If first-class is the only way to travel then joining the Honors Transfer Program at Skyline College is the only way to transfer. However, unlike fist-class airfare, the Honors Transfer Program is accessible to every student as opposed to just an elite few.

“I think a lot of students harbor the misconception that the honors program doesn’t apply to them. I want to express very sincerely that our program is inclusive rather than exclusive,” Honors Program Coordinator for Skyline College, John Ulloa said. “We don’t deny admission to anyone.”

Since he took on the position as the honors program coordinator in Aug. 2013, Ulloa has been able to have much more of an on campus presence, really “plug-in” and work much more closely with students and other faculty on matters concerning upper level transfers. Ulloa is successfully maintaining relationships and networks with the Bay Honors Consortium, an organization made up of honors directors and counselors from 16 different Northern California colleges to support and promote community college honors programs. In addition, Ulloa works very closely with the UCLA Transfer Alliance Program (TAP). This program is dedicated to making sure students enrolled in the Honors Transfer Program here at Skyline are not only recognized, but given an edge. Though it doesn’t guarantee admission into UCLA, since Skyline is TAP certified your application is placed at the top of the list and your chances are much better.

“The UCLA TAP Alliance is really what draws a lot of students to our program,” Ulloa said. “It’s one of the most competitive universities in the world to get into. Everybody want’s to go to UCLA and our TAP certification definitely gives the student a leg up.”

The UCLA TAP Alliance was established in 1985 and encompasses more than 45 California community colleges, including Skyline. UCLA earmarks TAP certified honors student transfer applications for close attention and monitors them with a scrutinizing eye.

“We make sure we turn every stone over before a decision is made. Once a student has successfully completed the honors program, successfully applied and has been reviewed by the sending college, we know they’ve been certified,” Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, and TAP Alliance Director at UCLA, Betty Glick said. “These student’s files are looked at much more closely. It doesn’t guarantee admission but students who apply through TAP are admitted at a much higher rate.”

In addition, UCLA awards scholarships to the tune of $5,000 each year from private donors based on merit as well as need. According to Glick, more than 40 returning seniors and 19 new juniors are currently on scholarships.

“It’s a two year award with $5,000 given each year,” Glick said.

So what exactly does it take to become enrolled in Skyline’s Honors Transfer Program (HTP)? Students must be eligible for Math 120 and English 100, and maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA in four honors classes with 15 units. (Students interested in UCLA and going through TAP will also need to complete 16 hours of community service.) What if you’re close? What if your GPA is a 3.0? According to Ulloa, you should still apply.

“If a student’s GPA is close enough we can admit that student as a provisional acceptance,” Ulloa said. “We’ll revisit the provisional admissions at the end of the semester and if the students GPA has reached a 3.25, they’re admitted fully into the program.”

According to the Skyline College website, the advantages of being in the honors program are many. Some perks include a designated honors counselor, more time is spent on higher level material, and enhanced transfer opportunities. In addition, students graduating with honors receive priority consideration at certain universities and your transcripts and degrees will be inscribed with a notation that they’ve successfully completed and are a graduate of the Honors Transfer Program.

“The majority of our honors students are UC oriented. The state school is their contingency plan,” Ulloa said. “They set the bar for themselves a little higher.”

~For more information about Skylines Honors Transfer Program contact John Ulloa at [email protected] or or print out an application at http://www.skylinecollege.edu/honorstransfer/index.php.