What is MESA?
MESA stands for Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement.
The community college MESA program provides academic support for students interested in math, science or engineering with the goal of transferring to a four-year institution. Some of the ways we support students:
A Study Center
Academic Excellence Workshops
Academic, career and financial aid advising
Transfer assistance
Assistance in applying for scholarships, internships and research experiences for undergraduates
Field trips
Related enrichment programs
Cabrillo College was the first MESA program at the community college level, and has been in existence since 1988. MESA programs exist at about one third of the community colleges in California to support low-income high need students in math-based majors to a successful university transfer.
Are you eligible for the MESA Program?
Do you meet all of these academic conditions?
Transfer Major Conditions
Do you intend to transfer to and obtain a degree from a 4-year university majoring in one or more of the following:
- Mathematics
- Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Petroleum, etc.)
- Computer science
- Life science (Biology, Botany, Environmental Science, Agriculture, etc.)
- Physical science (Chemistry, Astronomy, Physics, Oceanography, Geology, etc.)
- Health occupations (pre-med, physical therapy, pre-Vet, pre-Dental etc.)
Educational Conditions
At least one of the following is true
- You are the first in your family to attend college
- You began community college with a math assessment at or below Elementary Algebra (Math 154)
- Your high school had low API scores, from US Dept of Education records
- You are a member of EOPS
Economic Conditions
At least one of the following is true
- You are eligible for the community college Board of Governors' Waiver, or BOGW
(Visit the financial aid office and complete the one-page application to determine this)
- You qualify for some other kind of financial aid--state or federal.