EEP QUARTERLY SPRING 2008

CSULA’s Early Entrance Program – Spring 2008
Family Newsletter
EEP Newsletter Est. 1988
Spring '08 - 77th Edition

Welcome EEP Family to the spring quarter 2008. After the rains and chill of winter, we are pleased to welcome the arid warmth of spring in Los Angeles. Lots of stuff so we better get to it. Read on to discover who was accepted to Yale and who was accepted to Berkeley grad schools (doctoral and law respectively) Also discover who was married in Jamaica and lots more!!

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Last Quarter’s EventS
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EEPC held the annual post holiday Big Bear trip - December 11- 13, 2007 where much fun, snow and home (cabin) cooking took place. Thanks to the Perrault (Spencer) PEEPsters for chaperone duties.

EEPC sponsored Laser Tag event was held on Feb 1, 2008 According to the EEPC President, “Many lasers changed hands at the EEP laser tag event last February. EEPsters spent a lot of time running around in a dark room firing beams of light at each other, occasionally taking breaks to nibble on delicious pizza. Thanks to everyone who attended, and big thanks to the EEP Club officers in attendance for making sure things ran smoothly”. That’s some fancy reporting Mr. President.

EEPster campus club PACK (People for Animal Care and Kindness) held a Cotton Candy Fundraiser on Feb 11, 2008 with proceeds donated to the San Gabriel Humane Society! These are great young people we have here in EEP!

Hollywood museum trip sponsored by EEPC took place on Friday, February 29th, 2008. The trip included several attraction museums (Guinness, Ripley’s and the House of Wax). Twenty-five EEPsters enjoyed a picnic style lunch together before continuing the adventure to Hollywood Blvd. to act the tourist, it seemed everyone had a pleasant time together and enjoyed a day off from intense advanced scholarship to enjoy adolescence and camaraderie! Chaperone duties by Elders, the Program Director Richard and office staff Amanda J.

The LA County Science Olympiad Regional Competition was held on the CSULA campus last Saturday Mar. 15th 2008 with many EEPster volunteers. See Accomplishment section for more details.

The annual EEP “don’t call it a prom” Formal was held on Monday, March 17, 2008 at the Fire Fly Bistro in South Pasadena. Reports the EEPC President, “The Annual EEPC Formal went smashingly, with a record 69 people in attendance. The traditional dance-off ended in an unprecedented tie between a stunningly choreographed swing-dancing routine (James N, Pam L, and Kostya K), and an air-band rendition of "Reptilia" by The Strokes (Jake P, Alex S, Frosty O'B, and Kostya K again). A good time was had by all, and we look forward to doing it again next year. Much thanks to the O'Brien Family (PEEPsters Laurie and Karl) for hosting the event for the second year running. Chaperone duties by the O’Brien’s, EEP Staff Sharon R and GA Monica Marquez-Savala.

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AnnouncementS
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PEEPster actress wins big (e-mail EEP staff for details eepstaff@cslanet.calstatela.edu)

We are pleased to announce that we have a new Academic Advisor, Dr. Jeff Benedict. Beginning Spring quarter he will be conducting quarterly student academic advisement meetings previously conducted by Monica. Welcome to the EEP family Jeff! jbenedi@calstatela.edu.

Dr. Vanessa Sheldon (EEP Alumna) – held an Art Reception/Concert at the Walter Marks Center for the Arts at College of the Canyons (COC) on Wednesday, Feb 13, 2008.

EEP Alum Richard (Rico) Jones is planning an Alum Association to help support the EEP program and the students.

Randi Swedenberg (former EEP academic GA) got a new job at Humboldt State University in their Human Resources Dept. CONGRATULATIONS RANDI!!!

