Mia Skala prepares for the annual College Fair held at Santa Monica College early in the morning on October 9, 2018.( Irving Santiago/Corsair Staff)

Crowds gathered to talk to representatives from a wide variety of various respected universities, pitching their programs to prospective transfer students, at Santa Monica College’s (SMC) main campus quad on Tuesday, October 9. The Fall 2019 College Fair, hosted by SMC’s Transfer Counseling and Services, attracts hundreds of SMC students every year who are considering transfer options for their futures.

Tables filled the main campus quad as students milled about, asking questions to representatives, and gathering information about the present schools. Tables belonging to University of California (UC) and California State schools got more attention. Some of the notable state schools in attendance were, Syracuse University, University of Maryland, University of Missouri, University of Arizona, and Arizona State University. The most notable private California schools were Biola University and The University of Southern California.

Students belonging to the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) program on campus were encouraged to attend the event, since they had the option to receive credit for attending workshops and gathering information at the fair. Counselors Jackie Del Banco and Rosilynn Tilly were there to help students in the program to register for their workshop credit.

Janet Robinson, who heads the Transfer Center, was overwhelmed by the number of students who came out. “We do this twice a year, once in the fall once in the spring. We had over 173 schools that RSVP’d. We got a great assortment of schools from UC’s, Cal States, California Private schools, out of states, and international. It’s just always a great event,” said Robinson.

Second year student and fashion design major Justin Murcia discovered new opportunities in his field from visiting the fair. “I’m learning about different careers and ways I can branch out in my major. It gives you more options and other people get informed about this,” said Murcia. “All the art schools are interesting me right now so that’s why…the more art schools there are the more things I can do.”

Marylin Carranza, a second-year student majoring in business and cosmetology, was able to get an insightful look at one of her top school choices, Cal Poly Pomona. “I was talking to Cal Poly…and I haven’t had the chance to tour the school, so it was like a small insider to see if I wanted to do it later,” said Carranza. She found the college fair “very useful” and saw it as a motivation and a reminder that “you’re here for a reason”.

Engineering major Jacky Li took issue with the affair, expressing concerns as to its usefulness for students in the online information age. “You can always look it up online,” said Li in regards to information about schools. Li remained at the fair to aid his friend and while there was able to select schools that interested him the most. “The UC’s interested me the most… UCLA, UC San Diego, and UC Berkeley,” said Li.

Students who were unable to attend this college fair this semester have one to look forward to in the Spring 2019 semester. Additional information regarding the upcoming fair and information about the Transfer Center Services can be found on SMC’s website.