FAQ's
Eligibility/Requirements
Q1: What high schools does LMU Upward Bound serve?
A: Currently, LMU UB serves Westchester High School exclusively. We are funded to serve 50 students.
Q2: When does recruitment for new students take place? A: LMU UB typically recruits new freshmen (and on occasion a select number of sophomores) in the fall and holds Student and Parent Orientation in December. Once admitted, it is expected that students will remain active participants until their high school graduation.
Q3: Is there a GPA requirement for LMU Upward Bound?A: Yes, LMU UB looks for students with GPA’s of 3.0 and higher who have taken or are currently enrolled in Algebra 1.
Q4: Loyola Marymount University is a Catholic university, do I have to be Catholic to participate in LMU UB?A: No, religious affiliation is not a consideration when admitting students.
Q5: I come from a large family. Can all of my siblings be in LMU Upward Bound? A: No, only two siblings are allowed to participate at the same time. We want to provide as many families as possible the opportunity to receive project services.
Services
Q6: Is there a charge for any of the Program’s services?A: No, all services are free. Upward Bound is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Education and supplemented by contributions from LMU.
Q7: Do I have to participate in all services?A: Yes, Upward Bound is a year-round program. Students are expected to be active participants in both the Academic Year and Summer components in order to keep their spot in the program.
Q8: Am I guaranteed a spot in the summer program each year?A: No, each student must earn their spot in the following Summer Program through their active participation in UB Academic Year activities, compliance with program policies, and satisfactory progress in high school. Students are expected to attend Saturday Academy sessions each month, attend tutoring, and maintain a minimum grade point average to stay in the program. Students who are not in compliance will be placed on Academic Contract (which means they are not eligible to attend field trips or earn stipends) and risk losing their spot in LMU UB permanently.
Q9: Is transportation provided to LMU for the Saturday Academy sessions? A: No, transportation is not provided except for field trips.
Miscellaneous
Q10: Does participation in LMU UB increase my chances of getting admitted to LMU? A: No, but it does help students become more familiar with the campus and the requirements for admission to LMU and all other colleges and universities. Also, continued participation in pre-college programs like Upward Bound is a plus on all college applications.