Transfer Crush Tuesday: Lyric Tully (11/10/15)

Happy Tuesday, Happy Week 7! Here is our Transfer Crush Tuesday this week, Lyric Tully!

When I first started my endeavor with higher education, I originally began my pursuit simply because people told me that I could not do it. I was a terrible student growing up and I never could have imagined my life would be what it is today. I am in love with being a student and I am very fortunate and honored to be able to lay claim to the fact that I will be graduating with a degree in psychology from UCLA. Another great thing that I have learned along the way is that I truly loved attending San Diego Mesa College and I am incredibly proud to be a transfer student. It’s easy to feel lost in a school as large as UCLA. However, our transfer community consists of the most supportive, determined, and resilient people. I feel we’re all in this together. Currently, I am a research assistant in three psychology laboratories where I have the opportunity to see firsthand how fascinating psychological research is. I'm also co-chair of the Non-Traditional Student Network and I love hearing the different paths other non-traditional students have taken to get to UCLA. Hopefully I get to see many of you at our next event!

Transfer Crush Tuesday: Krystal Haddadin (11/3/15)

Meet our Week 6 Transfer Crush Tuesday, Krystal!

I graduated from Citrus Community College in Spring of 2014 with 3 AA degrees in Sociology, Psychology, and Social & Behavioral Sciences. I'm currently a 4th year Sociology and Philosophy double major at UCLA. Currently I work for Outdoor Adventures as a Challenge Course Facilitator at Sunset Rec.

In high school I was pretty involved (head cheerleader, executive ASB board, sim, etc.) but when I went to Citrus I spent most of my time focusing on my studies. However, as a transfer, you only have 2 years (sometimes 3) to take full advantage of what UCLA has to offer. Once coming to UCLA, I started working with OA, became a board member of the United Arab Society, and volunteered as much of my time within the transfer community. I'm sure you've seen me as a panelist for Transfer Transitions or my name on the face book page more than a few times.

I was told by my high school guidance counselor that I would never graduate from a CC in 2 years. I did, in fact with three degrees. So the best advice I can pass on to the transfer community is what I learned, not just at UCLA but my CC, and life in general. If there is something you really want, fight for it. Nobody knows yourself better than you, (well maybe your mom). But advocating for your self is the most important thing you can do. Don't be afraid to go after your dreams, as cheesy as that sounds, but if it's something that's interesting to you, go after it, and don't stop till you get it! Shameless plug about the Challenge Course, every quarter we host a play and climb! It's 5$ and you can come to the high ropes course and experience all the climbs we have to offer. It's a fun experience you can enjoy with your friends for more information you can go to www.recreation.ucla.edu/oa Hope to see some Transfer faces there!

Transfer Crush Tuesday: Lexi James (10/27/15)

I'm a first generation college student who got into her dream school, studying political science! I'm working in the USAC Transfer Student Representatives (TSR) Office, where I serve as the mentor liaison for the new mentorship program for transfer students- "Show Me The Ropes." The program pairs up senior transfers with new transfer students, so that they will have a mentor and a friend. This is the first year we're doing it and I'm so excited about it! The work we're going to be doing in the TSR office this year is going to be amazing, and I can't wait to see how it all plays out. I'm so stoked to be a part of the AMAZING TSR office! I'm currently working on graduate school applications, and it's so bittersweet knowing that this is my last year here. Having only 2 years here, I knew I had to do as much as I can in this short amount of time. There are so many opportunities for everyone here, you just have to go out and find them! I promise they're not nearly as intimidating as they may seem! Pro tip: If you want to do it or try it, just do it!

Transfer Crush Tuesday: Nooriel Banayan (10/20/15)

Hey Transfers, meet this weeks Transfer Crush, Nooriel!

I work at the California Nanosystems Institute for their outreach program. We take graduate level science concepts and experiments and we make them accessible for high school students; so students make things such as solar powered devices and devices that charge super quickly and last for a super long time (you can be on instagram for days without needing to charge). I also do research at the David Geffen School of Medicine and I study advanced melanoma in human patients and how we can kickstart the patient's' immune system to attack the cancer. As for transfer related things, I try to lend a helping hand whenever I can for transfer events whether it be through the BRC or CCCP, and I'm so stoked to be a mentor this year for the new transfers. My biggest challenge as a transfer was knowing what opportunities were out there for me. It can be super intimidating at UCLA (it's not) and I feel like that fear of not having enough time/experience at a UC may discourage some transfers of going for things they want whether it be a research position or a club just because they feel like they're too new. My biggest advice, if you're unsure or scared, do it anyway. You only fail if you don't try.

