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 GEAR UP grant in rural north-central 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 10th-graders. Usable responses were received from 2,311 seventh-graders (85 percent return rate), 1,895 mothers, 1,236 fathers, and 1,812 10th-graders (63 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 10th-grade students were satisfied with GEAR UP. Students' postsecondary plans had been influenced by program activities, particularly college visits. This group had become more aware of college requirements since seventh grade, and about half had discussed academic requirements with family or school staff, compared to less than a fourth when in seventh grade. Recommendations are offered for program improvement. Appendix presents survey questionnaires. (Contains 19 references and 28 data tables and figures) (SV)