadie G. – Chapman University
Ivett G. – Mount San Antonio College
Peter G.
Maria G. – Pasadena City College
Natalie H. – California State University Northridge
Stephanie H. – California State University Northridge
Mariah H. – New York University
Lakeisha J. – California State University Long Beach
Jonathan J. – University of California, Santa Barbara
Virginia L.
Courtney L. – University of California, Riverside
Ernesto N. – Oregon State University
Amy O. – University of Wisconsin-Madison
Yejin P. – Mills College
Marlene P. – California State University Los Angeles
Diana R.
Matthew S. – University of California, Santa Cruz
Nina S.
Trinity S. – St. John’s University
Jessica S. – California State University Northridge
Claire T.
Xenia V. – Pasadena City College
Jada W. – California State University East Bay
Avo Y. – California Polytechnic University Pomona

CAP is proud to be recruiting a new Outreach VISTA! This person will provide CAP fundamental support as we build relationships with new colleges and organizations that can provide unique opportunities for our awesome students. If you don’t know about the Americorps and the VISTA program, you can learn more here.

This is a FULL-TME national service position.

Service Description

College Access Plan’s (CAP) programs deliver holistic and personalized college readiness support to low-income and first generation college-going students, buttressing the activities of over-taxed and under-funded high schools by providing ongoing one-to-one college advisement and small group workshops on campus and at local organizations.

CAP’s primary project goals for this three-year Educational Program focused on college access and readiness are to 1) expand successful college readiness programs to four public high schools and to gain new community organization partners; 2) expand college readiness services to multiple middle schools and build program to provide “though college” support to CAP alumni; 3) build a sustainable, goal-oriented, and community-based volunteer program and develop human and monetary capital from local sources; and 4) increase the four-year college going rate by 10% and the overall college-going rate by 5% in our community in order to reduce poverty.

Summary of Position

The Outreach and Expansion VISTA will build on the current social networking and marketing components to promote CAP’s programs. He or she will also develop strategic relationships with colleges and universities in order to best support CAP alumni through college graduation. Working with partnering public schools, colleges, and nonprofit organizations, CAP’s VISTA will help to build on current relationships to identify needs-based practices in developing a sixth grade through college pipeline of support for the students of Pasadena.

Responsibilities of Outreach and Expansion VISTA:

• Develop interactive online tools for student use on CAP’s website and Facebook page
• Communication and relationship building with new program partners, college representatives, and community stakeholders
• Identify clear “through college” resources for students at various colleges
• Finalize development of a clear alumni tracking and support plan
• Manage and track partnerships and provide measurable outcomes;
• Provide records or written reports as required for grant compliance, and maintain proper records;
• Leverage community resources to solicit in-kind contributions of goods and services;
• Seek funding opportunities for programs as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required (minimum), preferably in the areas of in education, counseling, social work, public administration, communications or related field
• Experience working with youth, ages 12-22
• Knowledge of postsecondary education options, application procedures and admission requirements
• Strong and demonstrated writing abilities
• Strong face-to-face and telephone interpersonal skills
• Willingness to build relationships via networking and cold-calling
• Data management and evaluation knowledge
• Ability to complete specific outcomes on a timeline
• Working knowledge of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter
• Experience with basic operating systems and office software
• Well-developed organizational skills with a solid orientation to detail
• Creative, self-motivated, and outcomes-oriented
• Excellent research skills
• Must have own transportation
• Must complete background check through the Corporation for National and Community Service and a pre-service training
• Must complete Pasadena Unified School District background check, including Department of Justice clearance and TB test

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Spanish reading and speaking
• Experience with curriculum design
• Experience with database and/or design software (SalesForce, Photoshop, etc.)
• Experience working in disadvantaged population

Training Provided: On-the-job and pre-service training will be provided.

Salary, Benefits, and Americorps VISTA Details: Each VISTA will receive a $15,996 year/$615 biweekly living allowance, healthcare benefits, $550 Relocation stipend (if eligible), childcare assistance (if eligible), and a $5,550 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or $1,500 cash post-service stipend following successful completion of service, and more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Access Plan Receives Two Local Grants in Support of Growing Programs

Pasadena, CA – April 22, 2013 – College Access Plan (CAP), a Pasadena nonprofit organization, has received two $10,000 grants from prestigious Pasadena foundations: The Pasadena Community Foundation and Student Philanthropists Advancing Real Change (SPARC) (formerly the Pasadena Independent Schools Foundation).

