Frequently Asked Questions

A: Feel free to fill out the interest form to sign them up for updates!

A: Learn more about us here, check out our Events Page for upcoming Zoom sessions, or contact us directly at sfadmissions@seo-usa.org

A: To be a SEO Scholar you must: 

• Be in 9th grade in Fall of 2025

• Attend a school within the SF Bay Area

• Have a GPA of at least 3.0 and maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout your 9th Grade Fall (letter grades of C of Better required)

•  Student must attend a Public High School. 

• Come from a household that makes $135,000 a year or less

• All students are welcome to apply!

Still have questions? Contact us at sfadmissions@seo-usa.org!

A: SEO Scholars is a hybrid program that provides both virtual and in-person programing. 

Our weekday program is virtual meaning after school program is through Zoom (usually Tuesday and Thursdays). While our Saturday and Summer Academies are held in-person. 

Please note: 

• This allows for our students to build community and learn from others across the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as ensures that all students receive the same level of opportunity, attention, and support. 

A: Yes! We do encourage students to utilize public transportation (Muni and AC Transit) as much as possible as it is free to students with a school ID. Students can also opt in to a Clipper Card to use BART to get to their Saturday and Summer Academies or we can support parents will toll reimbursements. 

A: If accepted, orientation and programming will kick off Spring semester of the Scholars 9th grade year.

A: SEO Scholars is a 100% free program. While we help students apply for scholarships to college, we do not directly provide scholarships. We work with students and their families to identify and support in applying to scholarships that fit their needs. 

A: SEO Scholars is a very competitive program and accept 60 ninth graders each year. 

A: Extra curricular activities such as sports and music look great on a college application! While SEO Scholars requires 100% attendance to after-school, Saturday, and Summer Programming, we have many students that participate in extra-curriculars.

A: To apply to SEO Scholars, you will need the following materials: 

• A copy of you most recent report card 

• A copy of your parent/guardians' income verification

Additional details about where you can find these materials can be found below!

• Grade Verification Guide

• Family Income Verification Guide

After you have collected all the documents, you can start the application! 

Our application process is broken up in 2 phases:

Phase 1: 

• Students will submit their written application online HERE (Application Opens September 1st!). This includes:

  • 2 Essays (250 minimums)

  • Most recent report card

  • Family Income Verification

Our recruitment team thoroughly reviews all applications and will extend offers to students to continue onto Phase 2 of our application process.

In Phase 2, Students will be invited to complete the following: 

• a 30-minute interview with a SEO staff member via Zoom 

• a diagnostic exam that will cover reading comprehension, math, and writing skills. 

Only students who have completed all tasks within both phases will be considered for SEO Scholars. 

A: We understand your student may not have their first 9th grade report card yet. If this is true, we ask for a copy of your students' most recent grades through this Grade Check.  

Please note that students accepted into SEO Scholars must maintain a 3.0 GPA (with no letter grades lower than a C) to be fully accepted into the program. 

We will request all final transcripts of a student's 9th Grade Fall Semester to confirm their 3.0 GPA before onboarding them into the program. 

A: SEO Scholars is looking for students who are committed, dedicated, and motivated to go to college. A thoughtful essay on their application and preparing their interview is a great way to stand out!

A: Each essay response should be thoughtfully written in at least 250 words (although we prefer more). This is your chance to share about yourself!

A: If the admissions team feels like this could be a good fit, we will invite your student to an interview. Your student will get to have an interview with one of our staff members and learn more about the program. Additionally, they will also take a diagnostic exam.

Since we are a highly competitive program, we require all students to respond within 2 days of receiving any communication from SEO Scholars. 

A: Admissions Decisions depends on what deadline students apply for: 

For Fall Priority, students can expect an admissions response by December 20th.

For Final Deadline, students can expect an admissions response by January 28th. 

Since we are a highly competitive program, we require all students to respond within 2 days of receiving any communication from SEO Scholars. 

A: A student's admission into SEO Scholars is contingent them maintaining minimum GPA of 3.0 with letter grades of C or better. Unfortunatley, if their grades fall below the expectation we will rescind admissions letters. 

A: Yes! If your student is not accepted into the program, we will send them a list of other great programs across the Bay Area that can support in their academic endeavors!

A: Students that join SEO Scholars commit to the following mandatory programming:

• Saturday Academy: 3 Saturdays/ month from 8:30am - 4:00pm

• After School Programming: 2-3 hours of afternoon academic classes 2 times per week

• Summer Academy: 5 weeks of hybrid academic classes during summer

  • Monday through Thursday: in-person programming in San Francisco at the UC Law Campus 

  • Friday: Virtual Programming 

• Taking Community College Classes throughout the summer before 10th grade through 11th grade.