By Camille Tanner

Nanette Lefrandt grew up in Hawaii, far from the mountains and snow of Utah. She wanted to go to BYU, but was nervous about the application process. She came to Provo to participate in SOAR, a college preparation program sponsored by Multicultural Student Services.

"I came to get a better idea of what college would be like," Lefrandt said. "I loved the campus and the people. I had a really great experience."

The SOAR program aims to educate prospective students who will enrich the community with their various talents and cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

The five-day program provides tours of campus, ACT preparation classes and the ACT exam.

"It helped me get ready academically," Lefrandt said. "And they taught life lessons. They talked about spiritual things, teamwork and solving conflicts."

The program explains the application process, the need to apply early for housing and how to sign up for a meal plan.

And the help didn't end when the week was over, Lefrandt said.

"SOAR gets you connected to the office. When we had a question we felt we could call." Lefrandt said. "They gave us specific instructions and went through it step by step."

Lefrandt's mother, Joye, said she appreciated the help

"They knew all the deadlines and how to register for classes," Joye Lefrandt said. "I didn't have to do any of that, because SOAR taught them what to do and they did it on their own."

Three of Joye Lefrandt's children have participated in the program.

"They all loved it." Joye Lefrandt said. "Their attitude about college changed after SOAR. It went from 'I should go to college,' to 'I'm excited to go.'"

Ninety percent of students admitted to BYU last year were not from ethnic backgrounds, according to BYU communications.

"For multicultural students it may be intimidating applying to a school that is predominantly white," Joye Lefrandt said. "Sometimes they don't have a lot of confidence. Then they go to SOAR and see all of these other multicultural students who are outstanding, and it inspires them."

The cost for SOAR is $275. This fee covers housing, meals, ACT test and manual, academic materials, activities, and SOAR T-shirt. And the program offers financial aid.

"It is an excellent deal," Joye Lefrandt said. "It is very cost effective for room and board for five days and programs about college life."

The only complaint Joye Lefrandt expressed is that in some cases the program comes too late.

"Once they go through, they realize how important college is and how much they really want to go," she said "But they don't have the grades to get in. By that point there isn't much they can do."

Program coordinators said they feel it is never too early to talk about college. Katherine Willis, a student coordinator, talked to a group of elementary students about college prep programs.

"You can take classes before you even go to college, just to get ready." Willis said. "If you don't know what to do, there will be someone to help."

Multicultural Student Services has extended their program to prepare students earlier.

"We decided we needed to invite younger students to participate," said Sam Brown, director of SOAR. "So we started Expedition for eighth grade."

Multicultural Student Services also provide the Foundations program for ninth grade and Connections program for tenth grade.

The one-day programs provide grade-specific information and resources to help prospective students and their parents get prepared for college opportunities.

"Parents who have never gone to college learn about the application process and form support groups," Brown said.

The success of SOAR, and related programs, can be measured many ways. Three years ago, 80 percent of those who came to SOAR and applied to BYU got in. Surveys also showed an increase in students who decided to go to college after attending the program.

Teachers have noticed a change in students who participate.

"My two students who participated last summer in SOAR both became Sterling Scholars, and both love BYU," said Sharon Kent, a teacher at a southern Utah high school. "SOAR definitely makes a difference."

Everyone benefits from the program, Brown said.

"As much as it benefits them, I don't want to diminish how beneficial it is for BYU and the church in general," he said. "Regardless of where they go, they will be leaders in the community and workforce. They provide new perspectives for those around them and have a chance to share their culture."

After completing the SOAR program Nanette Lefrandt was accepted to BYU. She now works as a counselor for the program and says she loves her job.

"When kids come to SOAR they get a better vision of their life," Lefrandt said. "For first generation college goers, it means hope."