The UW State GEAR UP educational programs offer students a unique opportunity to experience life on a college campus. The programs encourage students to succeed in high school and support them in preparing for college. GEAR UP serves students from selected school districts in Washington state.

Who Can Attend the Educational Programs?

To find out if the University of Washington State GEAR UP project serves your school or school district, check the state's Our Programs page. Students from all Washington state districts listed on this page are eligible to participate in our educational programs.

Summer Institutes

Four one-week sessions of a college immersion experience help GEAR UP students learn about preparing for college. Over 400 students will be hosted on the UW Seattle campus in 2009. While in residence on campus, students:

• Experience college residential life.
• Attend academic seminars designed and taught by UW faculty.
• Engage in career and college planning activities.
• Receive mentoring from undergraduate team leaders.
• Develop friendships with college-bound peers.
• Engage in other enrichment activities at university museums and facilities as well as other cultural sites around Seattle.

School-year Programs

Educational outreach programs further expose GEAR UP students to career choices and help them make connections between academics and professional careers. Activities may be held at the UW Seattle campus, in the greater Seattle area, or at GEAR UP schools and include:

• Hands-on learning opportunities
• Seminars on admissions and financial aid
• Mentoring
• Career and college information