By Lookout Staff

November 14, 2016 -- Santa Monica College (SMC) cemented its reputation as the state's top transfer college by adding two more universities to the list, school officials announced last week.

SMC also transferred more students to the University of Southern California (USC) and Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in 2015-16 than any other college in California, officials said.

The college also transferred 19 students to Columbia University, the New York City Ivy League school, more than any other college west of the Mississippi and second most in the country, SMC officials said.

The news comes after SMC topped the list of transfer students to the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU) systems for the 26th consecutive year ("Santa Monica College Top in Transfers for 26th Straight Year," October 26, 2016).

“Santa Monica College, by continuing to uphold our record as number one in transfers -- not just to the prestigious UC system, but also to leading private universities like USC and LMU -- proves our unflinching commitment to preparing our students for the best opportunities in higher education,” said Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery, SMC Superintendent/President.

Last Fall, 168 SMC students transferred to USC, making up nearly 12 percent of USC’s total 1,450 transfers, According to data released by the USC Office of Admission. The was nearly triple the number of students -- 60 -- sent by the second highest feeder school.

“At USC, access to a world-class education is a top priority," said USC Provost Michael Quick. "We believe these transfer students are an important part of our community.

"They have all the skills necessary to be successful students and graduate at the same rates as their peers who started here as freshmen,” Quick said.

This fall, SMC students accounted for 69 of the 374 total transfers to Loyola Marymount University, or 18.5 percent, officials said. The second-ranking feeder school sent 21 students.

“Loyola Marymount University continues to value its relationship with Santa Monica College,” said LMU President Timothy Law Snyder. “SMC consistently prepares a wonderful spectrum of students who thrive in academic and creative learning environments."

LMU and SMC officials are working on a transfer admission agreement that will guarantee that SMC students who meet certain agreed-upon requirements are admitted to one of the university's specified colleges beginning in fall 2018, officials said.

Janet Robinson, SMC Transfer Center Faculty Leader, attributes SMC’s transfer success to “the wide network of campus resources, counselors, and instructors who are individually and collectively dedicated to the success of SMC students.”