Lone Star College-Montgomery students gather in the lobby of a University of Texas dorm during a daylong campus tour and information session – part of the "Free Ride to UT" event sponsored by the college's Transfer, Recruitment and Career (TRAC) Center. |
Montgomery, learned that the college was offering a free ride last month for 40 students to go to the University of Texas, he couldn't pass it up.
The catch? The "free ride" was actually a 160-mile bus trip to the state's flagship university in Austin, complete with a campus and dormitory tour, multiple sessions with UT admissions counselors, and a panel discussion with former community college students who recently transferred to the state's largest university.
"I am beyond grateful that I was able to go on this trip," said Torres, who woke up at 5 a.m. to catch the chartered bus leaving from LSC-Montgomery. "The best part was being able to hear from other transfer students. They voiced their frustration and obstacles they encountered during the transfer process, and it helped me to understand what to expect as I begin my transition."
Torres, who plans to major in management information systems with a minor in religious studies, hopes to transfer this coming fall semester, adding that "after two years at Lone Star College, I feel more prepared to tackle future endeavors at a university."
The trip, which was sponsored by LSC-Montgomery's Transfer, Recruitment and Career (TRAC) Center, is part of the college's effort to foster a culture of transfer among the students. The "free ride" program is in its second year, having visited Texas A&M last April.
"For many students on the trip, this was their first time to set foot on a university campus," said Matthew Samford, counselor at LSC-Montgomery and supervisor of the TRAC Center. "We want to remove the anxiety that many students have about transferring away from LSC-Montgomery. We think it's been a great success."
Indeed, a survey of the students who went on the free ride shows that every student had a very positive experience, and that the overwhelming majority have a better understanding of the transfer process due to the trip.
Lone Star College-Montgomery students flash the "Hook 'em Horns" sign on their way home from a day trip to the University of Texas at Austin. More than 40 students and staff took part in the college's "Free Ride to UT" event sponsored by the Transfer, Recruitment and Career (TRAC) Center. |
Boliver, who graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 2013, has already applied to UT and is awaiting her acceptance. Once she is admitted, she knows she can handle it.
"Before the bus trip to UT, I wasn't sure about attending a big university in the middle of a busy city, but after walking the campus, meeting some of the current students, and getting a better feel for it, I'm ready."
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45,between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call (936) 273-7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.
Lone Star College System has been opening doors to a better community for more than 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSCS remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion. Today, with 78,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and one of the fastest-growing community college systems in the nation. Dr. Steve Head is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, seven centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.