#1 Transfer School for 33 years
Santa Monica College (SMC) hosted a successful College Fair, drawing many students to one of California's largest college fairs. Held April 25 on the main quad, the fair featured representatives from University of California (UC) schools, California State University (CSU) schools, Marine Corps, out-of-state schools, and international colleges. Colorful tents with representatives lined the walkway, each displaying their school colors with an assortment of flags, magnets, stickers, and pamphlets for any students interested.
The event aimed to present opportunities and aid students in the application process, providing the required steps for students to reach their transfer goals. University of Santa Barbara (UCSB) college representative Bestabe Morales said, “Sometimes we get Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) students who are, like, ‘I tagged, but I didn't get in.’ It's because they didn't meet the requirements; therefore, it's not guaranteed.”
Morales highlighted the importance of understanding the intricacies of admission processes before pinning hopes on “guarantees.” Attending workshops or events like the College Fair helps students prepare for a smooth transfer.
Transfer counselor Erika Knox emphasized that the fair “gives students the power of choice.” Knox pointed out that the priority question should be whether or not the school offers a student’s desired major. There are several highly-ranked academic schools that have limited specific niche majors, and ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to make the decision to transfer based on their major or the university. Knox said, “Always apply and always come to the College Fair.”
Vanetta Alston, an SMC student with an undecided major, was on the lookout for esthetician schools and programs that were preferably in-state. She explained how informative and well-planned the fair made it to get her questions answered, specifically mentioning the layout and walking spaces felt thoroughly organized.
The UC booths were surrounded by crowds, with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) being notably the most favored choice. Sina Delfanazari, a computer science major, said he did not look at any other tents besides UCLA “because this is my first pick and that's it.” If Delfanazari doesn't get in, he is aiming for the University of Southern California (USC). He feels a degree from UCLA is powerful, as many employers favor degrees from the school, and he believes the connections made there will line up a job for him in the future.
According to the UC Information Center, SMC has remained the number one transfer college to the UC system for the past 33 years. SMC also acts as a funnel to top schools like Loyola Marymount University (LMU), USC, and several others. The Fair proves the significance of actively participating in opportunities that offer guidance and information crucial for educational success. By empowering students to make informed decisions about their academic futures. Potentially saving them from wasting years of their time and thousands of dollars on missteps.
