Alan Llavore | Office of Marketing and Communications | (909) 537-5007 | allavore@csusb.edu
CSUSB’s Office of Pre-College Programs launched its inaugural IRL: College in Real Life Road Trip through the California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) San Bernardino County Consortium and Educational Talent Search (ETS), giving local high school seniors an opportunity to explore higher education pathways and prepare for college.
The fully funded, four-day, three-night residential experience brought together 38 seniors from the San Bernardino City Unified, Rialto Unified, Fontana Unified and Hesperia Unified school districts for an immersive college road trip through Orange County.
Students visited Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine, Chapman University and Irvine Valley College, providing firsthand exposure to four different higher education pathways: the California State University and University of California systems, a private university, and a California community college.
Through guided campus tours, students explored classrooms, resource centers, bookstores and dining halls while learning about academic programs, student services and campus life. The experience gave participants an opportunity to compare institutions and consider which college environment might be the best fit for their goals.
Students also participated in college-readiness workshops covering senior-year planning, admissions requirements, personal insight questions, financial aid and FAFSA, study abroad opportunities, and strategies for succeeding academically and personally in college.
Beyond academics, recreational and team-building activities — including bowling, beach activities, collaborative games, and interactive challenges — encouraged students to build friendships, leadership skills and confidence. For some participants, the program marked their first time staying away from home, visiting multiple college campuses or seeing the California coast.
Participants said the experience helped make the college application process feel more manageable and expanded their understanding of the opportunities available after high school.
“Before this trip, it was hard to know what I needed to do because there was so much information coming at me at once,” said Dana Esparza-Dabbs of Oak Hills High School. “Having the staff support me, going on the tours, and learning all this information helped me understand the steps I need to take. I now feel 100% more confident applying to college.”
Roderick Figgs, director of CSUSB’s Cal-SOAP, said the program was designed around the idea that firsthand experiences can help students envision themselves pursuing higher education.
“You can’t always picture yourself somewhere until you’ve actually been there,” said Figgs. “Success doesn’t come from choosing the ‘best’ school. It comes from finding the school that’s the ‘best’ school for you.”
By combining campus experiences with college readiness workshops, admissions guidance, financial aid education and mentorship, IRL: College in Real Life helped students gain the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their educational journeys.
The inaugural program, held July 12-15, reflects CSUSB’s ongoing commitment to expanding college access and supporting student success. Through Cal-SOAP, Educational Talent Search and the Office of Pre-College Programs, the university continues to provide experiences that help students prepare for college and envision themselves succeeding in higher education.
