COVID-19 & UPDATES TO UT OUTREACH RGV SERVICES
UT Austin has made modifications to help slow the spread of COVID-19 through the rest of the spring semester.
UT Outreach RGV will continue to provide college readiness services to our students at all of our campuses in McAllen, Mission, and PSJA school districts. Throughout this time, our services will be delivered over the phone, by email, text, and online Zoom meetings. UT Outreach staff has designed a schedule for our students about how we are modifying services. The list may change in the future as the situation evolves.
Mondays and Wednesdays are for one on one appointments with UT Outreach staff over the phone.
To make an appointment with Steve Chapa, Director, use the Calendly link below and follow instructions to set up an appointment.
https://calendly.com/utoutreach-schapa
To make an appointment with Mayra G. Barrios, UT Outreach counselor, use the Calendly link below and follow instructions to set up an appointment.
https://calendly.com/mbarrios-4
Tuesdays and Thursdays will consist of online Zoom student meetings and workshops. Ms. Mayra G. Barrios will conduct 9th and 10th grade student meetings while Steve Chapa will conduct 11th and 12th. Fridays are professional development/staff days where UT Outreach staff will meet with all UT Outreach centers, Valley Admissions staff, and with UT Outreach administrators.
Regular business hours (M-F, 8-5) will be upheld at this time. Students seeking UT Outreach services beyond 5:00 pm must contact UT Outreach staff to make arrangements at:
Steve Chapa, Director, steve.chapa@austin.utexas.edu
Mayra G. Barrios, Outreach counselor, mbarrios@austin.utexas.edu
UT Outreach – Rio Grande Valley targets and serves underrepresented students by providing college readiness enrichment designed to assist them in graduation from high school and matriculating to institutions of higher education, including The University of Texas at Austin.
The program’s goals are two-fold:
- to increase the number of high school students enrolling in college and
- to encourage and support admissible students to apply and matriculate to UT Austin.
Research shows that engaging in positive pre-college experiences improves a student’s belief that college is possible. UT Outreach strives to make that belief a reality.
About
Mission
UT Outreach – Rio Grande Valley targets and serves underrepresented students by providing college readiness enrichment designed to assist them in graduation from high school and matriculating to institutions of higher education, including The University of Texas at Austin.
We Strive to Create a College-Going Culture!
History
UT Outreach – Rio Grande Valley (RGV) was established in 1987 and has a long tradition of assisting students who may be first in their families to attend college. The program provides pre-college preparation and academic advising to increase the college going rates for high-achieving, low-income and educationally underserved students.
UT Outreach – RGV is a part of the University of Texas at Austin’s Longhorn Center for School Partnerships through the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. The program provides individual and group assistance to over 500 students. To date, UT Outreach has served thousands of students who wish to become college-bound.
Staff members are professionally trained to provide a pre-college curriculum that educates a student on the types of postsecondary institutions available and the means to pay for college. Staff members understand that students are interested in learning about admission requirements, financial aid, college culture, and the preparation necessary to be a successful college student.
UT Outreach – Rio Grande Valley is here to help! UT Outreach students are encouraged to take active steps to be successful academically and to ultimately enroll at UT Austin or the college of their choice.
Target School Districts:
Programs
UT Outreach provides participating students an opportunity to take advantage of learning about various college preparatory topics including through various in-school meetings/workshops throughout the course of the academic school year:
- Study Skills
- Time Management
- Essay Development
- SAT or ACT Prep
- Resumé Development
- Choosing a Major
- Types of Student Financial Aid
- Apply Texas Common Admission Application (Online)
- FAFSA Application (Online)
- Dual Credit & AP Courses: Pros & Cons
- Understanding Your Financial Aid Package
Academic Advising
Recognizing that there is a difference between being college eligible and competitive for selective college, UT Outreach provides services to students committed to working hard in high school, enrolling in rigorous classes and taking active steps to prepare for admission to a college of their choice including UT Austin. All UT Outreach students receive individual counseling on course selection, tips on maintaining a high GPA, college housing options, etc. that is individually tailored to the secondary institution that they will be attending or want to attend, including the University of Texas at Austin.
Summer Enrichment Academies
UT Outreach also provides helpful summer sessions where students join us to discover and enhance skills for college readiness while having tons of summer fun! During these sessions they are given the opportunity to:
- Meet new people
- Learn more about Colleges.
- Explore their futures.
- Listen to engaging guest speakers.
- Have a great time!
Parent Engagement Workshops / Presentations
- Preparing Your Teen for College (9th -12th grade)
- All parent sessions will be conducted in English and Spanish if possible
Resources
Click on the link for a collection/list of scholarships you can and should apply to! Check it out and get working on the applications! Scholarship List
Click on the link for a collection of resources/scholarships that do not require a SSN or a permanent resident/citizen status, especially pertinent for undocumented students. Check it out and spread the word! Resources for Undocumented Students
APPLY NOW:
Plan
Serve
Upcoming SAT & ACT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines
ACT- http://www.act.org/content/act/en/students-and-parents.html
SAT- https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/dates-deadlines
*Fee waivers available, contact your school counselor