Interview with a Transfer Student

1. Do you believe CC was a good choice for you?
Yes, I do believe CC was the right choice for me. When I graduated high school I had no idea what I wanted to do with my future. CC allowed me the opportunity to really figure out what major I wanted and the type of higher education I wanted to pursue.

2. What was a positive about attending a CC? What was a negative aspect about going to a CC?
                The positive about attending a CC was the cost. I was able to get all my General Ed classes completed for way less than it would have been at a University. The negative about attending a community college is that it is really easy to get stuck there. You can take your time and switch majors so easily that students end up losing motivation to continue to a university.

3. What types of programs helped you stay on track to transfer?
I wasn’t involved in any programs, during CC. It was mostly the support from my family that kept me on track to transfer.

4. If you would have chosen to not attend college, where do you think you'd be right now?
                Honestly, I would probably still be working at Klondike Pizza.

5. Since you are a transfer student, how was the transition from a CC to a University?
                The transfer from Hancock College to Cal Poly was really rough my first quarter. CP is on the quarter system, so classes are only 11 weeks unlike AHC’s 16 week semester schedule. I had to learn how to handle a bigger work load in a shorter amount of time. I was reading 3-4 novels a week and having to write research papers almost every 2 weeks.  It was quite an adjustment. Also AHC had not prepared me to write a university level research paper. I had to take an additional writing and research class just to get up to speed with my peers.

6. Do you think college prepared you for the real world in anyway?
                Yes, I think college did help prepare me for the real world. College taught me discipline, determination, time management, team work, and commitment. I think these characteristics are extremely important because they are crucial in further developing our personal and professional lives.

7. What stresses you out the most in college?
                Money stresses me out the most about college. It cost so much and it doesn’t even guarantee you a job.

8. What is the difference between the professors at a CC and a University?
                In my experience there’s a huge difference between professors at a CC and a University. The instructors at a CC don’t really have a flair for their subject. They also don’t want to be challenged; they expect you to agree with everything they teach. Most of them seem to just be counting down the days until they retire. Professors at a University are so passionate about their subject, their passion becomes contagious. Also they encourage you to challenge them and do not take offense if students do not agree with what they are teaching. They really want students to go outside the box and draw their own interpretations and conclusions from the class.

9. Were you ever involved with any organizations, Greek life, clubs, ect? If so did it help you out in anyway?
                I didn’t have time to get involved in anything while at Cal Poly. Between work, school, and my commute I had no time for extracurricular activity.

10. How long did it take you to decide what to major in?
                It took me one semester at AHC to decide to be a history major. I loved History, so it just made sense to continue learning about it.

11. What is the best advice you have gotten about college? And what is the best advice you can give future students entering the college life?
                The only advice I have really gotten is to not give up because all my hard work will pay off in the end.  My advice to future students is to pick a major or area of study not because of the money you could possibly make from it, but because you genuinely like it. All the money in the world won’t make doing what you hate worth it.

12. Because you attended a CC and soon transferred, did this allow you the freedom to explore with class options before you figured out what major you wanted to pursue? And if you had went straight to a four-year, do you believe you would of been able to explore the variety of classes the CC offers?
I knew fairly early that I wanted to be a History major so I didn’t need to explore other class options. If I would have went to a University right after high school I think I would have chosen the same major. The university does allow you to explore classes with electives and General Ed classes.

College Talk with Paula and Trenton

College Talk with Dr. Preston

Community College vs University: Picking what is best for you!

Tight on Money   $ ?

-Well if your a high school senior and you do not have a job didn't apply for many scholarships/or received enough then how are you going to pay for your schooling? Having to pay for your own education can be an overwhelming thought when you a high school senior. But if you truly want to attend a University but you are just not able to pay for it, if your not eligible to receive enough financial aid, scholarships or do not want to be taking out loans then community college is for you. You save a ton of money and it was always a great beginning to reach your pursuit for higher education.

Unsure if a four year is for you?

- If you feel during your senior year unsure with what you plan to do with life after high school then community college is a great stepping stone. Not many students can handle the heavy workload Universities tend to have for the students. Being a university student means you must become an independent adult in a matter of two months max. Some students can not handle the overwhelming pressure to grow up and begin to think and work for themselves. 

What type of major to pursue?

