Higher Ed summit
stokes students reach beyond potential
HOLTVILLE — The fine print of college application can cause the surest hand to falter so Imperial County Office of Education again offered a scheduled week of College Fairs across the county.
On Thursday 140 juniors assembled in the Holtville High School gym and other venues to learn how best navigate the process. For those interested in the University of California system, students gathered at the library and were confronted with the personal insight also known as the essay questions which applicants must chose four of eight to respond.
Topics range from what a student has done to make a community a better place to how to overcome an educational barrier.
Valerie Oure, UC Riverside Admissions counselor noted it takes a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be considered and a top SAT or ACT score.
“I recommend you go online and study one or the other because they’re different tests but if you take both we’ll take your top score,” she said.
At UC/Merced the newest campus, they want to believe each applicant is going place in the future, noted Matt Schellenberg, admissions advisor.
“Sell yourself,” he said. “Don’t brag about the coach who inspired you, if you played soccer, were you in the playoffs, win a championship? Students need to talk about responsibilities they assumed. What adversities did you overcome? And if you detail extra-curricular activities include volunteer experience and any awards.”
UC San Diego is a selective campus but it has a great school of education, noted Roberta Camarena, admissions officer. “I taught high school 15 years and I love this age group but students don’t necessarily think about the costs. Do your research before the summer. There are subsidized an unsubsidized loans and financial aid for work study.”
Colleges accept a broad spectrum of students it is not just academic superstars remarked Blas Guerrero, director of undergraduate admissions at UC Davis.
“We want the best and brightest but don’t be intimidated by a website that says a school only accepts one in 100,” he said.
“If you worked 20 hours a week at Safeway, tutored bible study and took care of grandma, it’s all extra-curricular activities, just document it. We just rejected a 4.2 GPA for a 3.3 because he was well-rounded.”
Inside the gym a couple dozen colleges and technical schools set up information tables. Lete Ochoa, Imperial Valley College financial aid technician stressed the importance to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
“You can qualify up to $8,000 for grants or if you’re ineligible you can still get financial assistance or a scholarship,” she said. “Don’t disqualify yourself, apply every year for FASFA.”
Miguel Razo, a junior, was struggling with which school would fit his personality and aptitude. The fair helped him narrow his choices to SDSU or UC Davis. Classmate, Estefania Paniagua appreciated the information about transferring out. “It’s better to know you can save money going to IVC, raise your GPA and transfer to UC Davis,” she said.
But for Valley native Brenna Stewert college prospects in California appear dim because of the expense. “But the fair opened my eyes to financial aid possibilities,” she said. “I can go to Northern Arizona University and get in-state-tuition. They have my nursing program. And it’s close to home.”