We have a new Federal Work Study (EEP office worker) Bryant Ortiz. Bryant is a very nice soft-spoken young man who is a CSLA freshman majoring in English, you’ll see him around the office and lounge area as he helps us with the myriad office/clerical and student support services. Welcome Bryant

EEP Alumna Charys Scotton J.D had a beautiful beach wedding in Jamaica on November 10th 2007. Congratulations to Charys and new husband Rob! We wish them the best of luck! A message from the bride,” We are in the running for the Knot.com's 2007 Real Wedding Awards. Please vote for us! Get others to vote for us! Here is the site. http://realweddingawards.theknot.com/photo/view/Rob-and-Charys-Beach-Wedding-Weekend

The WPC exam will experience radical change after the April 13th 2008 exam; we will keep you posted of course. In the meantime, April 13th is the next exam. Be on the look out for info from PEEP on help needed, the EEPsters will discuss the testing at group meetings including signing up to volunteer for the following testing positions: Proctors, Asst Proctors, Greeters, Hall monitors, General Labor

Unfortunately, we have no new news on the proposed EEP move to new space

GRADFAIR 2008 - April 9-10, 2008 is the event for all upcoming EEPsters graduating this spring. More info was sent in e-mails to the grads.

EEP Club elections in spring. In addition, EEP club membership, participation and dues will become voluntary effective immediately. More discussions in-group meetings

One last EEPC item. Effective immediately EEPsters participating in Club trips who wish to deviate from the trip itinerary will require signed notes from parents detailing the proposed deviation. More discussed at group meetings, we suggest you discuss with your students thereafter.

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Student NewS & AccomplishmentS
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We begin the Accomplishment section with the University’s Golden Eagle Awards of Excellence Awarded this year. This award was presented to the following EEPsters:

• Shanshan L - Economics
• Michael T - Anthropology
• Claire W - Electrical Engineering

Another group of EEPsters to be recognized include:

• Sarah G and David W who worked as Event Captains for the LA County Science Olympiad Regional Competition, proctoring the events Tower Building (middle school division) and Boomilever (high school division), respectively. The following EEPsters also volunteered as assistants at the competition: Faisal A, Priscilla D, Ben S, John Michael S, Justina T, Eric W, and Jacquelyn Y.
• Julian B - began working with Dr. Epstien and Dr. Aniol in their nuclear physics research program.
• Alex B - received a scholarship from the CSLA Alumni Association this year.
• Jennifer C - was appointed to the position of ASI Vice President for Academic Governance (separate from elections) and she received the 2008 Alumni Association Scholarship.
• Cristina DC - She received this year's Alumni Association Scholarship. The award itself was listed as the "Leader in Physics Scholarship."
• Steven G - was accepted into the Amgen Scholars Program at UCLA that includes a generous stipend, test prep, room and board and research experience.
• Andrew Jick EEP 2008 Graduate - has been accepted to Law schools at Georgetown, Cornell, Univ. of Virginia (with full scholarship) and UC Berkeley’s Boalt School of Law; he has also been accepted to hometown favorites UCLA and USC. He has been put on "wait " lists at Harvard, Columbia, Chicago and Duke, and has yet to hear from Stanford or NYU. He should hear back from these schools by mid-April. Congratulations Andrew!!
• Danielle K EEP Grad 2008 - has been accepted to doctoral programs in Biochemistry by Yale, U Penn, Georgia Tech, USC, and UC Davis. She is almost positive that she will be accepting the offer from Yale.
• James N and Lara R were quarter finalists – at the PSCFA speech and debate tournament (we were not informed of what the acronym stands for, our apologies) at L.A. Valley College in February 2008.
• Nika N - has been elected President of the Public Relations Club on campus.
• PACK (People for animal care and kindness) - entered the ASI Homecoming banner contest and won 2nd place! 2nd place wins a cash prize of $75. :)
• Lea U - Sang at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in January.

Please remember to alert us to all the fantastic things EEPsters do so we may add to the next EEP Newsletter, both on and off campus.

