From Academic Probation to Thriving in Grad School: Cely Pablo’s Academic Journey with ScholarMatch

By ScholarMatch

“I remember being a freshman, and we had to check in once every two weeks. That was perfect for me because I needed support — consistent support. And talking to an advisor on a bi-weekly basis was perfect because I had new questions, I had new concerns, and I needed someone to hear me out.” — Cely Pablo, Class of 2024

As a first-generation student from the Mission District in San Francisco, CA, Cely Pablo grew up believing that college was out of reach, but in her junior year of high school, that all changed when she discovered ScholarMatch.

This turning point not only sparked her curiosity but also paved the way for her to navigate the college application process and overcome the academic challenges that led her to graduate school.

How ScholarMatch supports students like Cely

Cely began her journey with ScholarMatch through the Destined for College program, where she was matched with a college coach who helped her tackle all things related to college admissions, including:

• College essay preparation
• Financial aid application and scholarship support
• College list-building and more!

During this time, Cely focused on completing ScholarMatch’s College-Ready Milestones, a step-by-step guide designed to help students stay on track with their application process and prepare them to qualify for the ScholarMatch Scholars Program. Through ScholarMatch’s college persistence program, scholars have access to robust college and career mentoring and flexible scholarships that can be used toward tuition and other school-related expenses.

Cely applied to the Scholars Program and was ecstatic to learn she was accepted. Thanks to ScholarMatch’s long-standing partnership with O’Melveny, a global law firm with over 800 lawyers in 18 offices, she received a flexible college scholarship, providing four years of financial support.

Navigating Academic Probation

The college journey can be daunting, especially for first-generation students who often face unique challenges that can affect their academic goals. These obstacles can range from financial constraints to a lack of familial support due to their parents’ unfamiliarity with the college system.

For Cely, getting into the college of her dreams, UC San Diego, was not necessarily the hard part, but persisting through the full four years was proving to be a challenge.

Cely didn’t fully understand the grading system, which led to a decline in her GPA and overall academic performance in her first year. These hurdles put her at risk of being disqualified from attending UC San Diego.

“I was on academic probation during my first year of college. I did not know how to navigate anything. I was scared. I was very unfamiliar with a lot of things, but ScholarMatch was there to check in with me,” she recalled.

According to the Education Advisory Board, 33% of first-generation students drop out within three years, compared to only 14% of continuing-generation students. In a brief released in 2024 by the Ballard Center for Social Impact, the three main contributing factors to students dropping out of college include:

• Financial obstacles
• Lack of academic preparation
• Hidden curriculum and cultural mismatch

“I remember being a freshman, and I had to check in with my ScholarMatch advisor once every two weeks. That was perfect for me because I needed consistent support,” added Cely.

These regular check-ins helped her map out a plan to get out of academic probation and meet her educational goals. Her coach went over the syllabus and curriculum to clarify any questions Cely had. Another suggestion was for Cely to fully utilize campus resources, such as meeting with her college counselor, department advisor, and Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) advisor.

After a rough start, Cely felt more confident navigating the school system and had a better sense of what questions to ask her advisors and how to use her resources to reach her academic and career goals.

Full-Time Work While In College

Cely had opted for the nursing track and knew she needed clinical hours to get into the program. That’s when she discovered the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) program, a rigorous, hands-on training program that could also count as her clinical hours.

“It was really hard at first to balance full-time work and school. It still is now, but I found a way to manage my time better. I did have some hiccups here and there. I didn’t do so well in my classes when I first started working as a full-time EMT because it was graveyard shifts, and it was a lot for me. But I had to get it done. I’m living here. I have bills to pay,” reflected Cely.

Balancing work and college is a common challenge, especially for first-generation students. In 2020, 43% of full-time undergraduate students had jobs, while 10% were employed 35 hours or more a week (NCES, 2022).

However, studies suggest that working students are often negatively impacted by the competing demands of balancing school and full-time jobs, which can also impact their mental health in the long run.

For Cely, working as an EMT not only helped her financially but also provided her with practical experience in her field of study, which she could apply to her academic coursework.

From College to Graduate School

After completing her undergraduate studies, Cely considered a break from academics. However, a conversation with her ScholarMatch advisor sparked a new idea of applying to graduate school. With her advisor’s encouragement, Cely applied and was accepted to Arizona State University.

After graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in Health Communications from UC San Diego, Cely began graduate school online in the summer of 2024.

She is still working full-time as an EMT and is now a candidate for a Master of Arts in Emergency Management and Homeland Security, specializing in Emergency Management.

Cely’s experience is a testament to her perseverance, resourcefulness, and ability to leverage her ScholarMatch network, which served as a constant source of support and guidance throughout her college journey.

Join ScholarMatch and Make a Difference

Whether you’re a student in need of college application support, a volunteer wanting to help students thrive, or an education champion dedicated to addressing educational gaps in our country, ScholarMatch has the right opportunity for you to make a difference.

• For students: Are you a first-generation student? Need help with your college application? Check out our Destined for College program for free college admissions assistance.
• For volunteers: You can make a difference for other first-generation students like Cely! By becoming a college coach, you can make a lasting impact on students’ academic trajectories.
• For community partners: Collaborate with us to provide crucial support to first-generation students. Learn more about our partnership opportunities and how you can get involved.
• For other education champions: Invest in programs that help boost the confidence of first-generation students, ensuring they have the resources to succeed beyond college. Learn how you can donate, sponsor a scholarship, or partner with ScholarMatch.

Together, we can help first-generation students achieve their college dreams and career goals! Learn more at www.scholarmatch.org