Project GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded program focused on encouraging disadvantaged youth to have high expectations, stay in school, and take academically rigorous courses to prepare them for college. A 5-year GEAR UP grant in rural southern West Virginia funds academic and support services for seventh-grade students and their parents and follows those students for 4 years. This report summarizes findings from two sets of surveys administered in fall 2002: a baseline survey of incoming seventh-graders and their parents, and a follow-up survey of ninth-graders. Usable responses were received from 1,371 seventh-graders (68 percent return rate), 979 mothers, 660 fathers, and 1,301 ninth-graders (85 percent return rate). Overall, seventh-grade students had positive views of their academic abilities and efforts, and their parents' perceptions were similarly positive. Student and parent aspirations were high for students' postsecondary education. Students viewed parents and teachers as their best sources of information about college, but only a third of parents felt knowledgeable on the subject. Most ninth-grade students were satisfied with GEAR UP. Students' postsecondary plans had been influenced by program activities, particularly college campus visits. This group showed a 10 percent gain since seventh grade in their knowledge of college requirements and a 12 percent increase in having discussed academic requirements with family or school staff. However, only a third had held such conversations with school staff. Recommendations are offered for program improvement. Appendix presents survey questionnaires. (Contains 19 references and 33 data tables and figures) (SV)