Upward Bound / ConnCAP

The Upward Bound/ConnCAP Program at UConn has been serving Connecticut students since 1967. The program is designed to make educational opportunities available to eligible high school students from target high schools in following areas:

Hartford
Bulkeley High School
Hartford Public High School
Weaver High School

New Haven
Hillhouse High School
Wilbur Cross High School

Windham 
Windham High School

To apply: Students from target high schools must submit a completed application on or before the February 14th (Valentine’s Day) deadline. We recruit 9th grade students who meet the following criteria: 1. The student is of the first-generation in the family to potentially attend college;   AND/OR 2. The student meets the federal low-income income guidelines; AND 3. The student has the potential to attend college, but has academic need.  

Once the application is received and processed, we will contact applicants for a personal interview. Admitted students and their parents will be invited to an orientation at UConn, Storrs.

Students attend summer residential programs following their ninth, tenth and eleventh grades in school. The Summer Component offers challenging designed to advance students’ skills and knowledge primarily in English (literature and composition for 10th-12th grade levels); mathematics (algebra I & II, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus and trigonometry); science (biology, chemistry, and physics with laboratory hands-on opportunities); and foreign languages. Students are also required to take an appropriate preparatory course: Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) and Study Skills for sophomores; SAT preparation for juniors; college preparation for seniors. Each student receives a syllabus stipulating expectations, assignments, and requirements. Tutor/Counselors are assigned to classes according to their academic backgrounds and interests. During the summer students also participate in sports, field trips, college tours, and many extracurricular activities.

Senior students have the opportunity to participate in work-study opportunities on campus to gain valuable experience in a higher education working environment and to take a college-credits course.

The Academic Year Component of the program seeks to provide students with academic enrichment seminars, student development and counseling services, as well as cultural activities and field trips.  An Advisor will meet with students once a week to monitor academic progress and provide guidance in career, personal and recreational activities. Students attend weekly team meetings coordinated by the Program Advisors. 

These team-meetings allow the Advisors to provide seminars and supplemental instruction to strengthen academic skills and study habits.  The team-meetings allow the program staff to address academic and supplemental instruction needs of the students. Also, students regularly attend Saturday Academic Days where they receive follow up instruction in mathematics, English, science, and standardized test preparation. The Saturday Academic Days take place at one of the University’s campuses or at a centralized location. During the academic year component the program offers the following services:

• weekly meetings and monitoring
• tutoring services, instruction, and academic monitoring
• academic and career advising
• enrichment workshops and CAPT preparation
• In-state and out-of-state college trips
• cultural field trips
• college process and financial aid assistance
• parental/guardian involvement and information sessions

All activities and programming are designed to accomplish two primary goals: a) to promote motivation and accomplishment that leads each Upward Bound/ConnCAP Program participant to successful high school completion and b) to ensure the attainment of academic skills necessary for college placement and graduation.

After high school graduation the program also provides limited follow up services to alumni. Graduates are also encouraged to be active members of the UB Alumni Association, which holds monthly meetings and seminars. For additional information about the UB Alumni Association please see the attached description or visit us in Facebook @ The Official University of Connecticut Upward Bound Alumni Association.

Upward Bound 2009 Application
Upward Bound 2009 Guidance Letter
Questions and Answers about UConn Upward Bound
Upward Bound Newsletter (Fall 2007)
Upward Bound Newsletter (Spring 2007)
Upward Bound Newsletter (Fall 2006)