- Because Universities are becoming so competitive now a days, they require you to have an idea in what you plan to major in. Many students are undeclared because they still haven't found what there passion is. And if your a university student exploring the variety of classes that your school offers then maybe it wasn't the best idea to enter straight into a four-year. So that's why it is good to think ahead and try out different fields of study before you find the right one.

High School career wasn't good enough or to your best ability...

-Many students tend to not focus as much in High School and choose to mess around. Well that isn't the best plan out there because it just means falling behind and later having to pay the price your senior year and re-taking classes that you failed in. Because of these choices you weren't granted the choice to apply to a four year. But registering to a CC it allows you to improve you work ethic and it enables you to later transfer with an outstanding G.P.A. because you were able to focus more on your academics.

http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/highered/res/cc_tips/SixReasons05.pdf

Pros and Cons About a CC vs University

PROS - CC

- Cost of tuition is lower

- Flexible scheduling

-Smaller class sizes

- Opportunity to explore major options

-Transferable classes

 CONS - CC

- Limited curriculum

- Lighter workload

- Uninvolved students 

-Campus life (lacks)

http://www.scholarships.com/resources/college-prep/choosing-the-right-school/the-pros-and-cons-of-community-colleges/

PROS - University

- Affordable Tuition, Particularly For In-State Students

-Dynamic Atmosphere

- On-Campus employment opportunity

- Loyal Student Body

-Flexibility

-Knowledgeable Instructors

-Challenging courses

CONS - University  

-Finding out Information

-Availability of classes

- Accessibility of Professors

-Students may get lost in the crowd (poor social skills)

http://www.scholarships.com/resources/college-prep/choosing-the-right-school/the-pros-and-cons-of-state-universities/

Words of Wisdom from Cody and Ryan

Cody (left) and Ryan (right) are both studying at Allan Hancock College. Cody is studying Photography and Ryan is studying Film and Video Production and they both would like to transfer to San Francisco State.

ME: What are your reasons for going to Community College? 

CODY: I wanted to go to Hancock first so I could do my general ed. quietly and cheap and I was also able to stay at home. So right now we just finished our second semester and since we are doing really good with general ed we are on track to transfer.

RYAN: My reasons for going to Hancock are pretty much the same as hers. With the major that I am going into, experience is very helpful as to pursuing a career out of it and Hancock is not only ranked Top 5 as one of the best Junior Colleges in the state, but their film program is very diverse and has a lot of programs and  areas of interest that you can do and so I wanted to go to Hancock not only because it was cheap and affordable but I could better myself in film knowledge that I can carry when I transfer.


ME: Do you believe Community College was a good choice?

CODY: Yes because not everyone knows what they want to do. I am changing my major, personally from when I got into Hancock and it's only been a year. So Hancock serves as a cushion for you to decide and makes it easier to adjust into things, like dipping your toe in to test the waters. You're not just jumping right into college so it was calming and not so stressful going to Hancock.
RYAN: The same!






ME:What is a positive about Community College and what is a negative?

RYAN: You are familiar with the area and you are comfortable.

CODY: A negative is that you kind of feel like you might be trapped a little because your friends went off to college and you stayed here but all my friends stayed to study here but I still feel like I could've probably done it but I still think its the better choice. If you're not sure or if you need to save money, Hancock is the better choice.



ME:What is helping you stay on track in order to transfer?

RYAN: The counseling office! They have a transfer center so they not only help you pick classes for your major but also classes that help you transfer on. We both met with a transfer counselor and I don't have to worry about my schedule for next year because it is already set! And the counselors there went to school to be transfer counselors so they know exactly what they are doing.



ME: Any other advice you would like to give to student that will be attending Community College next year?

CODY: Don't feel embarrassed if you are going to Hancock just because your friends went off to a 4 year university. It's truly is beneficial to go since you save money and you can figure out what you want to do. Hancock is a great school, it offers great classes and great programs. You learn a lot and there are really good professors there.

RYAN: With any school you go to, its all about what you make of it. you can take the easiest courses, sit by idly or you can take some of the more challenging classes and you can say "Oh you know what, I am not a decided major yet but that looks interesting" and you find out that that is what you want to do with the rest of your life. Its all about what you make of it.
 

Help on How to Write a Research Paper

The dreaded research paper has plagued colleges all over the nation. Well, I hope this helps you once you are faced with the challenge...I'd like to thank Christa for sharing it with me :)

Research Paper Format -

Going to Community College? Here's Some Advice from a Current Student!

