What if I’m not sure I want to leave New Mexico for college?

That’s okay! We only ask for students to keep an open mind, and to be willing to talk to their families about the possibility of attending college out of state. Being admitted to a college in New Mexico or somewhere else in the U.S. does not mean that you have to attend, but it does mean that you get to make a meaningful and informed choice about where you attend college. Sometimes, that can even mean a paid visit trip to see if the school and distance is right for you. Historically, just over half of ROCA participants have pursued college out of state, often at the same or cheaper cost than they would have paid attending a school in New Mexico.

How do you select participants for ROCA New Mexico?

At ROCA, we are looking for rural first-generation students who are generally doing well in school, who like to learn, and who are excited about the possibility of pursuing their college degree outside of New Mexico. Students should be curious, open to new experiences, and have a willingness to engage deeply with the ROCA New Mexico program. In addition to considering academic qualifications, we employ a holistic approach to reviewing student applications, considering extracurricular activities, essay responses, and perspectives from teachers, counselors, parents and guardians. Counselors, teachers, admission professionals, and former ROCA participants are part of the selection committee.

Who is eligible to apply for ROCA?

We know that there is no one definition of a rural experience. However, we also know that there are experiences that students growing up outside of larger cities have in common, despite the diversity of languages, backgrounds, experiences, and cultures that exist throughout New Mexico. To be eligible to apply for ROCA, students should:

• Have an experience they would characterize as rural, farming/ranching, or living in a small town. Generally, students in Santa Fe and Albuquerque are not eligible to apply.

• Be in the first generation in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Please see the FAQ Page on the Davis New Mexico Scholarship website to see if you meet our definition of a first-generation college-going student.

• Be a current junior in high school with a GPA at or above 3.0, and be taking some of the most challenging classes offered at your high school.

  • Current 9th and 10th graders can let us know they’re interested by submitting an interest form.

• Preference is given to students not enrolled in another program affiliated with the Davis New Mexico Scholarship. You can find a list of Davis New Mexico Scholarship affiliates here. (Students may apply to both ROCA NM and College Horizons; we try and coordinate dates so that a student can attend both.)

What if I need help with my application?

Please reach out to us for help! Send an email to mybarra@rocanm.org. Screenshots of error messages or complications are especially helpful.

What if family members have questions about ROCA NM?

They should contact Matt Ybarra at mybarra@rocanm.org.