Hundreds of SBCC Students Explore More Than 70 Colleges Without Leaving Campus
John Palminteri
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Hundreds of Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) students looked to the future at a Transfer Fair on campus with representatives of four-year schools Wednesday.
The school had them in various pop-ups around the west campus.
Most were schools in California including UC’s and Cal State campuses with some as far away as Colorado, New York and Ohio.
This gives the students a chance to learn about the schools without traveling hundreds of miles. Many are going to school on a limited budget and can not afford to travel for campus tours in advance of making a decision.
SBCC has an automatic transfer plan with many schools to assist students in their higher education planning, including UC Santa Barbara nearby.
JennyErika Barco the Santa Barbara City College SBCC Transfer Center Director said, “this event is really much it gives them the opportunity to do an early exploration of the university. And we do want them to start as early as possible. Making the connection with the university, not just the one that they’re interested in.”
Thomas Field is a student who found the event to be very helpful for his future. “You can kind of ask specific questions. You don’t have time to ask, like out of the states especially. I don’t have time to visit. I’m very busy with school right now, so it’s really convenient for me. “
Barco said, “technically this is a one shot location for students to come and just look around and see what they want to consider for more research.”
One student said she could be close to home or go far away for awhile.
“Yes. Irvine. Because I was born there and then (I could do) study abroad. Semester at sea is really cool. I’m thinking of doing communication there and getting to travel,” said Grace McElroy.
Another student looked to San Diego for school and her personal future.
Jasmyne Vincent said, “I want to settle down there. So hopefully finding a college, my masters and doing all that stuff down there will help.”
Barco said, “you can literally see in the student’s face that they are getting the information that they need and the questions answered. And they’re also being surprised of the answers that they’re getting.”
Everyone attending was given a free Bombazo burrito and a Mr. Softee ice cream.
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