Parental involvement and engagement is an imperative component of the VIP Scholars Program. Parents are encouraged and expected to be active agents in their childrenıs education, therefore, VIP Scholars provides four Saturday Academies annually. Each Saturday Academy focuses on central themes and issues surrounding access to higher education. During Saturday Academies, parents and students are informed on how to be advocates for their education. Saturday Academies include:

• Campus tours
  
• Writing workshops
  
• Discussions with faculty about innovative academic programs and research opportunities
  
• Information about preparing admissions applications, financial aid and scholarships
  
• Seminars regarding college majors and career paths
  

Parent Nights were coordinated in response to several high school counselorsı discontent with the low levels of parental involvement at their schools. The VIP Scholars Program took action and developed new strategies to attract parents to school sponsored events. The VIP Scholars Program collaborates with school counselors to host College Nights for students and parents at 11 high schools. Parent Night topics include:

• Learn how to get your child admitted to college
  
• Learn how to pay for college (financial aid/scholarships)
  
• Hear about campus life from UCLA students
  
• Meet UCLA students, faculty, staff and alumni
  
• Find out about services provided to you and your family by UCLAıs VIP Scholars Program
  

Buddy Days are unique opportunities for high school students to experience being a UCLA student for a day. Each high school student is paired with a UCLA student within their field of interest. They shadow UCLA students throughout their daily schedules to provide students with a realistic view of college life. Students tour the campus, attend courses, visit the residential halls, and get their individual questions answered from UCLA students. In addition to providing students with a glimpse of college life at UCLA, the VIP Scholars Program also organizes UC application workshops to make students and counselors aware of important deadlines, course and exam requirements, and suggestions for personal statements.

Students who attend Buddy Days are predominately low-income, first-generation, African American students from underserved communities in Los Angeles and Pasadena, California. For many of the students, the program not only disseminates information regarding the college admissions process and exposes students to UCLA, but also ensures a higher pool of underrepresented applicants to UCLA.