Paul Tran

Paul Tran of San Rafael immigrated to the United States from Saigon with his family when he was eight years old. With a family of four living on limited financial resources, Paul didn’t see how his family could afford to send him to college.

Luckily, through former Marin Education Fund scholarship recipient and current board member Saul Peña, Paul was introduced to Marin Education Fund’s Summer Application Institute—an intensive weeklong college preparatory program that helps disadvantaged youth apply for and succeed in college. Seven years ago, Saul gave a presentation to an auditorium of students at San Rafael High School on Marin Education Fund’s scholarships and college access programs. That day changed Paul’s life: he realized that college wasn’t just a dream but an achievable goal.

Paul became the first person in his family to go to college. He explains, “In high school I was so focused on making the grades, that I didn’t even think about how I was going to afford to go to college. Participating in Summer Application Institute changed my life.” “With the help of my advisors and mentor, John Scarborough, I learned how to write my college entry essay and get the money I needed to pay for college,” said Paul.

With financial support from generous supporters who contribute through Marin Education Fund, Paul graduated with a B.A. in Economics and Finance from the University of San Francisco. Paul is now with CB Richard Ellis Group in New York while pursing his Master’s in Statistics and Marketing at Cornell University. “This job opportunity came up while I was attending USF. Education has definitely opened many doors for me.”

Paul’s experience through Marin Education Fund’s Summer Application Institute was so positive that he hopes to one day give back by becoming a student mentor. “Thank you to all those people who took the time to help me achieve my educational dreams. I’m a living testament to what Marin Education Fund has to offer to the students of Marin.”

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