| This exploratory study focuses on the long-term educational outcomes of a Pre college outreach program: Puente. Based on interviews with 31 matched pairs of Puente and non-Puente students, I explore whether Puente students had greater levels of college participation, persistence in college, and overall preparedness in relation to their counterparts. Albeit a limited sample, Puente does make a difference in students' college participation, persistence in college, and preparedness. Students generally attributed their success to the knowledge and information gained through the program with the Puente counselor serving as an important |