- Why should I be a Compact Scholar at SDSU?
- Who is eligible to be a SDSU Compact Scholar?
- How do I apply for the program?
- What happens after I am admitted?
- What are the benefits of being in the Compact Scholars Program?
- Who is eligible to receive the Compact Scholars Scholarship?
- If I am offered a Compact Scholarship, does that mean I have to be in the Compact Scholars Program?
- How will this award work with other financial aid?
- If I don’t qualify for the Compact Scholarship, does that mean I can’t be in the Compact Scholars Program?
- Are there additional requirements that must be met after the being admitted in the program?
- Are there other ways I can satisfy the ELM/EPT requirements other than by taking the tests?
- What happens if I take the ELM and don’t achieve a score of 50, and I have not satisfied the requirement via the other options?
- What happens if I take the EPT and don’t achieve a score of 151, and I have not satisfied the requirement via the other options?
- What happens if I don’t satisfy the ELM and/or the EPT requirement by the time of graduation from high school in June?
- If I didn’t pass the ELM and/or EPT why can’t I take care of my remediation needs in the summer before I enter college in the fall and still enroll as a Compact Scholar?
- What do I have to do once I’m in the Compact Scholars Program?
- Does the Compact Scholars Program work well with other activities like varsity athletics, Greek life, Associated Students, and other campus programs like EOP, the Faculty Student Mentoring Program, University Honors Programs etc.?
- How many students were in the Compact Scholars Program for the fall 2006?
Why should I be a Compact Scholar at SDSU?
- The Compact Scholars Program offers qualified students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience at SDSU in a personal and enriching atmosphere of a smaller student cohort. This cohort will share a common experience with other undergraduate students of over 30,000 on campus.
- You will receive guidance and assistance in navigating your SDSU goals towards graduation.
- The Compact Scholars Program introduces you to diverse experiences of college life, including academic and extracurricular activities.
- The Compact Scholars Program offers sustained support to ensure you maximize benefits from various other SDSU resources and opportunities.
Who is eligible to be a SDSU Compact Scholar?
Graduates from the Compact for Success program in the Sweetwater Union High School District who satisfactorily met the following benchmarks are eligible to become Compact Scholars. These students have:
- Maintained continuous enrollment in the SUHSD since the 9th grade.
- Attained a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher by time of application and through their senior year.
- Completed all CSU A-G course requirements.
- Satisfied the ELM (Entry Level Math Placement) requirement, with a minimum score of 50. The student cannot be in need of remediation.
- Satisfied the EPT (English Placement Test) requirement with a minimum of 151 and cannot be in need of remediation.
- Took the SAT or ACT test.
How do I apply for the program?
You are able to electronically apply for admission to SDSU at www.csumentor.edu. A second application does not have to be submitted for the Compact Scholars Program.What happens after I am admitted?
There are 3 steps to be completed before being fully admitted into the Compact Scholars Program.
- In June, a letter is mailed to students who are on track in clearing the benchmark requirements. This letter offers students provisional admission to the Compact Scholars Program.
- The student must complete all the Compact for Success benchmarks before joining the Compact Scholars Program (see Question 2).
What are the benefits of joining the Compact Scholars Program?
Students in the Compact Scholars Program may benefit from:
- A Compact Scholars Scholarship awarded to students with demonstrated financial need.
- Community service opportunities.
- Academic and social activities.
- Monthly updates on SDSU and community events.
- Joining Scholars for Success, the Compact Scholars Program organization that allows students to network and share their SDSU experiences with other Compact Scholars.
Who is eligible to receive the Compact Scholars Scholarship?
To be considered for the Compact Scholars Scholarship, you need to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).The FAFSA is available on the Web in “Steps to Financial Aid” www.sdsu.edu/financialaid. The scholarship is renewable up to four years of continuous enrollment at SDSU. Scholarship amounts vary based on each student’s financial need as demonstrated from year to year. The FAFSA must be submitted no later than March 2nd, and is renewed annually.
If I am offered a Compact Scholarship, am I required to be in the Compact Scholars Program?
Yes, you must commit to the Compact Scholars Program in order to qualify for the scholarship. Donors have generously allocated funds for this scholarship with the expectation that you commit to the established program guidelines and ensure the success of attaining your degree at SDSU.
If I don’t qualify for the Compact Scholarship, does that mean I am unable to be in the Compact Scholars Program?
If you did not receive a scholarship award, you are still considered a Compact Scholar and eligible to receive all the services offered to SDSU Compact Scholars. The Compact Scholars Program is not only about receiving financial assistance, it is about academic and personal assistance to support your college career.
Are there additional requirements that must be met after being admitted in the program?
Yes. Students participating in the Compact Scholars Program must meet the following requirements while attending SDSU:
- Students must sign an agreement committing to the activities and events sponsored by the Compact Scholars Program.
- Students must make steady progress towards their degree goals by completing approximately 30 units each academic year. This may include summer enrollment.
Are there other ways I can satisfy the ELM/EPT requirements other than taking the required tests?
Yes. There are a variety of ways to satisfy the ELM/EPT requirements. Your first attempt in taking the tests should take place during the spring of your junior year of high school via the EAP. For more information on the EAP, please visit the EAP website: dus.sdsu.edu/crp/eap.html. For assistance with EAP-related questions, please contact SDSU EAP Coordinator, Rosie Villafana-Hatcher at (619)594-0657, or rvillafa@mail.sdsu.edu. To learn how you may satisfy the ELM requirement, please refer to the SDSU Test Office Website page: http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/testofc/writingreqs_freshment.htm
What happens if I take the ELM and don’t achieve a score of 50, or satisfy the requirements through other options?
You will be considered not proficient in math and therefore, not eligible to be a Compact Scholar. However, you can take the ELM more than once, as long as you don’t wait until the final test date offered in May. We advise you NOT TO WAIT until the last test date in case you do not pass the exam the first time. Taking the test a second time may allow you to clear the requirement and be eligible for the Compact Scholars Program.
What happens if I take the EPT and don’t achieve a score of 151, or satisfy the requirement through other options?
If you are not proficient in English, you are unfortunately not eligible to be a Compact Scholar. The EPT can only be taken one time.
What is required once I’m in the Compact Scholars Program?
Once you are a member in the Compact Scholars Program, you are expected to participate in the opportunities by enrolling in a Compact University Seminar as a freshmen and attending scheduled social/cultural events. You will soon discover, the more you are involved, the more likely you will enjoy college and reach your graduation goals.
Does the Compact Scholars Program work well with other activities i.e. varsity athletics, Greek life, Associated Students, EOP, the Faculty Student Mentoring Program, University Honors Programs etc.?
Yes. Compact Scholars Program students are encouraged to be involved in-class and out-of-class activities at SDSU. There are many exciting extra curricular activities, but students must remain flexible, accommodating, and use time-management strategies to successfully balance competing schedules and demands. While the Compact Scholar Director can support you in reaching your academic goals, it is ultimately your job to manage multiple responsibilities.
How many students are in the Compact Scholars Program?
SDSU welcomed its first cohort of 203 Compact Scholars in the fall of 2006. In 2007, 192 Compact Scholars were enrolled at SDSU and in 2008, 227 Compact Scholar students enrolled at SDSU.