Past Experiences

Gi-Gi Lu

UC Berkeley Class of 2019

In Junior Year summer I practiced for SAT and got a lot of books to practice with. I also went to the local library and used their resources frequently. Something I’d say I recommend is making sure you know you're SAT deadlines because some colleges stop accepting and asking for them after Junior Year. Be aware of what SAT subject tests your college of interest requires; know how many subject tests are required and/or what type.

"Make sure you look out for application deadlines because many schools have different deadlines; however, most of them are going to be due before December of your senior year. Prices for applications are very high and if you're low income make sure to look out if you're eligible for free fee waivers. For UC and CSU’s you are given four free fee waivers. Colleges are very strict on application deadlines and you may not submit your application late, so it is wise to submit it atleast a week early incase the website crashes. Most of the time colleges and universities are happy to answer questions for colleges so you don't be afraid to give them a call and ask. "

Latasha North

Laney College

"I choose to go to college after 6 years in the military because I understood it would be the only way for me to pick a total different career field and be successful. I was looking for a way to take care of my family. I wanted to create a way from my children to college right after high school. My overall experiences of college was mind blowing and it challenged a lot of my personal beliefs. It help me to open my understanding to the world around me. What truly worked for me was scheduling family activities and keeping my promises to myself and family. It helped to keep my moral up allowing me to deal with the difficult times. Keeping myself positive to achieve my goals and overcoming challenges."

Bernadette Almeida

SJSU

As a transfer student, from Solano Community College to San Jose State University, I enjoyed my overall college experience. I was able to save my parents money and also give myself the time to figure out what path career path I wanted to take. At the age of 18, I was way too young to know definitively what I wanted to do with my life. Throughout my undergrad experience, I changed my major a total of 3 times. Fortunately, my three years at community college not only saved my family the expenses of state tuition, but gave me the experience and responsibility to mature and come to a decision about my future. Some might say a "con" of going to a junior college is "missing out on the college experience." However when I look back at my time at San Jose State compared to Solano Community College, it was nearly identical. Just a difference in campus size and distance from home. I made good friends, joined clubs, met incredible professors all at both campuses. In my opinion, the college experience is determined only by you. It doesn't matter what route of education you decide to take, but what you make of it.