Transfer Crush Tuesday: Jose Alvarez (10/13/15)

Hi, my name is Jose Alvarez. I am a 4th year Sociology major. I transferred from Los Medanos College (LMC)  in 2014. At LMC, I was heavily involved in our school's Honors Program, serving on the Officer Board, as well as the debate team. Having grown up in the East Bay my whole life, I wanted to come to UCLA to get a change of scenery.

I'm currently Vice-President of Tau Sigma, UCLA's only transfer-specific honor society, where I help create a better academic and social community for our members. I also received the IEO's Travel Study Scholarship last summer, which allowed me to take courses in NYC. I now serve as an Outreach Coordinator for the office.

I plan on pursuing a career in Education, so I decided to join Teach for America upon graduation. I will be teaching kids between elementary and middle school in Richmond, CA. I'm looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to help produce change in the local community.

Transfer Crush Tuesday: Ivelisse Porroa-Garcia (10/6/15)

Meet our Transfer Crush Tuesday, Ivelisse!

I am a feminist Peruvian immigrant who studies political science at UCLA, my dream school. This is my second year serving in the USAC Transfer Student Representative Office, where I currently hold the position of Co-Director of the Transfer Student Mentorship Program "Show Me the Ropes." This unique program pairs up new transfers with seniors who serve as academic/career mentors and friends. As a new transfer last year, I underestimated the adaptation process to the quarter system, but then I realized I was not the only one. Transfer students like me and their experiences fuel my passion to make "Show Me the Ropes" a reality.

Moreover, during my first year at UCLA, I got admitted to the UCLA Center for American Politics and Public Policy's Quarter in Washington program, which will allow me to do research and an internship in D.C. during the Winter 2016 quarter. My research interest originated from my Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties class in the political science department. I was fortunate to have the guidance of my professor by attending office hours, which is a resource I strongly recommend new transfers to use. While I wait for D.C., I work part-time in the UCLA Anderson School of Management, and I am also in the process of establishing the first UCLA American Association of University Women chapter.

However, my story does not start at UCLA. Four years ago, I came to the United States to pursue a better education. The path has not been easy, but I have shown professors, peers, and family that this Latina whose first language is Spanish is capable of establishing student organizations, winning prestigious scholarships, overcoming financial struggles, publishing research papers, bringing renowned political figures to give speeches, presenting research in an academic conference, working in a congressional office, and keeping a high GPA. However, what I am proud of the most is convincing myself that I am capable of doing even more to contribute to society, especially as a transfer student. I have been blessed, and now I have the social responsibility to finish my education to continue helping others.

Transfer Crush Tuesday: Christina Springer (5/5/15)

Christina Springer is a third-year Political Science transfer student from the beautiful beachside city of Ventura, California. As the President of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society for Transfer Students, Christina advocates for the recognition of academic excellence within the transfer community. She is pursuing both College and Departmental Honors and is seriously involved in cross-departmental research on political engagement and social mobilization, both interests she developed during her experiences in campaign work, voter registration, and social activism both on and off the UCLA campus.

“As a transfer student, my path was never set in stone. But I fell in love with UCLA when I spontaneously decided to take a campus tour two years ago. I happened to walk inside SAC and was blown away by all of the opportunities just plastered on the walls.

I have been lucky to find a lot of research opportunities while here at UCLA through 191 seminar classes, which I highly recommend! These classes are the best way to get involved in research as a transfer because you don't need to establish a prior relationship with a professor before you enroll; you just sign up and see where it takes you. These professors are at the top of their fields and are almost always willing to continue mentoring you through research (and life).

My best theoretical advice for transfers is to dream big when deciding how you want to use your time at UCLA. Remember that you are here not only for a BA, but that you should use the opportunities and resources available to you to tailor your resume and make you a perfect candidate for your future career. Make a plan early on to include challenging academics, leadership in a group, and relevant work experience, then stick with it. Don't be afraid to adapt your plan, but never write yourself off as being unable to accomplish something. UCLA is competitive but YOU are a Bruin!”