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Alumni Visits and Written Communiqué' this Quarter
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Myle Ott – On 1/9/08 he finished his first semester of his PhD program at Cornell. Go Myle!

Kate (Neilson) Fitzpatrick – Had lunch with Rich on 2/11/2008 to discuss her current projects and plans. We wish her continued success. Kate was a guest speaker at the annual BIL conference http://bilconference.com/ in Early March she spoke on the state of gifted education.

Mark Gordon – Called 2/11/08 to say hello and check up on the EEP, we were doing just fine.

Matt Gozdecki – Called 2/11/08 to say hello, to check up on the EEP and to tell Rich he passed his Series 7 brokerage licensing exams (He is still doing great J). Matthew is an broker/analyst for Wells Fargo

Chris Humphrey EEP Alum - made a film on politics regarding Super Tuesday and it was featured on the front page of You Tube. - http://youtube.com/watch?v=gq5shhIckus.

Paisley Kadison – Contacted us on 2/11/08 to tell us she was accepted to the M.Acc Masters Program at Leventhal School at USC, her program is ranked at #5 nationally Congratulations!!! Paisley then begins law school shortly thereafter.

Richard “Rico” Jones – Had lunch with Rich on 2/25/2008 and announced he was planning an Alumni Association to help support the Program. J

Owynn Lancaster – Popped into the EEP office on 3/4/08 to say hello. He will be teaching KIN101T (Judo) at CSLA next quarter, with Owynn as an instructor teacher, it should be an AWESOME class. :)

Ron Masson – En route to med school in Vermont dropped by the EEP to say hello and offer “helpful” advice to EEPsters.

Justin Padilla B.S EEP Alum - living in Burbank, has a great job, has tons of friends, and is enjoying the single life reports Rich after an e-mail discussion with Justin.

Andrew Post – Finished first semester at USC Gould School of Law. He loves law school and he says, “USC is the place for EEPsters to [go to law school].” He says he is always willing to give students considering UCLA the “Trojan perspective.” J He also is an excellent poker player and won the USC Law poker tournament against alumni and a professor. All proceeds went to charity. Go POST!!!!

Remember, many of these EEP Alumni and others have provided the EEPsters with their e-mail addresses for consultation and advisement (in the Student Information Binder) with new additions available at Group Meetings quarterly.

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ReminderS
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Priority Registration for summer 2008 will be* during the 5th week of spring 2008
Advisement Slips due by Wednesday, April 16 @ noon (12:00pm)
Tuition due by Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Priority Registration is Monday, April 21, 2008
*We will alert EEPsters of changes @ Group Meetings, the Big Board and/or through mass e-mail.
Remember, Advisement Slips will be due by noon on April 16