Belen has been at a community college for 2 years now and is on track to transferring to Fresno State this fall and double majoring in Criminal Justice and Spanish and considering a minor in Sociology. 


ME: Do you believe community college was a good choice for you? why?

BELEN: For me it was a good choice. It gave me the opportunity to grow up more, and take my education more seriously. I wasn't ready to leave home right after high school, but now I'm more than ready to leave.


ME: What is a positive about going to community college? What is a negative aspect of community college?

BELEN: A positive about community college is that it allows you to mature and to realize what you really want. And you save a LOT of money, on books, tuition and housing. A negative may be is that if you don't take it seriously you will get stuck at AHC and not want to continue to a 4 yr.


ME: What type of programs are helping you stay on track with transferring?

BELEN: The types of programs that helped me stay on track were CAN (it is like AVID), and the Achieve Program which certain students are chosen from the SB Scholarship Foundation. Also, talking to a counselor and going to a transfer counselor too. That is a MUST!


ME: Any other advice you would like to give to students who will be attending Community College next year?

BELEN: Take it seriously. At the beginning it may seem as high school, but once you begin to mature you will see how serious and crucial it is to stay on track if a person wants to transfer to a 4 yr. and go talk to a counselor ASAP!! They will give you a student plan in which shows what classes you need to take and it plans it by semester.

Does College Prepare you for the "Real World"?

Last school year, I did a presentation with some of my classmates and my section was specifically on college and if it actually prepared you for the real world. Mine is actually the third topic but all of them are very interesting.

Rise and Shine Seniors!

Don't let senioritis get the best of you.

Advice from a UCLA Student

Andrea is a fourth year Political Science major at UCLA.

ME: What's a negative aspect about college?
ANDREA: Its really expensive especially for minorities and undocumented students and I also don't like that a lot of them are discourage from going to college because of our society and its culture. Personally, a negative about UCLA is that it is on a quarter system so it goes really really fast so its really hard to take a breather. I took a year off which really helped but a lot of people want to finish fast but usually taking a breather helps.



Me: Do you think college prepared you for the real world?

ANDREA: Hmmmm....No. Some do, it depends. I would say joining organizations because a lot of them help you with social and professional skills. In classes, you really don't learn anything for the real world.

Me: How did you get involved with your school? orgs, greek life, clubs, ect? How did they help you?
ANDREA: One thing is orgs always are looking for people to join so they will search for you and it's all a matter of finding the right one for you. I would suggest looking around and testing the waters because there are so many different ones. There's like dance organizations, art organizations, community service organizations and ones that include all of that in one.

Me: What's the best advice you've gotten from anyone while in college or about college?
ANDREA: The advice that I always hear is to do internships and network. Usually that advice is from alumni who either regret not doing it or alumni that did it and it helped them a lot just because college is academic. Especially UC's, Cal states prepare you more with finding a job after college but UC's don't because they're very researched based and it's really not part of their curriculum. UCLA has this thing called BruinWalk where you can rate your professors. So search for a website at your school that rates your professors because a professor either makes or breaks your class. So if you can find our about a professor before you register for a class that really helps.



Me: What stresses you out the most in college?
ANDREA: Well I had a job, an internship, I was part of an org and I was taking classes so it was really hard to juggle midterms and finals. So balance your time and measure what you can handle.

Me: Do you regret not going to community college?
ANDREA: Yes and no. Yes because community college is cheaper and people who transfer from community colleges tend to have higher GPA's and they tend to have their shit together. Because when you jump into UCLA,  it feels like you have to catch up with everyone and it's a lot more competitive. Very very competitive, people are crazy there! So going start to college, you kind of have to learn as you go where as if you transfer you are already trained to be in college so it helps.

No because some transfers want to stay longer but they have a max of 3 years so sometimes they get kicked out.

Me: How was your colleges food?
ANDREA: Very very good! They're probably the number one in the nation but you have to be careful because you can gain weight...I gained weight. But some college campus' food is wack compared to UCLA...that's what I've heard.

Me: What are the professors like in college compared to high school teachers?
ANDREA: Some professors care like the ones in high school but if you go to a big school, you don't really get to know them. Until you get to the upper divs which are classes more into your major. The way they are, some of them are even more open because in high school you have age restriction so the teachers can't talk freely where as professors can tell personal stories...but it depends. Some are just really cool like one was like "I'm really hungover right now guys so just bear with me." but he was a REALLY good professor.

