UCLA welcoming to transfers
Last week, I read the article in the Daily Bruin about minority transfer students (“Transfer notices lack of diversity,” News, Nov. 20). I am a fourth-year African-American transfer student. My experience at UCLA is quite different from the students featured in the piece.
I must agree that UCLA was a bit overwhelming, but I have found my campus experience to be very motivating.
I realized I had to introduce myself to my professors and teaching assistants. My TAs were all younger than me, but I respected their position as graduate students, and they were all extremely helpful.
I was struggling in my Western civilization course, but my TA answered all my questions and e-mails and helped me earn a high grade.
In addition, I am a history student, and everyone who I’ve come in contact with in the history department has been very helpful.
My professors have been great. Professor Joan Waugh always made time to talk to me and has encouraged me to apply to graduate school. A graduate student in the history department, D. Cooper Owens, has also been a great source of support.
The Academic Advancement Program and my counselor, Carina Salazar, have given me the information I need to navigate UCLA’s system.
I do feel that UCLA is lacking diversity; however, I don’t feel unwelcome by the UCLA community.
I have had interesting exchanges with other students.
I have never allowed my age, race or gender to stifle my educational experience.
I was accepted to the university based on my merit.
And because of my UCLA experience, I know that I will continue to achieve anything that I set my mind to.
Lisa Holloway
Fourth-year, history