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Project Upward Bound

Vandenberg Hall, Room 120
502 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester , Michigan 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-3218
Fax: (248) 370-3217
[email protected]

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Extended hours on select Saturdays (see schedule) or call for an appointment

Project Upward Bound

Vandenberg Hall, Room 120
502 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester , Michigan 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-3218
Fax: (248) 370-3217
[email protected]

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Extended hours on select Saturdays (see schedule) or call for an appointment

A room full of students in a classroom, many of them raising their hands.

Membership Application

Perks of Membership

All things considered, participating in PUB throughout high school equals receiving a “Service Scholarship” valued at almost $20,000. The greatest reward is that Upward Bound participants are four times more likely to earn bachelor’s degrees (Council for Opportunity in Education) than those who don’t participate in Upward Bound. And with a bachelor’s degree, Upward Bound alumni will earn 41% more per year (about $800 more per month) than an adult whose education ended with a high school diploma (smartasset.com, 2018). PUB members:

  • Receive a regular Stipend and earn Elective Credit
  • Live on campus and receive Leadership Training
  • Enjoy Travel Experiences as a reward for achievement
  • Get Fee Waivers for Testing and College Admission Applications
  • Use Technology and Resources that may not be available at home or at school
  • Become eligible for Oakland University Credit Union Membership
  • Qualify for Upward Bound Book Scholarship upon enrollment at Oakland University
  • Become eligible for TRIO Scholarship Competitions
  • Access and eventually join a National Network of TRIO Alumni

Online Membership Application

Online Applicant Essay

PUB Day at OU Survey

Minimum Prerequisites
  • Be at least age 13 at the time of admission
  • Have completed grade 8 at the time of admission
  • Have at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA on a regular curriculum track
  • Live in Pontiac or Royal Oak Township regardless of the school you attend OR
  • Be enrolled in Pontiac, or Oak Park, or Pontiac Academy for Excellence School Districts regardless of where you live
Best Time to Apply

Membership slots become available in June when high school seniors graduate. Our goal is to replace them by the end of September following June graduation.

  • 8th Graders: February of your 8th grade year is the best time to apply to be first in line to fill slots vacated by graduating seniors. If admitted, membership would be activated for Summer Academy II, a two-week commuter summer program immediately after completing 8th grade.  The new admit would then continue participating in the academic year that September and be eligible to stay on campus for Summer Academy I immediately after completing 9th grade.

  • High School Students: Applications are accepted all year round from all grade levels. Apply by fall to be eligible to live on campus the following summer. The best time to apply would be in August to get the benefit of support throughout the school year.
How to Apply
  • If you are unsure whether you want to apply, fill out a Contact Form and a PUB Team Member will be glad to answer whatever questions we can (see FAQs tab).
  • If you know you want to apply, complete and submit this Online Membership Application.
Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after I apply?
When a complete application packet is submitted, a preliminary determination is made regarding eligibility. If the application meets at least one eligibility requirement, the applicant and parent/guardian may be invited for an interview. Within a designated period after the interview, the applicant and parent/guardian are informed by telephone and in writing of the outcome of their application process.

Is admission based on a certain income?
Income is not, by itself, a deciding factor. All possible eligibility factors are considered when evaluating an application.

What if a student is in a foster situation?
Students in foster care automatically meet the income guideline due to their court ward status.

When are new students admitted?
There are two major admission periods every year – September 1 through January 31 for the current academic year and February 1 through May 31 for the following academic year.  Admissions normally do not take place in June, July, and August because all attention is focused on the Summer Academy.

Who can live on campus?
Admitted PUB Scholars who have been active during the academic year are eligible to live on campus during Summer Academy I. However, students who do not apply until their senior year will graduate from high school before they have a chance to live on campus.

When can I live on Campus?
Students admitted September 1 through January 31 who are active in the Academic Year Program for at least 60 days qualify to enroll in Summer Academy I. PUB’s Academic Year programming usually ends in the last week of March. Therefore, students admitted February 1 through May 31 can still be in PUB but will not be able to meet the 60 days of participation to qualify to live on campus that year. They would be eligible to enroll in the non-residential Summer Academy II in the year they are admitted; then they would be eligible for residential Summer Academy I in the year following their admit year if they remain active for at least 60 days of the academic year.

Why should I spend the summer on campus instead of working?
You have about 45 years of your life ahead when you will have to work. While you have this opportunity, get a preview of what it’s like to be a residential college student. Meet credit recovery requirements if needed.  Be surrounded by mentors. Make lifelong friends. Get exposed to new experiences including travel.

Is PUB just for the summer?
PUB is a year-round, multi-year program. When students are admitted (usually in grades 9 or 10) they are expected to remain active through grade 12. Students are expected to spend at least one summer on campus but are welcome to spend more if space allows.

Can I work and be in PUB?
Students who manage their time well can do both. PUB has live and virtual options that help PUB Scholars meet PUB requirements. At orientation and on our website, an entire academic year schedule is provided; so we ask that PUB Scholars arrange their work schedules at times that do not conflict with PUB activities.

Can I be in PUB and other extra-curricular activities?
This is another opportunity for PUB to help with developing good time management skills. PUB will work with PUB Scholars to negotiate schedules whose activities do not conflict.  We don’t want any student to be denied opportunities.

What if I was in PUB and stopped coming?
You are still eligible as long as you have not graduated from high school. Submit this Readmission Form to request that your membership be reactivated.