Eligibility & Recruitment

Join LMU Upward Bound Programs!

Thinking about college? So much information, but you don't know where to begin? We understand and that's why we are here to help!

Think help might be too expensive? Look no further! All Upward Bound services are FREE of cost to all UB & UBMS participants.

Apply today to join in on our advising, summer sessions, college field trips and so much more!

Who Does Upward Bound Serve?

LMU Upward Bound programs (UB & UBMS) serve 9th - 12th-grade students who attend Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets (WESM) and Inglewood High school, who come from low-income families in which neither parent has earned a bachelor's degree.

Services

Services provided include, but are not limited to:

• Weekly academic advising and tutoring at *WESM.
• SAT/ACT prep and assistance with the college and financial aid application process.
• Local college *visits and Spring Break tour (for eligible juniors) of Northern California colleges/universities.
• Social, cultural, and leadership enrichment activities and community service.
• Required monthly Academy sessions at *LMU during the academic year.
• Required six-week summer program at *LMU (two weeks of commuting each day and four weeks living on the LMU campus) including paid internships for eligible seniors.

*Currently, due to COVID-19 some of our events are subject to hybrid, virtual or in person.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for LMU Upward Bound programs interested students must:

• Attend WESM
• Be in the 9th, 10th or 11th grade
• Have an academic need and want to go to college
• Meet low-income family guidelines and be potential first-generation college students
  • Two-thirds of our students must be both first-generation or low-income.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident 
• Submit an online application 

Since we are a federally-funded program, we are subject to audits to ensure that we meet all requirements in our grant. In the event of an audit, we must be able to provide proof that our program participants meet the above eligibility requirements. Therefore, copies of the student birth certificate and Social Security Card are required for a complete application.

Apply

1. Submit Online Application
   • Have the following ready:
     • Short Responses 
       • What are your favorite school subjects and why?
       • What are your least favorite school subjects and why?
       • Teacher Recommendation email 
     • Essay questions to respond to (250 minimum word count)
       • REQUIRED: Your purpose in applying to the LMU Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math & Science Programs - what you need, what you believe you will gain from the experience and the contributions you can make to the program.
     • Select one of the following essay prompts to respond to:
       • Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
       • Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
2. Submit proof of Eligibility
   1. Student Birth Certificate
   2. Social Security Card
   3. 2021 Tax Return with student listed 
3.  Interview
   1. Eligible  students, along with one parent/guardian, will be invited for a mandatory interview.
4. Admission Decision
   1. Admitted students and parents/guardians will be notified via the e-mail listed on the application.
   2. *Admission decisions are contingent on Fall grades
5. Once Admitted, the student MUST attend orientation with a parent/guardian.
6. Students must participate in the six-week Summer Program

If you have additional questions please email us at lmuububms@lmu.edu.