10TH GRADE FIELD TRIPS

Each year, Cal State San Marcos (CSUSM) welcomes eligible San Marcos Unified School District 10th grade students to the PACE Promise by inviting them to take a campus visit  to CSUSM  and to  learn about the opportunities available to them.

Who can participate?
All San Marcos Unified School District 10th grade students who have attended Mission Hills or San Marcos High since 9th grade and are determined to be “on-track” for CSUSM are invited to attend. 

Schedule of Events
Students are bused from their school to the entrance of CSUSM, where they are met and greeted by current CSUSM students. The day is comprised of four activities: a brief welcome ceremony and overview of the day, a walking tour of the campus, workshop sessions on college life and an opportunity to ask a CSUSM student panel questions about college.

Workshop Sessions
Students will have the opportunity to hear about the PACE Promise, student life, financial aid, the college admissions process, and hear the experiences of current CSUSM students. 

Campus Tour
SMUSD staff and students go on a walking tour of the campus with current CSUSM students and visit various locations highlighting important spots on campus.

School Involvement
All San Marcos high schools promote the event early to ensure early sign-ups. San Marcos provides incentives to students who sign up, including CSUSM logo items and a PACE Promise t-shirt. Each school’s counseling staff attends and provides supervisory staff to accompany the students on the buses and at CSUSM.

Collaboration
The annual campus visit to CSUSM is the product of the efforts of many departments at CSUSM and the San Marcos Unified School District. The PACE Promise staff and CSUSM rely on the support of their colleagues in the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, Early Outreach Programs, Associated Students, Athletics, Public Safety and Cougar Shops. In addition, many colleges and student organizations provide their time and resources to ensure a great day for the students.  San Marcos school counselors and Departments of Transportation also work hard to make the day a success.

All visiting 10th grade students leave CSUSM with a comprehensive packet of information including: a booklet entitled “Your Future! Plan ahead and make high school count” and information on EOP, Financial Aid, and CSU information. Visitors also make valuable connections to academic departments that may one day be their choice of a major.

Student Responses to Past Field Trips to CSUSM