7th graders holding a PACE Promise sign
7th Graders during a workshop session.
7th Graders.
Cal State San Marcos picture.

7th Grade Field Trips

Each year, Cal State San Marcos (CSUSM) welcomes all San Marcos Unified School District 7th grade students to the PACE Promise by inviting them to take a field trip to CSUSM. Each year, roughly 1,300 seventh graders from the San Marcos Unified School District visit the CSU campus and learn about the opportunities available to them.

Who can participate?
All San Marcos Unified School District 7th grade students are invited to attend. Each student is given a PACE Promise shirt to wear on that day.

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, and what they can do to prepare for college.

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 middle schools promote the event early in the year 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 7th grade students leave CSUSM with a comprehensive packet of information including: a booklet entitled “College: Making It Happen” 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.