Colleges visit Diamond Bar

Paul+Kanarek+of+Collegewise+and+Princeton+Review+spoke+at+DBHS+college+night.

Paul Kanarek of Collegewise and Princeton Review spoke at DBHS college night.

To help decide the students’ majors and ideal college of interest, many schools have come to present themselves and their admissions process. 

On the evening of Sep. 15, approximately twenty colleges set up booths in the school gym for the annual college symposium, open to all DBHS students and parents. Those in attendance met representatives from various colleges across the country to obtain information, ask questions, and indulge in merchandise, with around 200 parents and students in attendance at the event.

Guest speaker Paul Kanarek of Collegewise and Princeton Review presented an event which discussed shifts in the admissions landscape, providing updated information to assist a family’s college admissions journey.

“[The visit] helped ‘cause I could get familiar with my colleges of interest,” senior Albert Chammas said. “[I] could ask the guidance officers for information about my major of interest.”

Following the college night, schools across the country started visiting DBHS and meeting with prospective students. Notable schools that have visited include Cal State Fullerton, UCLA, University of Hawaii and Azusa Pacific University. Ivy League schools like Princeton and Dartmouth have also paid DBHS a visit.

“Princeton has always been a dream school of mine,” senior Aaron Chang said. “I received more information than I had previously known about the campus life and environment.”

The meetings contained information that ranged from the curriculum of the school to campus life, including an informative Q&A segment for students looking to gather more information.

“The meeting was really informative and was centered around us. [The representative] really emphasized fit over recruitment, which was something I was hoping for,” senior Rachel Yang said. “Having visited Dartmouth in the past, I was already interested in applying, but going to the meeting clarified my questions on financial aid and music or extracurricular activities.” 

Some colleges that will visit in late October include USC, Lafayette, and Cal Baptist.

“We’re seeing a very great turnout to these events, specifically the UCs and privates,” college center counselor Luz Cabada said. “I think it has been good for the students since they were able to talk to a direct representative from these schools. Most of the representatives that come are going to be the ones reading applications.”