College Visits

As summer vacation winds down, I am looking forward to meeting with students again and hearing about their summer experiences.  I am particularly curious to see who went on college visits and what they thought of the schools that they saw.  While it isn't imperative to visit a school prior to deciding to apply to it, it can be helpful.  At the very least, be sure to visit a school, preferably overnight with visits to the dorm, classes, etc. prior to deciding to attend!

The NY Times recently posted a blog entry on the subject of college visits and the economy. 

Of the 41 colleges that responded recently to an informal e-mail survey by The Choice, nearly three of every four reported an increase in summer visitors — with some universities experiencing as much as a 50 percent rise.

SBCC's Transfer Admission Guarantee

Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) has a program called the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG). 

Guaranteed Admission is more commonly referred to as a Transfer Admission Guarantee program.  A TAG is a contractual agreement between you, SBCC, and a four-year college or university.  Students who meet and maintain stated admission and major requirements are guaranteed admission to a specific four-year college or university.

Seven UC campuses offer guaranteed admission to California community college students who meet specific requirements. By participating in a Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program, you can ensure your admission to a specific campus, which offer an early review of your academic record, early admission notification, and specific guidance on major preparation and general education coursework. 

For students who want to go to a community college for their first two years and then transfer to a four-year institution, this is an excellent program to know about.   SBCC has agreements with 3 out of state institutions (ASU, Portland State University and Syracuse University), 2 private institutions (Antioch University and Brandman University), 3 Cal State schools (Bakersfield, Northridge and San Francisco) and 7 UC schools (all except Berkeley and LA).

If this sounds like something for you, please check out this page for more information.