Talk to people, work in study groups...that helps a lot! Find your study vibe like I can't study in libraries because I fall asleep so I study in coffee shops. Find your destresser as well like some people do sports as their way to destress, some people party and others go home to family. It's all different but it's important to find your personal destresser.

Me: Any advice to people who are going to UCLA specifically? 

ANDREA:Do FSSP, the summer program. It's for minorities and people who are underprivileged. Also if you're South Campus (once you're at UCLA you'll understand), so if your major is more science based, people aren't going to be your friend like they won't share notes and help you out because they're more competitive . If your major is more social sciences and stuff people are much more friendly. So try to get to know people, get involved, its a really big school so don't get overwhelmed. Go to the Student Activities Center and it will make the school a lot smaller. It's a really good resource. Oh and go to football games...and that's it.  

Pro's and Con's of Attending a College with a "very good reputation".

Even though people don't like to admit it, everyone does want to go to a university with prestige. UCLA did a survey of 203,967 first-year students at 270 U.S. four-year colleges and their number one reason for choosing a school was because the college has a "very good reputation". So we are picking schools because we will "look good" going to them? We mentally rank these schools and automatically assume that generally, people who go to UCLA are much smarter than people who go to Cal Poly.Why are we choosing our schools with reputation in mind?  Is it to show off? Is it because of the promise of a better job? What ever reason it is, there are pros and cons to this issue.

Pro: When finding a job, saying you graduated from a prestigious university "looks good" on your resume. 
My sister is graduating from UCLA this year and is now applying for jobs. Lets say she is competing for a job with someone from Northridge. They have the same qualifications except that they came from different schools. They would pick my sister over this Northridge grad because she is from UCLA. This not only works to my sisters advantage but also the companies advantage because they can boast about their UCLA grad as an employee. People, employers will assume from the school you attend that you are smarter and more qualified.


Con: The prestigious route tends to be the more costly route. 
As most people know, attending a private can be much more costly than a state school or a community college. The difference can be $10,000 to $20,000 and at the end of your college education, someone from a private can be $100,000 in debt where as someone who went to a community college first and then transferred is $10,000 in debt.
At one point I thought I would be attending a community college next year and when I would tell people this, they would make this face

 and it would be followed by a whinny "whyyyy?", as if community college is where souls go to rot. In reality, community college, although it doesn't "look good" to go there, is a great stepping stone! This contrasts with a prestigious school because you much pay more but get to say "Oh yea...I go to Stanford ;)"

Pro: You worked too damn hard in high school to NOT attend a prestigious university!
As freshman, I think everyone, if not most of us were aiming for UCLA, USC, Stanford or Pepperdine. As the high school years flew by, most of us got distracted, lazy or maybe just more realistic and aimed for schools that we thought we would actually get into. But there were the few that kept working hard, didn't get lazy and didn't get distracted. They were the ones up late at night studying their butts off. They were the ones who still had their eyes set on those top schools. They were the ones who put blood, sweat and tears into their personal statements and they were the ones to get those USC, UCLA, and/or NYU  acceptances! They honestly deserved it.

Con: Although it is great to go to a school that "looks good", it does not define you in the work place or anywhere else. 
Remember that little example about my sister getting a job? Well let's say she does get the job but she's just a terrible worker and she has no idea what she's doing. The UCLA degree got her foot in the door but it doesn't guarantee her a permanent spot there because that can only be guaranteed by her performance, performance that a degree doesn't guarantee but is only assumed. Look at all the famous college drop-outs that made a name for themselves without the help of a college degree.









In the end, the important thing is not where you get the degree but what you do with that degree that matters.

What we're about...

              How do I pay for college? 
                                       

             What's the difference between CSU's and UC's? 

What's all this talk about the Dream Act? 

            Should I get my 2 years of General Edu in a community college?

                             Why should I go to college anyways? 

Ever had questions about college? 

You Sir or Ma'am, came to the right place :) 

We are Socorro Ramirez and Valerie Gonzalez, both Seniors at Righetti High School, and we're ready to start our education beyond high school! We decided to make this blog after realizing that a lot of students go through senior year blind of what is to come in college. Some people only have movies and rumors to educate themselves on applying and going to college! Well, this blog will be filled with advice from current and/or graduated college students because, as experts in the college experience, they know exactly what they're talking about. 

Thank you and we will have posts up ASAP :)