SFSU International Representative Coming to DVC

Mr. Israeli (Izy) Alilin, the international admissions representative from San Francisco State University, will be visiting the DVC Counseling/Transfer Center on Wednesday, November 17 and Tuesday, November 30. Contact the Transfer Center to set up an appointment to see Izy. Be sure to bring copies of your DVC transcript and copies of any other institutions you have attended since high school, even if you think the courses might not transfer. This will help Izy provide you with the best advice possible.

Best Value U.S. Private and Liberal Arts Colleges

Students often ask me which colleges and universities in the U.S. are the best. Students need to be aware that there are more than 7,000 post-secondary institutions in the U.S. There's no way I can answer that question for students. Students need to do their own research to determine which institution is best for them. However, there are some pieces of information that can be helpful when researching a college or university. The following article concerns the top five private and liberal arts institutions in the U.S. that offer the best value. Click on the link to learn more:
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UC Davis TAG decisions coming November 15

Sign in to your UC TAG application account on November 15 if you applied for the Davis TAG:
https://uctag.universityofcalifornia.edu/index.cfm

UC Personal Statement Review

If you are applying to a UC campus for Fall 2011 admission, you can now fill out the application online. One part of the application is the personal statement. I am happy to review your statement, with the following stipulations:
1. You must bring a hard copy of your statement; I will not put USB drives into my computer for fear of viruses.
2. You must bring a revised version of your statement; do not bring a rough draft. Show me that you have already put a considerable amount of effort and time into writing your statement.
3. You may see me by appointment or during my drop-in; however, be aware that if on drop-in, we will have only about 10 minutes to discuss your statement.

On Friday, November 19, I will be available on drop-in from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the Counseling Center.

To schedule an appointment or find out my other drop-in times, call the Counseling Center at 925-685-1230, extension 2276, or schedule an appointment online:
http://www.dvc.edu/org/departments/counseling/online1.htm

For more information about the UC personal statement, visit:
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/personal-statement/index.html

UCSD Transfer Application Webinar Link

The University of California San Diego is sponsoring a transfer application webinar on Thursday, October 28, 4:30-5:30 p.m. The webinar will cover the UC application and the personal statement. You must register for the webinar, but it is free. To register, go to the following link:
https://cc.readytalk.com/r/i45swxqt9s8b

UC Application Website

The UC application is now available online at https://admissions.universityofcalifornia.edu/applicant/login.htm. Please read the directions carefully before you begin filling out the application. Please fill out the application BEFORE you write your personal statement. That should be the last thing you put in the application.

Please be advised that I will not accept UC personal statements by email, nor can you drop off a personal statement for review by me. You must make an appointment for personal statement review. You may also ask for my feedback if you come for drop-in, but be aware that we will have only ten minutes together, thus my feedback will be minimal.

Also be advised that there are three other counselors from whom you can seek academic counseling and personal statement feedback: Mr. Franco, Ms. Okay, and Mr. Gonzales.

Best wishes as you pursue your academic goal!

Reporting Past College Coursework on University Applications

I would like to send out a very strong reminder that applicants to universities are REQUIRED to report ALL prior college-level coursework, whether it was done in a U.S. institution or in an institution in another country, and whether or not you believe it will affect your admissions. Failure to do so could result in your application to the university being cancelled, and you might find yourself ineligible to attend ANY campus within the university system. If you knowingly and willingly fail to report all coursework on your university application, you are guilty of misrepresenting yourself, and the consequences could affect you for a long time to come.

The best practice is to report all of your post-secondary coursework accurately and honestly, and explain any poor grades on your application in the comments section. This helps the university get a clear picture of the student you are now, which is what is most important to them.