PEEP MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Sunday, April 23, 2006

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PEEP Ned Fenton greeted all the parents and EEPsters in attendance.

PEEP Donna Hay mentioned that the PEEP website has been revised and is available at http://www.earlyentrancefoundation.org/peep/ and it contains a plethora of useful links, including ones to all of Rich's newsletters, Rich's articles of interest, summaries of meetings, and much more -- the internet is such a useful vehicle for us to stay informed. She mentioned that we are still signing families up for electronic scrip -- grocery club cards only (no credit card or debit card information) -- and we could make as much as $1000 if we increase participation. And it costs PEEPs nothing -- if no charity is specified on your grocery club card, then the grocery store just keeps all the money. There is no charge to the family for this service, and the stores rebate 1-5% of your purchases to EEP each quarter. Visit the website and click on "electronic scrip" for more information.

Ned and Rich thanked all the parents who have donated money for our new items -- sofa, bookcases, lockers, etc. Pictures are in the PEEP newsletter online. We have reached half of our goal, and more donations are always welcome.

Rich shared his favorite recent articles. All are online for all parents to read at their leisure on the PEEP website: http://www.earlyentrancefoundation.org/peep/articles/articleindex.html. Among the articles he liked recently were the one on AP courses, and the one on aging brains.

Rich and the EEPC mentioned some of the social activities planned for the remainder of this year: the Zoo, Museum, Grad Night (at Disneyland on June 15th, and the SEC Talent Show -- and the Social Chair Laura P mentioned that the EEPC is looking for chaperones and drivers for Grad Night (email her if you can help out). And, of course, keep in mind the ever-popular Catalina Island trip next September.

There is a new method of ordering items through the EEPC store. EEPsters just need to sign up for the items of choice, and the item will be sent home with the EEPster with an invoice. This should obviate the problem of EEPsters going to school with extra money and not coming home with the expected items! EEPC mentioned that there is still time to order the yearbook with dvd ($50) as well as two new clothing items: the lemonhead sweatshirt ($25) and the Neeshan EEPC t-shirt ($10). And there are still lots of license plate frames for your car too. EEP Club chairs can be reached through the EEPC website http://www.eepclub.org/ and the email is eepclub@calstatela.edu.

About 220 children signed up to test at both the fall and the spring testing. This is significantly down from normal (off about 33%), but more children than usual qualified for EEP, even with the lower turnout. Rich expects about 100 provies this summer. Rich introduced Michelle from the CSULA testing office who is helping out with the test today. Rich is pleased with the changes, with CSULA taking more control over the testing supervision, as it frees up his time, and does not change anything as far as the EEPsters, the testees, and the EEP is concerned.

The last item of business before the main part of the meeting was to inform parents that a Johns Hopkins Senior Counselor/Researcher, Michelle Mauratori, is writing a book on Early College Entrance, to be published by Prufrock Press. She is inviting all PEEPs to contribute to this project, which is a practical guide. Please click here for her letter and questionnaire, and respond by fax, email or snail mail -- ASAP -- hopefully by May 1st!!

Rich then launched into the main topic for today's meeting: Graduate Schools. His handout shows how the process for Graduate School begins as early as Year One at CSULA. Obviously, good grades are important, but making faculty contacts should be a prime consideration in all years, starting in the first. Faculty letters are a most important part of the graduate school admission criteria, as well as extra-curricular activities, especially campus activities such as clubs. Year three is a good year for EEPsters to think about research positions with professors. Rich underscored that the typical course is five years at CSULA. EEPsters should think about 10-20 graduate schools, and there are great resources online for narrowing it down -- EEPsters should probably be planning the applications for about a year before they are due. Applications are generally due about January 1st. He proudly mentioned some of the great acceptances garnered by this year's seniors - to Duke Medical School and the #2, #3 and #4 Psychology programs! Rich reminded parents that he keeps current alumni email addresses in his "Student Information" binder -- for use by all EEPsters. He then turned the meeting over to our guest speaker: Dr. Stephanie Spehar.

Stephanie entered EEP at age 13, and majored in Anthropology, knowing she wanted to go into primatology. She concurred with Rich's suggestions, and added to them. Not only is it important to know the CSULA professors, but EEPsters should also look into the professors at the graduate schools they are applying to -- faculty contacts in both places. She agreed how extra-curricular activities and hobbies are important; schools want to see you as "human" and interesting. Stephanie volunteered at the LA Zoo. She also suggested that she felt personal interviews were a good option, so that the schools could see how mature the applicant is, and not think them too young, but noted that professor recommendations also serve this purpose. She said that in retrospect, the one thing she would have changed is to take more hard science courses. She took off a year after finishing EEP, and took a cooking class at Cordon Bleu and worked in a restaurant in Scotland, while also touring Europe. She felt that this break between college and graduate school was beneficial, and Rich concurred, but also said that it depends on the individual and the type of graduate school -- Stephanie knew she would embark on a seven-year program at NYU. She loves what she is doing, enjoying both her teaching responsibilities (often teaching students older than she!) and her research that has carried her to Africa and Ecuador, and is looking forward to going to the Far East. She thinks she will likely work in a non-governmental environmental agency, and welcomes contact from EEPsters about this path. Stephanie was met with a warm round of applause, and graciously stayed to talk to the parents of the testees as well.

The PEEP meeting ended, and EEPsters and alumna Dr. Stephanie Spehar spoke at the Testee Parent Meeting along with Rich.

Thank you to all the PEEPs who attended Sunday's meeting, and especially to all the EEPsters and Stephanie Spehar who gave up their time to help the EEP. PEEPs, please tell your EEPsters that all prospective parents agree that it is the EEPsters that really sell the program! Their participation on this day as guides, proctors and speakers is invaluable!