So-Cal College Trip

March 30th, 2026 - April 2nd, 2026

SEO Scholars is providing a free opportunity for 11th grade Scholars to participate in an overnight trip to Southern California Colleges from Monday, March 30th to Thursday, April 2nd 2026!

SEO will cover meals, activities, lodging and transportation for this amazing opportunity. Visiting colleges and universities provides you with a first-hand experience of the campus culture, an opportunity to speak with admissions officers and current students, and incredibly fun experiences with your friends!

With a 10:1 Scholar to staff ratio, we aim to ensure the safety and efficacy of our programming to provide SEO Scholars with an enriching and engaging learning experience. With a limited number of seats on our transportation, we have 50 spots to fill! Scholars must complete and maintain the eligibility requirements to earn a spot on the trip. If you don't get a spot at first, join the waitlist!

Colleges for this trip are currently TBA it will all depend on the colleges tour availability, but in previous years we have been able to visit the following: UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, University of Southern California, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Claremont McKenna College, Pitzer College, and many more!

Below are important links to review and submit.

Key Dates

December 13, 2025: Application opens
February 7, 2026: Application Priority Deadline
February 14, 2026: Application Final Deadline
February 14, 2026: Deadline to submit all required documents: Transcript and Income
February 17, 2026: Acceptances and waitlist decisions emailed to Scholars and families.
February 24: Permission slips are due
March 30 - April 2: Our Trip begins! Exact dates and universities depends on tour availability.

Application Stage

Apply Now!

Eligibility Criteria

Attendance: No more than 2 unexcused absence during Fall 2025 Saturday Academy & no more than 1 unexcused absence during Spring 2026 Saturday Academy. To review SEO attendance policies click here.
Assignments
- Above 80% assignment completion rate in each class for Fall 2025 Saturday Academy
- Completed rough draft of Brag Sheet (about me, academic, extracurricular, awards section)
GPA: 3.0+ unweighted, including 11th Grade Semester 1 grades
Transcript Submission: All courses 9-11th Fall (unless year-long school)
Proof of 2024 and 2025 Income Submission: IRS Form 1099, W2, and/or 1040
- You can submit 2024 income tax documents already! Ask your parent/guardian.
- For additional accepted documents, please message your program manager.
Application: 3 Short Answer Response Questions, 250 minimum word count each in application
- ***PLEASE NOTE: Your application should be complete with writing prompt drafts by your submission date. Scholars will work with their writing coaches to finish editing and the form will remain open and re-submittable. Scholars should submit their final revised version of their writing prompts on Brightpace by Feb 14th.
- Prompt #1: Tell us about a time you learned something that excited you. How have you pursued this interest, whether in class or outside of it? (250 words minimum)
- Prompt #2. Tell us about an issue in your community that you care about: what action have you taken, through volunteering, academics, or other commitments, to address this issue? (250 words minimum)
- Prompt #3: Tell us about a time your perspective was different from someone else's. How did you navigate that disagreement (or conflict)? What did you learn? (250 words minimum)
Scholar Meetings: Completion of intake and fall academic check in meetings
Mandatory Family Meeting: Wednesday, March 11th, 5pm-6:30pm. Must be attended by Scholar and 1 parent/guardian. Registration link will be sent out to accepted students.
Commitment: Must be able to attend full trip.
Consistent collaboration and communication with SEO staff and peers