From island heat to Vermont snow: How VSAC’s GEAR UP helped OJ find his future

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It felt like the right fit.”Now a senior at Champlain College, OJ is double majoring in film and finance. My favorite thing to do is watch Christmas movies.”High school was where OJ started testing out his interests. My advisor Jason talked to me about different paths—traditional college programs or the independent route, like making music videos or filming for businesses. FAFSA has a handful of questions that don’t feel super direct, and GEAR UP helped me figure them out. Champlain College ticked all the boxesWhen it came time to choose a college, OJ relied on the network of support he had built.