They’ve written personal statements, completed the applications, sent transcripts and application fees. Since late November, they’ve been in transfer “limbo” as they wait to hear from colleges and universities about the next step in their educational futures. They are among the more that half of all Grossmont College students who indicate that their educational goal is to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree.

It’s a lot of work, and requires substantial knowledge of the in’s and out’s of various transfer plans. At Grossmont College, the process begins when a student meets with a counselor to develop an educational plan. The Transfer Center is the ultimate resource for transfer-bound students.

In order to help students learn more about the process and options they might wish to explore, the Transfer Center hosts a Fair in November where representatives of dozens of four-year schools display their materials and answer prospective students’ questions about transfer requirements and majors. It’s a good way to get freshmen thinking ahead, too.

During the event in the quad last November, Bren Peek, who was a senior in high school at that time, visited the booths. Peek is an entering freshman for Spring 2004 semester, and already is ahead of the curve because he knows how important it is to plan ahead. Peek’s cousin, Anna, attended Grossmont College and told him, “It (Grossmont) is a good school to begin with…and, I’ll save a lot of money.“ Peek’s mother, Stacy, said, “I’m so glad he is doing this, and I love the Grossmont campus. He is graduating from high school early.” Peek plans to transfer to study psychology.

Later in November, the Transfer Center organized an on-campus presentation by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at UC Berkeley. About 20 Berkeley-bound students, whose transfer majors will range from biology to business to political science to interdisciplinary, attended the workshop in the Griffin Gate presented by Ana Fimbres Rafferty. Rafferty provided tips on “what to include in your personal statement” and offered information on acceptance rates and gpa’s required for various schools and departments. Her audience was pleased when she reported that in the Fall of 2003, 3 of 91 transfer admits to the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley were Grossmont transfers, which is quite high.

The Annual Transfer Achievement Celebration held at the end of the academic year is a big event to reward students who have achieved transfer success. Students and their families are invited to this event hosted by the Transfer Center. Last year’s event showcased the transfer achievement of 80 students, including a wide range of CSU and UC campuses, and private colleges across the nation. Board members, administrators, faculty and staff attend the event to honor transfer student achievements.

A recent “Research in Brief” report issued by the GCCCD Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Academic Services indicates that most of Grossmont College students “tend to stay local when continuing their education, …and by far, the largest number of students attend San Diego State University, followed mostly by other California Universities.” The report also indicates that students do change their minds along the way. “Many students who transferred originally indicated that they were undecided in their educational goal, or they reported a goal unrelated to transfer. Evidently, many students changed their educational plans to include a bachelor’s degree, despite other initial goals or uncertainty regarding their goals.”

For the past few years, Grossmont College has provided the greatest number of transfers to San Diego State University. According to Bonnie Schmiege, Transfer Center Coordinator, “SDSU is still the number one favorite transfer institution for Grossmont College students, even though the admission process is more competitive and complex than ever before. Students are encouraged to seek help in applying to SDSU or any university to increase their chances for a successful transfer The Counseling and Transfer Centers offer excellent services to transfer students.”