By Lookout Staff

January 9, 2024 -- Santa Monica College (SMC) maintained its streak as the No.1 transfer college to the University of California that began the year the Cold War ended and Justice Clarence Thomas was appointed to the Supreme Court.

The 33-year streak was kept alive after 1,086 SMC students transferred to UC campuses in the past academic year, with 414 headed to UCLA, according to 2022-2023 transfer data released by the UC Information Center.

SMC also held on to the top spot for Black and Latino transfers to the UC system, with 79 Black students and 213 Latino students transferring last year.

SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery called the transfer data "a continuing highlight" that "speaks volumes to the college’s longstanding legacy of all-encompassing student support."

Jeffery praised the school's transfer team, instructors, counselors and staff, "who go the extra mile to ensure that students reach their dream goal of transferring to a four-year college or university or achieving their dream career."

SMC also continues to remain the leading transfer college to USC and Loyola Marymount University (LMU), and continued its streak as the top feeder west of the Mississippi to Columbia University, sending 21 students to the Ivy League school last year.

The college ranked second in total combined transfers to the UC and California State University (CSU) systems, with 2,170 students headed to UC and CSU campuses, according to the data.

“It requires so much work but it pays off with the variety of institutions our students attend after leaving SMC, which never ceases to amaze me,” said Dr. Janet Robinson, SMC Transfer Center faculty leader.

The Transfer Center hosted a number of activities last year that helped students find their ideal destination, including a Fall College Fair attended by 148 four-year schools.

"For the first time, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) sent a representative to offer a workshop for SMC students in order to build a foundation to attract transfers," college officials said.

Also for the first time, SMC hosted a California Community Colleges (CCC) caravan to a college fair highlighting Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) from across the country that was attended by nearly 500 students.

And 600 students last year attended Transferpalooza, where faculty from 21 different SMC departments offered personalized feedback on their transfer applications and personal statements before they were submitted.

In addition. the Transfer Admission Guarantees (TAGs) offered at SMC provide guaranteed admission for students who meet specific requirements to several universities, including six University of California campuses, Loyola Marymount University, Arizona State University (ASU), and many HBCUs, among others.

Minority students also receive help from the Scholars Program, which prepares them to transfer "to the colleges and universities of their choice," SMC officials said.

The program focuses on helping freshman, first-generation college students, students from under-served schools and communities, and non-traditional students prepare for university-level work, officials said.

For more information about SMC’s Transfer Center and its services, visit smc.edu/transfer or email Robinson_Janet@smc.edu.