What is Upward Bound?
Upward Bound is a federally funded Trio program that allows students to succeed in high school and prepare for college. The program has been at Wilkes University since 1967.
Upward Bound’s mission is to provide a framework for success in college through individualized services for first-generation college students in Luzerne County who have financial needs.
Upward Bound’s vision is to be Wilkes University’s prominent face of pre-college success. Also to formulate and establish innovative partnerships in the community.
How does Upward Bound help students?
Upward Bound helps students to select and apply to colleges or universities. They also provide tutoring and special instructions in a student’s core classes. They provide free career and financial advising, workplace and college visits, assistance in applying for financial aid, and academic assistance in school or college situations.
How are you eligible?
For a student to be eligible for Upward Bound they must meet all of the following requirements:
They must show enthusiasm towards learning.
Be in 10th grade in high school.
Must live in the Luzern County.
Meet certain academic and economic criteria set by the US Department of Education.
How do you apply?
A student interested in Upward Bound can apply by asking their school counselor for an application or contacting the Wilkes University Upward Bound program.
How does the academic part work during the school year?
Students come to campus on Thursday evenings from 6:00-8:20 for two evening classes. They also have the opportunity to receive guidance and counseling services. The courses selected for students are based on their academic schedule at their home school. During this time students also explore career goals and form college plans. Wilkes University also has an ongoing tutoring program at no cost to the students. The tutoring takes place in Conyngham Hall on the first floor. Monday – Thursday from 3-6 p.m.
What do students do during the summer program?
The summer residential program is a six-week period where students come to Wilkes University and live on campus to experience college life. The students live in a hall supervised by Upward Bound staff and attend a full day of classes and activities. This six-week period gives students a chance to grow socially, academically, and personally by providing many opportunities such as:
Career exploration.
Academic classes.
Tutoring.
Personal development.
Inforamtion about college.
Financial aid information.
Academic advising.
SAT preparation.
What is the summer bridge program?
The summer bridge program is a five-week, full-scale residential component with housing that follows Wilkes University’s first summer session schedule. The program is offered to Upward Bound students following their senior year. Each student is enrolled in two college classes for credit. The importance of this component is for students to participate in classes as university students while getting support from Upward Bound. The summer bridge program has limited enrollment.
GNA Student’s experiences with Upward Bound:
Name: Breanna Sherrill (Junior)
Why did you join Upward Bound?
I joined Upward Bound because I had heard about it from someone who did it before me and it sounded really fun and I knew that it would look good on my college application.
How has Upward Bound helped you?
It has helped me by giving me the experience for college and it prepared me for classes the next year so I had a better understanding of that class.
How would you describe your experience in the summer program?
I would describe my experience as really fun, we did a lot of awesome things the classes were pretty easy and the teachers were always willing to help.
Would you recommend the program to others, why or why not?
I would recommend it to others it was really fun you get to meet new people the classes really did help me and I think that anyone who wants to go should it’s worth it.
What is the best memory from your time in the program?
My best memory is meeting new people meeting new friends and how it’s an amazing time with some of the best people and possibly sharing the answers for classes.
Name: Taylor Kreitzer (Junior)
Why did you join Upward Bound?
I joined Upward Bound because I thought it could be a cool experience and so I can understand how college works.
How has Upward Bound helped you?
I think Upward Bound has helped me, especially with deciding careers and colleges.
How would you describe your experience in the summer program?
I would describe it as good. I think it was good because everyone was so friendly and nice. I definitely learned more about myself as well.
Would you recommend the program to others, why or why not?
Yes! I would definitely recommend it. You can learn more about yourself and if you’re stuck on what to do in the future, Upward Bound helps.
What is the best memory from your time in the program?
My best memory at Upward Bound was the summer, especially when we played fun games during the activity period.
Name: Damian Fox (Senior)
Why did you join Upward Bound?
I joined for the college experience.
How has Upward Bound helped you?
By joining Upward Bound I received more knowledge about college.
How would you describe your experience in the summer program?
My time at the summer program was the best time of my life.
Would you recommend the program to others, why or why not?
Yes, I recommend Upward Bound to others because it prepares you for college and it’s a great experience.
What is the best memory from your time in the program?
When we went to Jim Thorpe it rained a lot.
Name: Robert A. Miller (Junior)
Why did you join Upward Bound?
To put it as simply as I possibly can, I decided to join Upward Bound for all of the given benefits. This includes being more experienced for college, learning new things that I didn’t know prior, and giving me overall better educational opportunities. Additionally, I would say a major contribution to my decision to join was the summer program. It not only had very cool field trips, but it also had summer classes that gave me a good education over my summer break from school.
How has Upward Bound helped you?
I would say that Upward Bound has helped me in two major ways: it has helped my education all across the board, and it has helped me better understand who I am as a person.
How would you describe your experience in the summer program?
There’s nothing that I can say about the summer program that isn’t positive, as my experience during the summer program was amazing. The rooms they provided were great, the people (both RAs and fellow students) in the program that you got to know over the course of the month were amazing, and the trips and activities that you get to participate in are just so vividly memorable. Personally, the summer program pushed me further academically in so many ways and gave me experiences that I had never had before in my entire life. So, overall, the experience is something that you’ll never forget.
Would you recommend the program to others, why or why not?
Yes, I would say that I mostly agree to recommend this program to others. This is because of the opportunities that it grants for the future of those who participate in this program. With that being said, I wouldn’t recommend this program to those who aren’t really focused on going to college and are currently going to a career school (like tech). Other than that, heck yeah, I would definitely recommend this program to others.
What is the best memory from your time in the program?
As sad as this may seem, the best memory was the last couple of days of the summer program. I wasn’t happy because it was almost over, but rather happy because of the whole journey I took to get to that point. I’ve made so many great memories during the summer program, and I became a friend to literally every single person at the summer program. There was one girl in particular that I became great friends with, and I will never forget those final days with my friends and her.
Oh yeah, and I loved the book I was able to buy during the summer program. It was Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief, and I will never forget reading it during the summer program in my free time.
Name: Hunter Vitkauskas (Junior)
Why did you join Upward Bound?
I joined Upward Bound because I wanted to get some pre-college prep and meet new people.
How has Upward Bound helped you?
It has helped me become more independent in school and in general life. It also helped me a lot socially, and I love all of the friends I made there.
How would you describe your experience in the summer program?
I would describe it as fun, thrilling, and challenging. It is such a different environment compared to regular school that it’s almost a roller coaster the whole time
Would you recommend the program to others, why or why not?
Yes, I would recommend the program because it gives you so much for free and the connections and experiences are unlike anything you would ever imagine.
What is the best memory from your time in the program?
Probably when I had people running to the bathroom because they were laughing so hard.
