By Maria Isabel Cubillo
California State University and East Los Angeles College Transfer Center hosted the CSULA Pop-Up Event, where students had questions answered yesterday in the E3 quad.
Recruitment specialist at CSULA Francisco Cornelio said ELAC has been the number one feeder school for CSULA Fall 2017 and Fall 2016. A feeder school is when most students from a community college transfer to the same university.
Cornelio said the goal of the event is to foster the historic collaboration between CSULA and ELAC. Other recruitment specialists were available to answer questions for prospects at the Student Information Center. “Once admitted, talk with an advisor from the college that admitted you,” Bobbie Galaz said, a natural and social sciences academic advisor.
Galaz advised that students should meet with a pre admission counselor prior to applying.
“We advise students to sign up for orientation. The sooner, the better.” lead academic advisor of the College of Arts and Letters Evelyn Espinoza said. During orientation, the academic department chair and advisors helped students to register for classes at CSULA. Orientation starts in July. “It was very useful information. It motivated me even more to transfer to Cal State LA,” Cheryl Brindley said, a rehabilitation counseling major and a computer office system specialist.
She is looking forward to inspiring her daughter Justine Brindley. Disability management specialist Sylvia DeSantis says the on-screen display tries to give the same accommodations the student had with their previous school.
The Veterans Resource Center representatives help students transition from schools during pre-admissions. Benefits Coordinator Deana Garay said the center also helps in the transitioning period of admissions process and provides their own orientation in additional to the mandatory academic orientation. Garay said 98 percent of veteran students at CSULA are transfers.
ELAC is one of 19 schools in California that is a part of the VetSuccess on Campus federal program. VSOC is available to military personnel and dependents of veterans or military personnel.
Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor is provided to participants that go through the program.
International admission liaison Tracey Truong said once admissions is offered, the International Office representatives can answer questions for international students and help them fill out immigration paperwork Financial aid advising coordinator Damien A. Mejia said this year financial aid application are being sent in early April.
The process has been sped up from last year. Mejia said if a transfer student is a continuing student from CSULA, they can apply for university scholarships via calstatela.academicworks.com.
For department scholarships, students need to apply through their department. “Students can ask us questions about majors and basic admission questions. (We also) advise on transferrable lower division major courses,” Siu Leung said, academic advisor with College of Business and Economics.
“If a student knows they are transferring to CSULA, go to the academic advisor of their college,” Rudy Ramirez said, advisor from the computer science and technology department. He also said students need to meet with their academic advisor and develop an educational plan. “Always good to plan ahead,” Ramirez said. ELAC transfer center had a booth in the event because “the (transfer) center plays a vital part in helping students transferring,” transfer center counselor Sabrina Pan said.
To talk to a recruitment representative at ELAC, go to the transfer center and ask when the CSULA representative will be back. The Office for Students with Disabilities will have informational sessions starting June 2 for enrolled students.