Mentoring for Academic and Professional Success

An informational website for former foster youth interested in earning graduate degrees and moving on into professional careers.

Mentoring for Academic and Professional Success

mission

To provide the knowledge needed to create a competitive application for California's former foster youth interested in graduate and professional degrees.

Young adults with lived experience in foster care often face obstacles when pursuing advanced degrees. This site offers the information and support needed for success.

our mission

We help California’s former foster youth apply to graduate programs and professional schools by providing the knowledge and funds that help each applicant create a competitive application and succeed.

During our four years of working with alumni of care, we discovered some of the obstacles they face when pursuing advanced degrees and concurrently provided support to enable their success.

our mission

Our Alumni

CLAUDIA MENDEZ

Behavioral Health Clinical Social Worker
San Francisco Department of Public Health

BA in Comparative World Literature, SFSU
Master of Social Work, SFSU

Applying to graduate school seemed like an impossible goal as I did not have the strongest education growing up. But I was lucky to meet professors and mentors that believed in me. I have strong engagement skills that allow me to help vulnerable and diverse populations and I am grateful I found the assistance I needed to become a professional social worker. The support I received with my writing for the MSW application was invaluable. I will forever be grateful and look forward to paying it forward throughout my life.

VALERIE ACEVEDO

Assistant Development Manager
National Community Renaissance

BA in Anthropology, CSU Fullerton
Master of Public Policy, UC Irvine

I received guidance through the entire application process. This helped keep me on track to meet deadlines. I received a good understanding of various graduate programs and how to decide which best fit my needs and interests. I was coached in how to develop relationships with faculty, staff and students to understand each graduate program and also help build my professional network. Most helpful was the support I received on my applications and the guidance on how to clearly articulate my life, work experience, academic history and career goals.

DR. JOHN PAUL HORN

Assistant Professor of Social Work
CSU East Bay

BA in Liberal Studies, CSU Bakersfield
Master of Social Work, University of Iowa
PhD in Social Work, Boston University

I applied to eight different PhD programs over the course of three months and it was a lot of writing and preparation. Each university required something slightly different. I was very appreciative of the coaching for writing the essays, especially with some nuances about self-presentation. I also needed guidance on how to prepare for the GRE. The advice I received on using a specific low-cost preparation software was invaluable and helped me secure a competitive score for doctoral programs. The MAPS program can help many more students and I’m happy to be a mentor.

Funders and Partners

This website provides the knowledge every prospective student needs to create a competitive application and successfully gain admission to graduate school.

about

For students

Discover

Timeline

Application Process

Financing your Degree

CONTACT

For questions about website

coordinators@maps-ca.org

530-350-6580