EAOP Alumni Profiles
EAOP targets low-income students attending some of the state's most challenged schools and puts them on track to a college education. EAOP empowers students to envision themselves succeeding in college and guides families with no history of college-going in navigating college options and the complex application process.
EAOP graduates attend all the UC campuses, including UCLA and UC Berkeley. Two of the top private school destinations are USC and Stanford.
EAOP alumni succeed in fields including engineering, politics, law, science, education, medicine, architecture, and business.
To read more about a student's EAOP experience, select a photo below.
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| Are you an EAOP alumnus interested in being profiled here? If so, please send an email message with your name and contact information to eaop@ucop.edu. | ||||||
Julie Tran
Graduating Class
UC Berkeley, Class of 2005
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology
High School
Skyline High (Oakland),
Class of 2000
Current Position
Student in the Doctor of Pharmacy program,
Pacific University, Oregon (Class of 2010)
Julie Tran took advantage of the opportunities provided by EAOP to keep focused on her goal of attending college. During her high school years, Julie dedicated herself to taking care of an ill family member. "It made it difficult to participate in high school activities, but I worked and studied hard. I knew it was important to have a college degree." EAOP provided a culture of support for Julie to pursue her dream of attending college. "Applying to college seemed like the thing to do because all my classmates who were also a part of EAOP were doing it. I just knew that once I was in, I wanted to take advantage of all the opportunities and really enjoy what college had to offer."
A number of EAOP activities exposed Julie to the intellectual and social life of the university. Julie took a college tour of UC Davis during Junior High School, where she shadowed college students, touring the dormitories and campus eateries. "This was a moment I really enjoyed because I had never been to any type of college setting. Everything was new to me."
She also participated in UC Berkeley's summer Pre-College Academy (PCA), where she took math, science, and English courses on the Berkeley campus. The experience not only exposed her to a college environment, but also helped her succeed in college because she gained a head start understanding how lab time and discussion sections functioned. PCA also provided an opportunity for Julie to become comfortable on the campus, and she eventually chose to attend UC Berkeley.
In addition to taking an SAT preparation course, Julie remembers how frequent meetings with her EAOP mentor helped her prepare for college. She learned about the systems of higher education available in California, received feedback on her personal statement, and learned how to apply for financial aid. "My EAOP coordinator was very accessible and it made talking about my plans for the future easy. I felt that my coordinator genuinely cared about my well being. I didn't receive such guidance from others."
"Without EAOP, I would not have been as informed about the process of getting into college. Every year during high school, we would go over my class schedule and make sure I was completing my high school curriculum. Even though I had brothers who went to college, I had a better personal connection with other college-bound students through the program. I was surrounded by students who had similar goals as I did. I was also able to receive guidance from adults who had experience with the UC system." Julie ultimately chose to attend UC Berkeley for three reasons: her experience in PCA, the campus's proximity to home, and the earning of the Achievement Award scholarship.
During her college years, Julie shared her experiences to inspire others to attend college as well. She spoke to EAOP students about how she took advantage of all opportunities to make her way to the University of California. Julie knew early on that she wanted to be in the science field because she enjoyed her high school biology classes. That encouraged her to volunteer at local hospitals, including Summit Medical Center and Summit's rehabilitation center, to gain a general understanding of the health care field. Once in college, Julie began to take an array of science courses for her upper division requirements. "I decided to take Introduction to Pharmacology and Toxicology and I simply loved it. I excelled in it and it was my favorite class during college."
Julie's advice to today's students: "Take a variety of courses during college because you may never know what you enjoy most unless you experience it yourself. Students should explore what their campus has to offer, reach out beyond the campus, and find something that truly motivates them."
Julie has stayed focused on her goals after college by working in local pharmacies to gain experience in her chosen field. She is attending Pacific University, School of Pharmacy, where she is pursuing her Doctor of Pharmacy degree.