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As the December 1 transfer application deadline approaches, San Diego City College’s Transfer Center is intensifying its efforts this semester to actively engage with and support students through the process.
The center kicked off transfer season with its second annual launch party earlier this month. It is the first of numerous workshops and one-on-one counseling with admission officers from various four-year universities, each designed to urge students to start their applications.
Counselors said getting ahead of schedule is key – not only for meeting deadlines, but for submitting stronger, more thoughtful applications.
The unique challenges of Maria Fernanda, an international business major from Mexico, motivated her to get a head start on her applications.
“Everything is new (in the U.S.),” Fernanda said. “The application process, the entire transfer process, is so different. The GPA system is even different in Mexico.
“But everyone here was so nice. They helped me do all my applications.”
Mexico uses a numerical grading system ranging from 0 to 10, whereas the United States uses a letter-based system on a 4.0 grade scale.
With the promise of food and counseling, the event even attracted students from other campuses in the San Diego Community College District.
Computer science major John Valdez, a third-year student who drove from Mesa College, had concerns about transferring in the spring semester to his top choice, Cal State San Marcos.
“The biggest problem I had was about spring transfers,” Valdez said. “I didn’t have my original plan of transferring last spring, but (the counselors) gave me a bunch of alternatives.”
For students looking to transfer this year or in the future, Valdez recommends getting ahead of the process and seeing an advisor.
“Start early,” Valdez said. “Go straight to the counselors and figure out what steps to take. Getting that roadmap early will make your life so much easier.”
The transfer application deadline for UCs and CSUs, including SDSU, is Monday, December 1.
