Transfer to UCLA | Study of Religion with minors in Education and Community Engagement
and Social Change
As a high school dropout and nontraditional student, coming to SMC was never about proving anyone wrong. It was about seeing what else was possible for my life. I had built a career and raised a family, but I had never pursued an education for myself. What started as curiosity quickly became something deeper. In a philosophy course, I learned about the four stages of life in Hindu thought. The final stage, where one turns inward in search of meaning, hit me hard. That is exactly what I was doing at SMC: turning inward, asking bigger questions, and finally prioritizing my own growth. That moment shifted everything. I am now transferring to UCLA after being accepted to 11 universities, including UC Berkeley. SMC did not just prepare me. It awakened something in me.
SMC redefined what success meant for me. It helped me channel my lived experiences into academic purpose. I launched Miseducated Dropout, an initiative to help others like me, those counted out or overlooked, find a path to college. I found my voice as a scholar, an advocate, and a future law student. Education became the tool I did not know I needed to unlock the next chapter of my life.
The people and planning made all the difference. From the Scholars Program, Phi Theta Kappa, EOPS, Black Collegians Umoja, and the Law Pathway Program, I found a network that supported and pushed me. But one of the smartest moves I made was creating a strong educational plan early and cross-referencing requirements across multiple majors. By strategically selecting classes that overlapped, I was able to earn four associate degrees. SMC taught me how to work the system in my favor and how to leave no opportunity on the table. I stayed on the Dean’s List every semester, not just because I worked hard, but because I had guidance, mentorship, and a plan.
Kevin Benitez from the Veteran Resource Center, who helped map out every step of my academic journey with care and clarity. Chris Baccus, whose advice on college admissions gave me an edge I did not know I needed. Professor Trisden Shaw, whose class sparked the idea for my nonprofit. And Rhea Williams, whose belief in me was constant and real.
Do not be afraid to begin again. Your past does not disqualify you. Sometimes it is the very thing that sets you apart. Use every resource, ask every question, and take up space. Education is not just about transferring. It is about transforming. Surround yourself with positive, ambitious people. I always made sure to sit next to the students who were laser-focused and academically driven. I knew that kind of energy would rub off on me. And it did. Having an accountability partner was just as important. My friend and I stayed on this journey together, encouraging each other, swapping notes, applying to schools side by side, and never letting the other fall behind. Also, make sure to look into the Success Grant. Every bit of support helps, and that grant can be a game-changer.