Division of Campus and Community Engagement
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UT Youth Engagement Center San Antonio

Youth Engagement Center students

 

UT Youth Engagement Center San Antonio is a precollege program in the Division of Campus and Community Engagement at The University of Texas at Austin. Its mission is to foster a college-going culture by providing college awareness & academic readiness skills to eligible 9th-12th grade students who attend Title One high schools. The program’s goals are two-fold:

  1. to increase the number of high school students enrolling in college and
  2. 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 Youth Engagement Center strives to make that belief a reality.

We Strive to Create a College -Going Culture!

From SAT/ACT prep, scholarships and college applications, we’ve got it all right here.

Overview

Mission

Through sustained, formal educational partnerships, UT Youth Engagement Center San Antonio develops and implements academic enrichment strategies and pre-college services that are grounded in research. The program strives to increase the college going rates of students in the schools it serves and to be a model program for pre-college efforts in San Antonio.

High schools served:

SAISD                        Harlandale ISD
Brackenridge              Harlandale
Edison                        STEM Early College High School
Highlands
Lanier

We could not survive without the generous support of our sponsors. Make a contribution to UT Youth Engagement Center San Antonio.

History

UT Youth Engagement Center San Antonio 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 Youth Engagement Center San Antonio is a part of the University of Texas at Austin’s Division of Campus and Community Engagement. The program provides individual and group assistance to over 500 students. To date, Youth Engagement Center 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 Youth Engagement Center San Antonio is here to help! Youth Engagement Center students are encouraged to take active steps to be successful academically and to ultimately enroll at UT Austin or the college of their choice.

Related links

UT Youth Engagement Center provides participating students an opportunity to take advantage of learning about various college preparatory topics including:

  • Study Skills
  • Time Management
  • Essay Development
  • SAT or ACT Prep
  • Resumé Development
  • Learning the Four Systems of Higher Education
  • 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

Programs

Academic programs partnering with UT Youth Engagement Center San Antonio at participating high schools.

Academic Advising

Recognizing that there is a difference between being college eligible and competitive for selective college, Youth Engagement Center provides services to students committed to working hard in high school, enrolling in rigorous classes and taking active steps to prepare for admission to UT Austin or another college of their choice. All Youth Engagement Center students receive individual counseling on course selection and tips on maintaining a high GPA.

Parent Engagement Workshops*

  • Youth Engagement Center Overview & Icebreaker
  • Systems of Higher Education
  • Financial Aid 101

*All parent sessions will be conducted in English and Spanish if possible.

Student Workshops*

We provide:

  • Group & Individual Advising Sessions
  • Academic Enrichment Workshops
  • College Campus Visit  (selected students)
  • Essay Writing
  •  SAT Prep Sessions
  • Summer Enrichment Academy (selected students)
  • Campus Visitations to UT Austin
  • Youth Engagement Center Graduation Celebration

*Our workshops are contingent on monthly access to Youth Engagement Center San Antonio Scholars during school and/or selected evenings or weekends. We work closely with the schools and school districts to provide a schedule conducive to the maintaining high student attendance and limited classroom disruptions.

Donate

Through the support of alumni and friends of the university, UT Youth Engagement Center San Antonio is able to provide additional programs and services that we would not otherwise be able to fund for some of the most needy students in San Antonio.

Click here to make a contribution.