The Academic Achievement Programs (AAP) is a student services department, which promotes academic excellence among UC Berkeley undergraduates. AAP works in partnership with students, faculty, and professional staff to provide scholarly activities and comprehensive academic support services. AAP students represent a diverse group of scholars and leaders. Our office serves student from low-income backgrounds, students whose parents did not graduate from college, and/or students from underrepresented groups. One of AAP’s primary goals is to provide academic support services to prepare students to go beyond their undergraduate degree and continue on to pursue advanced degrees. AAP services include research fellowships with faculty and courses for credit in coordination with academic departments. AAP provide counseling, advising, tutoring, and academic workshops and seminars, which are essential components to student success. AAP also sponsors a national research symposium, in which selected scholars present their research. Scholars also publish their work in an AAP sponsored research journal. These activities give students the opportunity to participate in Berkeley’s tradition of research excellence.