OMA&D College Access serves over 26,000 students, 86 school districts, 179 schools and 19 two-year colleges across the state of Washington. Beginning in middle school, students find programs that inspire them to pursue higher education, prepare for college and explore careers, and gain admission to the University of Washington.* View this map for a geographical view of our reach.
College Advising Corps
A national program new to the University of Washington OMA&D in 2021. CAC empowers Washington’s youth with knowledge, tools and support in their pursuit of post-secondary education and by creating pathways to more equitable opportunities by disrupting traditional systems of access. We aid with college applications, personal statements, and financial aid, serving schools within Skagit and Yakima counties.
Educational Talent Search
A U.S. Department of Education TRiO program that serves students in 6th–12th grade in Marysville, Mount Vernon, Mt. Adams, Sedro-Woolley, Toppenish, and Wapato school districts. ETS provides college readiness activities including academic, career, and financial counseling.
GEAR UP Achievers
Serves middle and high school students in four South King County School Districts (Auburn, Kent, Renton and Tukwila) with educational and career planning, mentoring, tutoring and test preparation. Contact: Director Roslyn Kagy.
Math Science Upward Bound
A U.S. Department of Education TRiO program. This is a six-week summer program on the UW campus for qualified high school students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at Seattle’s Chief Sealth, Cleveland, Foster, or Franklin high schools. The program assists with college planning, financial aid and scholarship applications, providing career exploration workshops, field trips and cultural activities.
Multicultural Outreach and Recruitment
MOR connects with students and families on-site at high schools, college fairs, and community gatherings throughout Washington state about admissions procedures, scholarships and financial aid. The program also sponsors UW campus visits and events.
RISE UP/SKY GEAR UP
This program serves middle and high school students in Yakima, Skagit and Klickitat counties, providing educational and career planning, mentoring, tutoring, and test preparation.
Upward Bound
One of the Department of Education TRIO programs, serving students at Cleveland High School, Franklin High School, Chief Sealth International High School and Kent Meridian High School. The six-week Summer Academy on the UW campus provides one-on-one and small group tutoring and homework help in math and language arts, academic advising and college planning assistance, individualized help with college applications, financial aid applications, and scholarship applications, and PSAT and SAT preparation classes.
Washington MESA
This program serves K-14 students throughout the state of Washington, building a pathway to college and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by offering academic plans, SAT/PSAT preparation, study skills training, career and college exploration, parent leadership development and teacher training opportunities. Students also participate in hands-on math and science competitions at local and regional levels.
*These programs serve students who are from low-income families or who have experienced hardships, students who will be the first in their family to graduate from a four-year college, underrepresented minority students, American Indian/Alaskan Native students, and students who were deprived of an adequate education due to poverty or discrimination.