My journey to higher education was not a straightforward one. Throughout high school, I dreamed of attending UCLA, but I didn’t understand the college admissions process or what I needed to do to become a competitive applicant. Although I attended a strong high school, my small learning community was significantly under-resourced, with one academic counselor serving more than 500 students. As a result, I lacked the guidance and information needed to successfully navigate the path to college. When it came time to apply, I did so without a clear understanding of the process and was not admitted to the universities I hoped to attend. Rather than giving up on my goals, I chose to attend community college, where I viewed it as an opportunity to strengthen my academic foundation and find a new pathway toward achieving my dream. Looking back, that decision became the turning point in my educational journey.
Applying to CCCP was one of the best decisions I made during my educational journey. The program demystified the hidden curriculum of higher education and gave me the knowledge, confidence, and support to successfully navigate community college, the transfer process, and ultimately UCLA. Through CCCP, I built a network of mentors, staff, and peers before ever stepping onto UCLA’s campus as a student. As a community college student, I gained a meaningful preview of what life as a Bruin would be like, making my eventual transition significantly smoother. As a STEM student participating in SMC STEM SITE, I was introduced to essential scientific concepts that prepared me for upper-division coursework and exposed me to research at a world-class R1 institution. I also had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a UCLA admissions representative, who helped me strategically plan my coursework, extracurricular experiences, and transfer pathway. Beyond academics, CCCP strengthened my relationships with fellow STEM students at Santa Monica College and created a community of peers with similar goals and aspirations. Most importantly, the program helped me develop a sense of belonging. It empowered me to see UCLA not as a place I hoped to reach someday, but as a place where I belonged and could thrive. That shift in mindset transformed how I viewed myself and the spaces I occupied throughout my academic journey.
There were countless memorable experiences during my time at UCLA, but one that stands out most was attending my first Beat SC Bonfire. Participating in one of UCLA’s longstanding traditions made me feel like I had truly become part of the Bruin community. It was also an opportunity to reconnect with friends I first met through CCCP who had successfully transferred to UCLA, as well as reconnect with faculty and professionals I had met during my time at Santa Monica College. Those moments reinforced how meaningful the relationships I built through CCCP continued to be long after I transferred. One of my proudest accomplishments was returning to the program as a CCCP Mentor. Having experienced firsthand the uncertainty of navigating higher education, I wanted to help other students pursuing similar goals. Serving as a mentor allowed me to give back to a program that had such a profound impact on my own journey. It was incredibly rewarding to help prospective Bruins navigate both the community college and UCLA experiences with confidence, while encouraging them to recognize that they, too, belonged in these spaces.
Graduating from UCLA was the realization of a dream I had carried with me since high school. For years, I knew where I wanted to be, but I didn’t know how to get there. Through the support, guidance, and opportunities provided by CCCP, I was able to transform that dream into reality. Earning my UCLA degree represents much more than graduating from a prestigious university—it represents perseverance, resilience, and the belief that my goals were achievable despite the obstacles I faced along the way. Since graduating, my degree has opened doors to new professional and academic opportunities while giving me the confidence to continue pursuing ambitious goals. It serves as a reminder that with the right support, guidance, and determination, dreams that once seemed out of reach can become reality.
As I work towards applying to graduate school, I serve as the Program Manager for UCLA’s Vice-Provost’s Initiative for Pre-college Scholars. Similar to CCCP, this program prepares educationally disadvantaged and underserved students to become academically competitive and to encourage their pursuit of graduate and professional education. As a manager, I oversee the high school component, partnership schools, UCLA mentors, and our Summer Programs.
CCCP is far more than a transfer preparation program—it is a transformative community that equips students with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to succeed in higher education. By addressing the hidden curriculum of college and university systems, CCCP helps students become competitive applicants while empowering them to recognize that their lived experiences and diverse backgrounds are strengths, not barriers. The program creates opportunities for students to build meaningful relationships, develop a sense of belonging, and envision themselves as future Bruins long before they arrive on campus. For me, CCCP didn’t simply help me transfer to UCLA; it changed how I viewed myself as a scholar, leader, and member of the university community. Its impact continues well beyond graduation, as alumni carry forward what they have learned by mentoring and uplifting the next generation of transfer students.
