Students looking to transfer from Ventura College received an abundance of help and guidance at the annual Transfer Day on Nov. 5. The campus quad was lined up with representatives from over 60 colleges and universities.
Aseneth Cota, a Ventura College counselor, coordinated the event.
“It’s that time of year again,” she said. “Students planning to go to a four-year school have the opportunity to get the right information about transferring from a direct source from the school of their choice.”
Hundreds of students gathered in the quad to meet with the various representatives.
“We have about 200 students rolling in and out every hour,” said Cota, who was very pleased with the turnout. “There are definitely more students this year than last.”
Among the major universities that made appearances at Transfer Day were campuses from the UC-system, including Berkeley, UCLA, UC Santa Cruz and UC San Diego, and schools in the Cal State-system, including Humbolt State University, CSU Fresno, Chico State, CSU Northridge and CSU Channel Islands.
Private and independent colleges were also in attendance, including the University of New Mexico, Westmont College, Paul Mitchell of Santa Barbara and Fresno Pacific University.
As a first for Transfer Day, students from three local high schools were also in attendance. Students from Santa Paula, Hueneme and Channel Islands High Schools were given a list of questions to ask university delegates. Students who completely answered the questionnaires were eligible to win one of twelve raffled iTunes gift cards. The grand prize raffle winner received a brand new iPod.
Cota explained the significance of this exercise.
“It helps high school students get motivated,” she said. “By asking the questions from the list we’ve provided them, they’re acquiring more knowledge about transferring and about universities in general.”
Ventura College student Justin Moraga, 19, found the university representatives to be extremely helpful.
“They answered all of my questions well,” said Moraga, a political science major. “I’m particularly interested in the UCs and I want to find out if I’m a worthy applicant.”
The college representatives provided students with flyers, pamphlets, and various merchandise such as pencils, highlighters, and pennants. Of the different information each school presented, one piece of advice consistently remained the same:
“Apply as soon as possible,” encouraged Rocky Raquel, a representative from Chico State University. “Twelve of the 23 Cal State campuses are impacted, so get your applications in fast, the sooner, the better.”
Jose Jauregui, a representative from Cal State University Fresno, also urged students to make their decisions quickly.
“Make sure to turn in that application now,” he said. “If any courses are in progress, shoot for a C or better.”