The grant from The Pasadena Community Foundation, which is celebrating 60 years of working to “improve the lives of people in the greater Pasadena area” (http://www.pasadenacf.org/about_mission.aspx), is one of four awarded through this year’s Education Grants Initiative. This grant will support the addition of a new CAP staff member who will oversee programs at five PUSD schools next fall, including all four major high schools and Washington Middle School. The SPARC grant is in support of one-to-one college advisement and small group workshops provided by CAP to the students of John Muir High School. CAP’s relationship with Muir spans six years, and programs at this school have reached hundreds of students, including about 50% of the past four graduating classes.

“These local grants are fundamental to our plan to grow CAP’s reach in Pasadena over the next few years,” states Mo Hyman, CAP’s Executive Director. “We have plans to increase the breadth and depth of our services to PUSD students and graduates, but this will simply not be possible without the investment of local foundations, businesses, and individuals.”

This school year, CAP has provided individualized programs to nearly 500 students at four schools in the district. It is hope that with the generous support of these two institutions, CAP will expand its reach over the coming years to provide holistic, drop-in, individualized college readiness support to all Pasadena Unified high school and middle school students who wish to receive it. CAP’s programs assist students in completing college applications, provide SAT test prep, help students to navigate the complex college-selection process, assist students in identifying scholarships and other financial aid, guide students in writing effective personal statements, help students to build effective study and goal-setting skills and long-range plans, and more.

The college acceptances have been rolling in…and we’re just trying to keep up. Here’s an (ever-growing and evolving) list of schools that have offered our talented students admission. Stay tuned to learn where CAP’s awesome students choose to go to college next fall!

Alabama A&M
American University
Arizona State University
Azusa Pacific University
Cal Poly Pomona
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Cal State Channel Islands
Cal State Chico
Cal State Dominguez Hills
Cal State East Bay
Cal State Fresno
Cal State Fullerton
Cal State Long Beach
Cal State Los Angeles
Cal State Monterey Bay
Cal State Northridge
Cal State San Bernardino
Cal State San Marcos
Clark Atlanta University
Drexel University
Evergreen State University
Humboldt State University
Iowa State University
Loyola Marymount University
Mills College
New York University
Oregon State University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Sacramento State
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
San Jose State University
Smith College
Sonoma State University
St. John’s University
Syracuse University
Tuskegee University
UC Davis
UC Irvine
UC Merced
UC Riverside
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Cruz
UCLA
University of La Verne
University of Wisconsin
University of Southern California
Western Oregon University
Seattle University

At CAP, we’ve been celebrating a lot of college acceptances. And soon we’ll post a list of all those colleges our awesome students have been accepted to. And THEN we’ll announce we’re they’re all going to attend next fall. It’s super exciting.

But each of those students also had to handle some rejection. Some of them weren’t accepted by schools they thought they’d get into; some of them were rejected from their dream schools. Some of them now have to make a new plan. It can be hard to be all cheerleader-y about rejection sometimes.

But there are reasons and ways to cheer even in tough moments. Here are a few of them.

1. Take time to grieve. We get it. Rejection is always hard. So go through the process in style. Get yourself a treat (like ice cream or French fries or those frighteningly bright red Cheetos students love so much), listen to your favorite music, and take your time to move through the bad feelings.

Then see if you can move past the rejection and understand that going to college — any college — is a huge accomplishment that deserves celebration. The most important thing is not to compare yourself to your classmates or your older siblings or anyone else. You can make yourself crazy thinking of all the people you know, their SAT scores and grades, where your cousin goes to college, and whatever else. The truth is, few colleges accept students based solely upon numbers, and every year is completely different. You’re a unique person, and other students are, too. You all declare different majors and have different interests and different paths to follow. You don’t want colleges to just look at you as a number, so don’t do it to other people. Congratulate your classmates on their achievements, and try to move forward.

