By Isabella Vargas
The first day on a new campus can be very nerve-racking for first-year students, but imagine what it must feel like for an incoming transfer student jumping into a place many other students have known for the last three to four years. A Mount Saint Mary’s University senior, Katherine Bonilla, shared her story and experience on how the Mount helped her throughout her transfer process.
“I transferred from El Camino College. I have always wanted to come to Mount Saint Mary’s. It was my goal to come here; my high school was around the corner from Doheny, so it was like I grew up around the area, and the school was always there,” said Bonilla.
The Mount was her goal, and Katherine had to understand that there would be many steps she needed to take when it came to going there. Being first-generation and taking the better route financially, she was able to ease her way into college life, preparing herself for her transition into a four-year college.
“I was a little scared to go straight into a four-year because I’m first generation, so I figured going to community college first wasn’t going to be that much of a challenge because I wouldn’t be going to a super big school. I would still get that college experience, so when I did transfer, I would feel prepared,” said Bonilla.
Instead of doing the usual two years and then transferring to a four-year college, Katherine took a different path to attending community college. She allowed herself more time to realize what she wanted to study before she arrived at the Mount.
“I originally was going to do two years (at El Camino), but then I ended up doing a third year because, at the time, I was a nursing major, so I knew it would take me a little bit longer. Once I graduated, I went back for another year because I decided to change my major, so because of all the major switches, it technically took me four years to transfer out,” said Bonilla.
Once she realized what she wanted to study and it came down to finalizing the decision to transfer, the opportunities being thrown at her helped Katherine decide to transfer to the Mount.
“Getting the opportunities that the Mount has to offer and, of course, the Marymount scholarship, I think, was the sign that kind of made me finalize my decision to come to the Mount,” said Bonilla.
New beginnings come with new challenges. When Katherine first arrived at the Mount for her first semester in the Fall of 2023, she experienced a bit of imposter syndrome and had to learn how to make friends all over again.
“People have been here for one, two, three, four years already, so they already knew their way around, but for me, I kind of felt like an outsider. Like, do I belong here? The imposter syndrome hit me a little bit,” said Bonilla.
It only took her the first semester to get comfortable and learn her way around the Mount. By the time the second semester started, Katherine had started to get involved and met so many new people.
“Because the school is so small and you see the same people at these events all the time, I was able to meet people like that, and just being involved, I learned to talk to more people at the Mount, especially with being a student leader,” said Bonilla.
When it came to getting her questions answered and all the information and help she needed from the Mount at the beginning of her transfer process, she leaned on the transfer admissions counselors for the help and support she needed.
“Starting from applying to the Mount, everyone has a specific transfer admissions counselor they can connect with, and my experience in that was really good. She was always reaching out to me, making sure I applied, and any time I had a question about the process, I would email her, and she would reply really quickly, so I think that was very resourceful and helpful for me,” said Bonilla.
Talani Solia, a transfer admissions counselor at the Mount, shared the process from her end and how the transfer department helps students strive and reach their educational goals, many of which aligned with Katherine’s steps to achieve her academic goals.
“I go to several community colleges, usually the main colleges being Río Hondo College, Pasadena City, Glendale, ELAC, and so forth. Just kind of like targeting the nine main community colleges in the L.A. County, mainly just scheduling visits with their transfer centers or doing fair events at their college campuses,” said Solia.
Talani has experienced what it was like to be a part of the transfer process, not just by helping students, but by being a transfer herself. Having been in the students’ shoes before, she knew she wanted to work in the transfer department to help these students achieve their educational goals.
“I am a transfer student myself; I went to Río Hondo College before I transferred out to a four-year university. Being in this position, I get to help students move through the funnel, whether Mount Saint Mary’s is going to be their next home or not,” said Solia.
Knowing that she is making a difference in these students’ and their families' lives is why Talani enjoys working in this department; she finds it rewarding.
“I work with a lot of students that come from different backgrounds, many students that come from low-income backgrounds, but just working with students in general and being able to fulfill their educational goals and seeing the look on not just their faces but their families' faces once they get admitted is such a nice thing. Being able to witness that milestone with them and their families is rewarding,” said Solia.
The transfer process always raises many questions for students, but having counselors like Talani, who encourage all questions to be asked, makes the transfer process much easier. Throughout the transfer process, Katherine learned not to be afraid to ask questions and ask for help. Talani shared how valid each question being asked is and how just asking questions could help so many students access many more opportunities.
