With a new year underway and admissions notifications going out in just a few weeks, this is a busy and exciting time in our office. Our counselors are planning trips to schools and events throughout California, across the United States, and around the world to meet with newly admitted students. Our events team is putting the finishing touches on Highlander Day, our annual open house and admitted student celebration.

In this edition, we're excited to introduce you to one member of the Undergraduate Admissions team. Jessica Verazas is the assistant director of transfer recruitment and evaluation and a UCR alumna. She has an A.A. in Liberal Studies from College of the Desert, a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in International Affairs from UCR, and an M.A. in School Counseling from the University of Redlands. She started her career in Undergraduate Admissions while still a student at UCR and answers a few questions about her work.

What do you like best about working with transfer students?
As a former transfer student, I love working with transfer students because it's a way that I can give back and do my part to try to continue to demystify the transfer process. Also each student comes with their own unique educational journey, and in my time working with transfer students, I've almost never come across a student with the same academic record or experience. Furthermore, transfer students are extremely passionate, driven, and persistent, and I feel honored to get to be a small part of their academic journey.

What advice do you have for transfer students interested in applying to UCR?
The best advice that I have for transfer students is to focus on their academic preparation, which means taking the correct courses they need for general education and their major as well as having a strong GPA. Also, don't wait until the last minute to take the required math courses they need to transfer. Look into and take advantage of the many support programs that are available to students and especially transfer students. Coming from personal experience, getting involved on campus and getting out of your comfort zone is what truly makes for an unforgettable experience. Lastly, don't be afraid to ask for help.

Why do you think UCR is a great university for transfer students?
UCR is a great university for transfer students because the campus is really dedicated to transfer student success both in and out of the classroom. Our campus has a very transfer-receptive culture and there are a lot programs in place to ensure that transfer students are successful even before they come to campus. In addition, when there is need for transfer students, the campus is willing to listen and act.

Highlander Day – Transfer is May 2! See why so many students follow their hearts to UCR at this open house for admitted and perspective transfer students.

We recently sent an email to all applicants with instructions on how to log into their MyUCR accounts. MyUCR is where admissions notifications and financial aid awards will be posted, and where admitted students will receive updates about their admission.

Fall 2020 admissions notifications will be sent out on a rolling basis beginning in early March, so remind your students to log in to their MyUCR accounts before then.

As your students start gathering their transcripts and test scores, just a reminder that we do not accept incomplete transcripts.

The Transfer Application Update (TAU) priority deadline was Jan. 31. If your students haven't added their fall 2019 courses and grades yet, they can do so on the University of California Admissions website.