2. Appreciate the process. Applying to college is a huge step towards adulthood. Some students feel like all the hard work of applications and personal statements and letters of recommendation was a waste if they don’t get accepted to their dream schools; however, all this hard work is actually preparation for college and beyond. You need to be able to write about yourself effectively, to articulate your strengths and weaknesses, to realize your own accomplishments as unique and meaningful. You need to know how to ask for help and to ask other people to advocate for you. This is not an empty process with only one outcome. These are tools you can take with you to college, wherever you end up going.

3. Clear your mind and check your options. Grieving is good for you, but wallowing is not. Don’t forget about the schools you did get accepted to. Take the opportunity to get to know them better. Maybe they like you so much because you’re a good fit for their school. Every school — state schools and community colleges and private colleges — has unique classes and clubs and opportunities. Get to know your options a little better. You may find that a school suits you much better than you thought it would.

4. Come to CAP and finish the Plan. There’s still work to do, so let’s get moving. Visit CAP on your campus, look closely at your financial aid packages (they can be so confusing!), file your intent to register and pay your fees (most schools require these by May 1st), take your placement tests, sign up for orientation, and get ready to be a college student. After all, that’s what this whole process has been about, right?

CAP’s Spring Fever! Wine Event, held at Fatty’s and Co. in Eagle Rock for the second year in a row, was a total blast and raised $3,000 in support of CAP’s programs. Attendees enjoyed wine, Fatty’s snacks, awesome giveaway prizes and wonderful conversation with other CAP staff and board, volunteers, and community supporters. Looks like fun, right?

Thanks to Fatty’s for hosting our awesome event!

Look! I won!

Supporter Larry tries to get in good with CAP Treasurer Kate

What will Muir English teacher Ms. McDonald win this year?

Long time supporter Martha won a CAP water bottle!

Board member Jodi made this awesome basket for a lucky winner. Who will it be?

Hey look! Eliana won Jodi’s basket!

Supporter Zoe, Mo, and Kathleen

If you missed out, no worries. Our wine event will return next year. Plus, you can support CAP every day of the year by clicking on the Big Green Donate button at the top if this page.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pasadena, CA – February 22, 2013 – College Access Plan (CAP) (www.collegeaccessplan.org), a Pasadena nonprofit organization, and PHS LEARNS have teamed up with a The Regional Admission Counselors of California (RACC), a coalition of admission professionals who represent colleges and universities outside the state of California, to provide Pasadena High School students and parents a “flash” college fair that will run from 3:15-4:30 PM on Wednesday, February 27th in the Girls’ Gym at PHS. Students will have the opportunity to talk to representatives from a diverse range of public and private colleges, including The University of Arizona, Marist College, the Oregon State University, Lafayette College, Miami University, and many more.

Gary Bednorz, a representative from the University of New Mexico and a member RACC, helped to coordinate this event ands says, “With more than 3,000 colleges and universities outside of California, going to college out-of-state is a viable option for many California students. Out-of-state schools offer a variety of scholarships and financial assistance. Independent (formerly called Private) Colleges do not charge out-of-state tuition, and some out-of-state schools freeze the tuition for four years. It is possible for a student with a 3.0 GPA to pay in-state tuition at some out-of-state universities.” Bednorz also addresses a stark reality of attending college in California: “The California student population continues to increase. That fact coupled with the entire world wanting to come to California equates to demand for higher education far outpacing the supply here.” Mo Hyman, Executive Director of College Access Plan adds, “It’s a priority of ours to introduce students to a wide variety of college choices and to make sure they have viable post-secondary options. While most of us love California, there is literally an entire world to explore beyond our golden borders.”

CAP and LEARNS began partnering this fall to provide drop-in services to any student at PHS who desires to explore his or her four-year or two-year college options, complete applications, write college entrance essays, seek financial aid, and explore any other college readiness related activity. In only a few short months, CAP has worked with over 90 Bulldogs, mostly seniors who completed applications to four-year universities this fall. In April, CAP and LEARNS will also provide an eight-week SAT prep course for 40 eleventh graders.

CAP’s wine event is a favorite of, well, everyone. Let’s face it: good wine, good food, good people, good purpose (to support CAP, of course!) — what could be wrong with that?

Get it on your calendar now: Thursday, March 21st, 5:30-8:30 PM at Fatty’s & Co. in Eagle Rock.

(The Spring Fever! wine event is for CAP supporters who are 21 and over only.)