CSUMB’s appeal was apparent at Admitted Transfer Day

By Walter Ryce

Cal State Monterey Bay wrapped up its second annual Admitted Transfer Day on Saturday afternoon, April 26. Almost 2,000 students, family members and supporters had registered (300 more than last year) to attend and tour the campus, talk to faculty and staff, and learn about financial aid and housing. 

The day started with welcome addresses by campus leadership, including President Vanya Quiñones who addressed a capacity audience of prospective students and their supporters in the Otter Student Union ballroom. 

“I am so excited to be here with all of you students, your friends, family members and supporters to celebrate a big step in your educational journey,” she said. 

She also shared news such as CSUMB’s no. 1 ranking by U.S. News & World Report in social mobility among mid-sized public universities in the West, and extolled the campus’s beauty, safety and sense of belonging. 

After remarks by Ben Corpus, vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and Andrew Lawson, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, the audience was set loose to explore the campus and learn more. 

Sheyna Klippness of San Ramon is a transfer student from Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, and wants to study psychology. CSUMB isn’t the first school she had visited, but it made a strong impression. 

“I’ve seen Cal Poly [San Luis Obispo],  I’ve seen UC Irvine. But I love Monterey,” she said. “When I went to the other colleges they were very nice and beautiful, but when I come here everybody just talks to me, so I get really into the community which feels really great.”

Klippness and her friend intended to learn more at Admitted Otter Day about support programs, fun welcome events, students clubs and financial aid. 

Romina Luque, who was exploring the campus with her father Jose Luis, is a transfer from Southwestern College in Chula Vista, pursuing study in marine science. She said she had seen a YouTube video, read about CSUMB’s program, visited the campus twice before, and was set on coming here. 

“I did look into other colleges, and even though I got accepted to the others, I was very adamant on [coming] here,” she said. “The scuba diving program sounded pretty interesting…. One of the students told me about research and I’m interested in that so I’m going to take that into consideration.” 

Her father Jose Luis said that just a couple of minutes ago he told his daughter that CSUMB was the “best choice” and he was proud of her. 

“I saw her so happy, that it made me happy too,” he said. “It’s a very nice community [here], not crowded, and that’s one of the things that I like. I feel very relaxed to let her go here.”

In addition to hearing financial aid advice, getting help scheduling classes, and talking with faculty, there was fun and spirited stuff for prospective students and their families. They could take photos in front of the new Otter Spirit statue, a DJ kept the music pumping on the Otter Student Union plaza, students clubs gave out swag and candy, and lawn games beckoned.  

Some students came in from hometowns many hours away, but Lucas Bojorquez arrived on campus from home in 20 minutes — he lives in Salinas and attended Hartnell College. Standing in line at one of the food trucks as the sun shined down, he talked about being committed to CSUMB since he was young. 

“It’s always been the kind of school that, since I was little kid, if you’re going to go to Hartnell, CSUMB is the big one that has a very good art program,” he said. “It seemed like a no-brainer.”

Still, this was his first time on campus and he was eager to learn more and find out about orientation dates. He intends to study the visual arts, including traditional and digital artwork and animation.  

Mirabella Picart from San Jose attended West Valley College in Saratoga and is seeking to earn a degree in child and adolescent development. 

She wants to live in campus housing to experience the full immersion of college life, and appreciates that she’s close enough to her family — who were also here accompanying her — to see them a short drive away. 

“I was looking at other campuses, like San Francisco and East Bay, but I already visited [CSUMB] when I was in high school and again for orientation and I fell in love with the environment,” she said. “They’re very big on support and making sure your academic goals are met.” 

That support includes programs like Basic Needs, TRIO and the Educational Opportunity Program. She has already committed to coming to CSUMB, which is a momentous occasion. 

“I’m a first generation student so it’s a really big deal,” she said. “My mom started college but she didn’t finish, sadly. But she sees herself in me [coming] here.” 

Ben Corpus, vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, said that transfer students got their own dedicated day apart from first-time students because both are different.

“Students deserve to be treated and supported in the unique ways in which freshmen arrive on a campus and transfers arrive on campus to serve their  unique needs,” he said. “That is the Cal State Monterey Bay way: to treat students and their families as the individuals they are.”

For more content, check out the Instagram reel, TikTok video, and photos from the day.