Within weeks some 1500 high school sophomores in the Arlington school district will receive letters telling them their admission to the University of Texas in Arlington is guaranteed, even though they have two more years of high school to complete.
The students all rank in the top 20 percent of their class.
Arlington ISD Superintendent Marcelo Cavazos and UT Arlington President Vistasp Karbhari joined together to announce the Bound for Success program Tuesday.
Cavazos says one in five Arlington high school grads don’t apply for college. That number is even larger among Hispanic students.
He says the university and school system will host financial aid workshops and programs to help the top students prepare for the transition.
“You will be able to get counselors who will be available weekly at each Arlington ISD high school to help in advising you through high school courses, to guide you through UTA if you are interested in attending UTA and to make sure you are successful,” Cavazos told a group of listening students.
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Luis Leroy, a sophomore at Sam Houston High School, says his mother will be relieved when she learns about the program.
“I didn’t expect to go to college,” he said. “Knowing I’m going to get this opportunity is a wonderful thing for me.”