• Group Meetings Spring 08 Week #3 April 8-9th and Week #8 May 13-14th
• PEEPsters located by email at earlyentrance@sbcglobal.net Or visit website: http://www.earlyentrancefoundation.org/peep
• PEEP Newsletter at: http://www.earlyentrancefoundation.org/peep/newsletter.html
• EEP Class Rings through Jostens in September, contact eleanorboudreau@jostens.com
• EEPC Contacts and Newsletter and MORE http://www.eepclub.org
• E-bay retailer PEEPster will help you donate items to be sold via E-Bay with proceeds to the EEP. Contact Helenechemel@yahoo.com
• Students must have their basic subject Math, English, Oral Communication, and Critical Thinking coursework finished in their first 45 units, take the WPE prior to earning 135 units and should have the EEP staff direct them to a major advisor when ready.
• Contact EEP University faculty advisor Jeff Benedict to schedule an individual advisement meeting, Jeff’s e-mail address is: jbenedi@calstatela.edu
• EEP GA advisement assistant Monica Marquez-Savala may be helpful with meeting your needs at EEPGA_Savala@yahoo.com.
• Earn extra money by becoming an EEP Tutor. Contact EEPC Academic Chair Swapneel P at swapneelpatel1@yahoo.com.
• Mock Trial Club contact David N tealterror@sbcglobal.net for details.
• American Medical Student Association (AMSA) contact amsacsula@gmail.com Remember to use Lounge Resources
• Student Information Binder (campus policies, alum contact e-mails, etc.).
• Course Evaluation Binders (faculty ratings / course evaluations by EEPsters).
• Group Meeting Binder (opportunities, EEPC events, sign-ups, policy changes).
• Hanging Wall File & Stand Alone File (campus forms and information on clubs, scholarships, campus phone directory, Honors classes, etc.).
• Cubby Shelf Unit (interesting magazines, old schedules, class materials, weird EEP stuff, spare umbrellas, etc.).
• CSULA-EEP Important Dates
  Mar 16-23rd -- Winter 2008 Quarter Break
  Mar 24th -- Spring 2008 Quarter classes begin
  Mar 31st -- University Closed – Cesar Chavez Holiday
  Mar 24-Apr 7th -- Late registration/adjustments
  Apr 1st -- No record drop deadline
  Apr 1st -- Spring 2008 “W” withdrawal period begins
  Apr 7th -- Spring 2008 ADD Deadline
  Apr 8th, 9th -- EEP Group Meetings
  Apr 13th -- Sunday WPC exam
  May 8th -- “W” Withdraw Period Ends
  May 9th -- Emergency Withdrawal Period
  May 13-14th -- EEP Group Meetings
  May 26th -- University Closed – Memorial Day
  June 8-15th -- Spring 2008 Quarter break
  June 16th -- Summer 2008 Quarter classes begin

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News, Notices, Cheers and Jeers
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A Message to the Parents of the EEP from Richard S. Maddox

Our exclusive delivery method for the entire Newsletter and the Meeting Schedule are now through e-mail. If you want a printed version of the entire text, Newsletter mailed home call the EEP office at 323-343-2287 Just a brief reminder that a student-enhanced version of the EEP Quarterly Newsletter with photos is available on-line at: http://www.eepclub.org. See the Spring 2008 Newsletter For the EEF Newsletter go to: http://www.earlyentrancefoundation.org/peep/newsletter.html

NEWS & NOTICES

Hi EEP Family

I will again provide you my message in several short bursts:

EPP continues to adjust to the move from Student Affairs to Academic Affairs as we adapt to new procedures, supervisors and practices. I have discussed some of the changes at group meetings with the EEPsters.

Please review the enclosed meeting schedules for accuracy and alert us if changes are needed or with any other concern or issue regarding the meeting scheduling. Remember there are three mandatory EEP meetings per quarter, Individual with Lisa (Counselor/clinician) Individual with Jeff (university faculty advisor and Group meetings with me, Rich (Program Director).

Three other reminders

• 1. Advisement Slips are due to my office on the Wednesday before Priority Registration.
• 2. The EEP lounge areas are closed during the break periods. If access is required, please contact the EEP office with your request. EEPsters should spend break periods away from school with family relaxing when ever possible. Take a break please.
• 3. All personal belongings should be removed from the lounge at the end of every quarter. All items left in the lounge (cubby and kitchen areas primarily) will be disposed of during the break. As of March 18th there was still many outerwear items left in the Cubby area (jackets, sweaters, over coats, hats etc) As we don’t have a lot of space anywhere including the small cubby area please do not store personal items long term in the lounge.

As I wrote about in a previous e-mail message, we welcome a new member to the EEP world, Dr Jeffrey Benedict (Music). Dr. Benedict has officially assumed the role of Program faculty advisor. Effective immediately EEPsters will self-schedule their advisement meetings with Jeff instead of Monica. Advisement Slips that come to me are still due the Wednesday before Priority Reg. All else remains the same in EEP, please refer to the e-mail for more details. Jeff’s e-mail address is: jbenedi@calstatela.edu.

