Bus Tours Help Connect Students with Colleges
Many of our students are not sure whether college is a right fit for them. Those who do want to go to college are not always sure a college will meet their needs. GEAR UP College bus tours give students the chance to explore college options and college fit.
GEAR UP 11th grade students from Granite School District toured Weber State, Utah State, Boise State, and the College of Southern Idaho last fall.
Students connected with others and leaned that they were all trying to figure college out.
Many of the schools offered Spanish-speaking tour guides and support programs for these students.
Students learned something new about themselves or about a school to help them in the future.
GEAR UP offers campus bus tours throughout the school year, usually over fall or spring break and during the summer. This past fall, 31 students from Grant Four in the Granite School District visited four campuses on a Northern Bus Tour: Utah State University, College of Southern Idaho, Boise State University, and Weber State University. The tour was led by FOCUS Training, along with Alexia Jensen and Laura Guevara, site coordinators from Taylorsville High School.
All the colleges offered support services for First Generation students, financial aid information, diversity centers, and clubs. Campus layout, student population, tuition and other expenses, and program offerings gave each school its own feel. "The reason I like these trips is because I like seeing what is offered to me,” said Billy Caulkins, Kearns High School, Class of 2024. “I can compare different schools and see which programs are best for me."
Students learned what college fit meant to them, and how to figure out their own educational needs with the help of Focus Training. This approach resonated with Mohamed Bakar, Taylorsville High School student in the class of 2024. “I thought going to college was stupid,” said Bakar. “I thought I could learn what I needed to learn in life by working with my dad. Then we toured Utah State, and I have never wanted to go to a school so bad in my life. My grades are bad, I won't lie. But my GEAR UP site coordinators tell me that they can work with me and even if I have to go to community college for a little bit first. I am coming to USU. I want this."
Sophie Calvimonte, another Taylorsville High student, learned that she was not ready for a large university. She found that Utah State, Boise State, and Weber State universities were too full of people. She preferred the feel of the College of Southern Idaho, and is now excited to explore smaller schools like Snow College in Utah.
Language can seem like a barrier to education. Organizers worked to accommodate the Spanish-speaking students on this tour. Most of the schools offered Spanish-speaking tour guides. Weber State University had the most impact by talking about resources and program they have to help these students succeed. Two of the students said that they would work towards attending Weber State since they felt comfortable there.
“I have gotten to know people I never would have met before, kids from other schools that I have really come to like,” said Leilani Kofe, Cyprus High School, class of 2024. “I love that I get an opportunity to get outside my comfort zone and meet other kids like me who are trying to figure this out."
There was not a single student who was not influenced by this tour. Each student learned something new about themselves or about a school to help them in the future. The Focus Training team created an inclusive environment. They helped students learn what they want and need to do to get to the college of their choice, all while having fun.