Does Santa Monica College offer good transfer advising?

I'm debating whether or not to use Santa Monica College's transfer advising services. Do they provide good guidance and support, or should I look elsewhere for help with my transfer plans?

Santa Monica College (SMC) has a strong reputation for supporting students in their transfer processes, especially to UC schools. They have a dedicated Transfer Center that provides comprehensive services to facilitate a smooth transition.

The Transfer Center at SMC offers various services such as transfer counseling, university representative visits, workshops, events like transfer fairs, and university tours. The counselors can help with everything, from selecting the right course sequence to fulfilling specific major requirements at four-year institutions.

Their track record is impressive, as Santa Monica consistently ranks among the top community colleges in California -- and even nationwide—for the number of students who transfer to public in-state universities like the UC and CSU systems, as well as other institutions across the country.

Remember, the value of the advising services will largely depend on how proactive you are. Make sure to take full advantage of their services by attending workshops, scheduling individual advising sessions early and frequently, and staying on top of things.

However, it's essential to remember that a transfer advisor's job is to guide you, not to do the work for you. You have to take the lead in your transfer journey, from researching potential four-year universities to ensuring you have completed the requirements for your desired major. So while SMC's transfer advising services are robust, it will still require effort and initiative on your end.

Hope this helps you in your decision-making process!