By Rema Atiya/se news editor
“The transfer center helps students find out what university they want to go to and then helps them get there,” said Casey Ramos, transfer center coordinator.
Ramos said the district requires each campus to have a transfer center for students to provide students with access to four-year colleges as well as someone to help them with their transfer admissions paperwork.
“I started working for SE Campus Feb. 9, 2009, and this is what I was working for the entire year before we opened the center for students,” she said.
The counseling center is the place students usually get help with transfers. However, Ramos said students can get one-on-one help in the transfer center.
“Because of the number of students that we see every day, they are not able to get the help needed to transfer due to the limited time counselors have to work with all students,” she said.
The transfer center has all the things necessary to help students apply for schools.
“We have computers, brochures, representatives and a full library of different colleges’ catalogs that students can attend,” she said. “You can take almost anything in here home with you. However, if you cannot take it home, we have a copy machine to make copies.”
The center is staffed full time to assist students who visit, and Ramos, who is also an academic advisor, spends half of every day there.
“Walk-ins and appointments are available to students for whichever they prefer,” she said. “There is always someone here to help.”
Ramos said at least one to two representatives from different universities are available every week.
“The transfer center allows universities to come set up in the room while they talk to different students about applications and admissions,” she said. “Because the universities are able to review their applications in the center, this allows for on-site admissions to be given to students from the universities.”
Because the center just opened, Ramos said many students are not aware of it.
“We are seeing a nice number of students come through here, but the problem is a lot of students are just hearing about us by word-of-mouth, so it is taking longer for students to find out about us,” she said.
Ramos said the transfer center not only helps with transfers but also helps with scholarships.
“We do not have many students come in for scholarships, but this is the place to do it,” she said.
The transfer center also handles degree plans for students.
“Most students have said that this is a very comfortable environment for them to come in to do the things they need to do for the different universities,” she said.
The transfer center has a monthly calendar listing different universities that will be on campus.
The transfer center is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday and is located in ESED 2315.
“It is good to help and see students go on to complete their own goals in life,” Ramos said. “I think the students have been wanting a transfer center but did not know they needed it.”