Educational Talent Search (ETS)

ETS is a federally funded program through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education that helps prepare high school students for success in postsecondary education free of charge. The goal of ETS is to provide information and services to eligible high school students who demonstrate potential and a desire to pursue postsecondary education.  Eligible participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be economically disadvantaged, and be a potential first-generation to college student.

*Educational Talent Search has been sponsored on the Cal Poly Pomona Campus since 2011

As part of the Pre-College Institute/TRIO Programs, ETS is one of nine U.S. Department of Education funded pre-college opportunities available from Cal Poly Pomona.

The Educational Talent Search (ETS) Program at Cal Poly Pomona is designed to generate the skills and motivation necessary for success in education beyond high school among low-income and potential first-generation college students who are enrolled in Chino High School, Chino Valley Learning Academy, and Don Antonio Lugo High School.  ETS assists students in successful completion of high school and entry into postsecondary education by accomplishing program goals and objectives.  All services and activities are offered and provided at no cost to participants or their families.  Each program component is geared to assist students to become (1) more informed of the educational, social, and cultural opportunities available at postsecondary institutions, (2) acquaint participants with the range of career options available to them, (3) assist students in developing and implementing effective life skills, and (4) assist students in successfully gaining admittance and being retained at postsecondary institutions.

A total of 1,000 students participate in this year-round program.  Participants are selected from Chaffey High School, Chino High School, Chino Valley Learning Academy, Don Lugo High School, Montclair High School, and Ontario High School. Students participate until their high school graduation.  Once students gain admission to a postsecondary institution of their choice, they are admitted into programs that help to retain students in college until graduation.  All students are tracked for up to six years after high school graduation or until they successfully complete a postsecondary education degree program of study.