Universities visit campus for transfer fair
Besides the common questions money was the hot topic at the first in-state private and out-of-state college fair on Feb. 9 held in the Student Services Center’s hallway due to unexpected weather.
In the academic year 2006-2007 about 1,500 students transferred, today many more are on the process to transfer due to the cut in classes, budget cuts and the current economy crisis. The Transfer Center staff brought to campus even more options of colleges for students. Many of whom are not as popular as the UC universities or Cal States but still have a lot to offer, specially in monetary funds.
Counselor Sarah Kobata explains the staff, who put the fair together, wanted “to let students know that there are other colleges out there that they may have not considered,” she then added “specially with budget cuts students may consider them as options.”
And many did. Students asked about tuition, financial aid and scholarships the schools may offer.
Brittani Miranda’s, 19, undecided, most important question is, “Tuition. Like University of Hawaii, you can get a grant for living in California ‘cause they want people from here.”
“Obviously they are looking for cost, but also looking for financial aid benefits. Making sure if it is the same as it would be for a state school. And it is,” said Jon Paul Hernandez, an associate director of University Outreach from Argosy University, “they wanna find out more information about private colleges specially with a lot of the cutbacks in state schools, private colleges are a little more appealing to students.”
Students are looking everywhere for money. Bianca Bailey, 19, psychology who plans to transfer by the spring of next year and a student trustee of the district said, “I don’t have any financial aid. I actually plan on going looking for scholarships and grants. I really refuse to get a loan ‘cause I don’t wanna be in debt. I mean my parents are still paying off for their college. and I just can’t do it. I refuse.”
In addition to financial help students still came in to find traditional information, reassurance of the college of their choice and/or see their options for transferring.
Counselor Jennifer Forster, who was at the Transfer Center booth commented on which colleges they wanted to get into the fair, “Colleges that are the most popular with our students and also private colleges that are accredited. So they are regionally accredited private schools.” In addition, the booth was also bombarded with the usual questions like what classes to take, and transfer agreements.
“You learn more about what interests you, like the college you wanna go to and you kinda start getting excited about it. Motivation kind of,” Kelly Nakashima, 20, hospitality, also added “I learn more about it just to make sure this is exactly what I wanna do. And talking to someone that is from the school, representing the school it helps.”
Anthony Marquina, 18, History attended to the fair and an out-of-state workshop, “I was interested in out of state transfer. I wanted more information, it’s my first semester here.” He added, “I was actually looking at my options, U of A and UNM.
I wanted to try something new. “
The well attended fair had several students peek out to the tables where brochures, posters and tons of information was provided for them. Schools like University Of Arizona, the University of New Mexico, Argosy University, Hawaii Pacific University, Arizona State University, The University of Hawaii, the University of Phoenix, Johnson and Wales University, Vanguard University, Pepperdine (Irvine), California Baptist, Hope International were among the few who conducted workshops after the fair.
To get questions answered, pick up information or get a better idea for the transfer process you can visit the Transfer Center in SSC 140, or make an appointment on Fridays before 12:00 p.m. by calling the number (949) 582-4328.