Maintaining a high GPA can pay off greatly for students interested in transferring with the Scholar’s Program.

The program, offered by ASGCC and run by Dana Marterella, offers enlisted students priority consideration when applying to transfer to UCs such as UCLA, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, and UC Irvine.

Other colleges that offer priority consideration include CSU Long Beach, CSU Fullerton, CalPoly Pomona, Chapman University, Mills College, La Sierra University, Azuza Pacific University, San Diego State University, Pitzer College, Occidental College, and Pomona College.

“Schools nationwide also see the program as an advantage when looking at applications,” said Mariam Mosinyan, communications major and secretary to Marterella.

The program requires incoming freshmen to have an unweighted 3.25 GPA or higher as well as necessary supporting documents.

Those documents include high school transcripts, college transcripts, a copy of placement scores, a sample essay and a letter of recommendation.

“We have about 130 students in the program right now,” said Mosinyan. “Everyone who meets the requirements should apply.”

However, current GCC students with a 3.0 GPA and at least three semesters left to transfer can apply as well. Once enlisted, students must take six honors classes in two years.

Honors classes are usually limited to 25 students and are more intensive than standard classes.

“It sounds like a great program,” said Armen Kebabchyan, 19, accounting major. “Transferring to college is so competitive these days so if you can get an advantage, go for it.”

Once in the program, students are also required to maintain a 3.0 GPA, complete a minimum of 15 hours of community service and complete 12 units per semester.

“Students in the program participate in fundraising events for the community. Students who don’t participate are placed on probation,” said Mosinyan.

Besides priority consideration, there are many other benefits for those in the Scholar’s Program.
“There is also a private study room and students can organize their own study groups,” said Mosinyan.

Students in the Scholars Program are also eligible for scholarships.

“At the end of the year we have a banquet for all the students. The main event is when we give out scholarships with money that we raised,” said Mary Abramyan, biochemistry major and director of academics committee.

Students interested in applying to the Scholar’s Program can find more information at http://www.glendale.edu/index.aspx?page=232.

Students can contact Marterella at extension 5884 or [email protected].

Students who don’t meet the requirements for the program can still apply for scholarships and financial aid such as the FAFSA and the BOG fee waiver.

The Financial Aid office is open Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information on transferring, the Transfer Center is located on the second floor of San Rafael and is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.