Article Published: Saturday, May 1, 2004
Whittier Daily News

Rio Hondo demystifies college experience High school seniors get look at what could be their future

By Alice Walton , Correspondent

WHITTIER -- Rio Hondo College was invaded Thursday by 250 seniors from the Whittier Union High School District invited to the last of three sessions of College Information Day. The event is held annually to introduce students to the college admissions process.

Each year, students from the El Monte, Whittier and Pico Rivera school districts participate in the event, which takes students on tours of the campus and provides information on admissions and financial aid.

The day is a tool to demystify students' misconceptions of college, said Eva Menchaca of the College Assessment Program.

"It paints a picture for them of what college life would be like here,' Menchaca said. "They'll have an idea of what Rio has to offer.'

Dan Rubalcava, dean of student support services, agrees.

"It's a chance to come out to the campus,' Rubalcava said. "What we hope they leave with is a sense of the programs Rio has to offer.'

The format of College Information Day has changed during the past five years, said Maria- Araceli Romero, director of the Financial Aid Program. The program used to be just one day in the spring when several hundred students would listen to information about the school. Now the program is broken into three days and students are further separated into small groups for tours and demonstrations throughout the campus.

"They're exposed to every division and every department,' Romero said.

Faculty and staff performed a play early in the day during which a slide show of the school was shown.

"Information we give is done in such a way that it keeps their attention,' Romero said.

Students can apply to Rio Hondo College now through the second week of classes in August, she said.

Planning for the event began in October. Rio Hondo College counselors work with the high school counselors to coordinate schedules and help students in the college process.

One suggestion that was implemented this year is the High School Outreach program. Representatives from the college spend three to four hours a week at different high schools, answering students' questions and filling out applications, said Antonio Flores, dean of counseling, matriculation and outreach.

The outreach program and College Information Day are chances for students to "overcome the fear of something they know nothing about,' Flores said.

Students responded positively to College Information Day.

"I never thought I'd go to college, but now we're thinking about coming here,' said La Serna High School senior Arlen Bonilla. College leaders do not know how many students enrolled in fall classes will have gone through College Information Day, Rubalcava said. However, the college does hand out evaluations at the end of the day.

"The feedback is always very positive,' Rubalcava said.

Bonilla agrees.

"They were really helpful,' she said. "They gave a lot of details on the programs.'