Allow me to dispel a myth. EEPsters do not need a 4.0 GPA for grad school acceptance. After meeting with the majority of EEPsters Monica asked me to discuss this notion briefly in the next Newsletter as she has heard from EEPsters multiple times their belief that they must earn straight A’s to get into grad school. Perfectionism is a problem for most gifted students and while a noble concept, to be perfect is not realistic. We have a B average standard(3.0) in EEP not a 4.0 requirement. It is O.K and acceptable to earn a B. Students should assume a Mastery orientation not a Performance orientation in terms of school work (Google either term or check e-mails I have sent previously for more info on these concepts) Here are some things to consider for grad school:

• Strong GPA (3.5 and above is great), this is a B+ average.
• Strong test scores on entrance exams.
• Strong letters of rec. developed over time through building faculty relationships.
• History of Involvement, leadership and extra curricular activities.
• Excellent communication and social skills often developed over time by involvement in activities and peers.
• Focus and passion for a career / academic discipline

I can discuss this subject more in-group meetings and probably will :)

I think we have corrected most problems in e-mail groups and addresses, but this does not mean we have a complete list of working e-mail addresses or that everyone receives all the e-mails we send. E-mail facts of interest:

• On average, we send out one mass e-mail to parents per quarter.
• 95% are directly related to EEPsters, the Program or the University.
• 5% involve other things of interest to parents and students.
• We never sell addresses or transmit e-mail addresses outside of the EEP.
• We never send e-mails soliciting product or service purchases.
• We may only have space available for one parent per family so alert us to your choice if needed.

We are busily readying our selves for a new Provie process beginning with the following:

• Spring testing (April 13th) then,
• Interview Days then the,
• Pre-Summer Orientation then the,
• Summer term of Friday Orientations followed by,
• Small Group Meetings,
• Catalina and a,
• Fall welcome for the new freshman cohort PEEPsters.

We have some busy times ahead and I want you to know in advance that I appreciate and welcome your collective patience and understanding as we continue the important work helping our students in a productive partnership. :)
Thanks EEP Family
Rich
Keep reading for Jeers and Cheers and other messages.

CHEERS & JEERS

• Cheers to all the EEPsters who volunteered at the University’s Human Relations Symposium on February 1, 2008, it was a great success.
• Cheers to all those who help keep the EEP kitchen clean healthy and orderly by cleaning up after themselves and sometimes, others.
• Cheers to Anna Blanco, a special student assistant sent to us from the EPIC (Educational Participation in Communities) office. Anna is a smart, friendly and productive student, who helped greatly in the EEP office over this past quarter, was a blessing and she will be greatly missed. :)
• Jeers to whoever left the gross moldy vegetable tray in the cubby area. :(
• Jeers to all the students who, despite numerous reminders, did not clean out their cubbies and to those who left well over 20 jackets/outerwear on our hat racks. :(
• Jeers to the students who scheduled meetings with EEP staff and did not choose to attend, or reschedule the meeting that they scheduled for themselves. The staff plans their days around you and your scheduled meetings so please be polite and responsible, schedule yourselves when needed, and keep your appointments when possible Communicate with us! We are here to help you! Thank you everyone!

Should any parent want to discuss their child’s performance or if there are any questions or concerns please call the office to schedule a meeting. You may also feel free to call or e-mail me, Jeff, Lisa or Monica. Have a great quarter! Thanks! Rich

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StudenT ContributionS & The EEPC Presidential Message
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No contributions submitted to the offices – See Student enhanced Newsletter version for more information

President’s Message - None submitted as of distribution time

Departmental Message - Please keep the lounge neat and orderly for us all and do not waste resources

PEEP Message - For the latest and greatest on PEEP please read the newsletter at http://www.earlyentrancefoundation.org/peep/newsletter.html

Other EEPClub Stuff - None submitted as of distribution time

Newsletter contributions welcome for Summer 2008 - All rebuttals will be processed