February 17, 2001

Media Contact: Michael Dabney, (858) 822-3432

Seeking advice on how to prepare your kids for college? North County parents can receive essential information at a four-hour conference on Saturday, March 31 at Woodland Park Middle School, 1270 Rock Springs Road, San Marcos.

Titled "Enhancing Student Preparation for College," the free event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.., and is sponsored by the Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) of the University of California, San Diego.

The conference is designed to familiarize parents with such important college preparation steps as: applying for federal and state financial aid programs; academic tests necessary for college admission and how their children can prepare; admission requirements for University of California campuses; other higher education options in California, and careers in math and science.

Parents are also encouraged to attend with their school-age children to share information. In addition, on-site child care will be provided for children ages 5 and under, and a tutoring center will be available for children ages 6 and above.

"EAOP strives to provide college academic preparation and information to a diverse student population," says Nicole Jackson, an assistant director of EAOP and coordinator of the conference. "We find that many parents are unsure of the process involved in preparing children for college admission, and how early this process should begin. The more parents know about these steps, the more they are able to act a valuable source of encouragement and information to their children along the way."

To make reservations for attendance, please contact Jackson at (858) 822-4252 or njackson@ucsd.edu by Monday March 19. Those responding should include their name, address, phone number, the name(s) of their school-age child and school.