College Fair Offers Opportunities to High School Students

Loma Linda Academy was host to a Seventh-day Adventist college fair, which featured a broad array of Seventh-day Adventist colleges from around the country last Wednesday, Oct. 2. Students were exposed to some of their post-high school options and were presented with answers to many questions on the college and post-high school process. Kurt Dritlein, a student attendee and soon-to-be graduate, remarked that “the fair had plenty to choose from,” and that the staff was also willing to answer questions and concerns from students and parents alike. On top of that, the event provided school applications, without typical application fees. Lasting for a total of eight hours, the event saw constant traffic throughout the day. There were nearly unlimited options for the students, including booths featuring schools that cater to different interests and career choices, and universities close to home and far away. When asked what advice he would give to students with concerns about traveling far from home for college, Brian Gauther, an admissions counselor at Washington Adventist University, said, “It’s not as far away as they think it is.” And though the idea of leaving home can be an intimidating thought for many students, many young adults would thrive on the experience, should it be a direction that they are interested in taking, he added. To help with those choices, the colleges displayed information on scholarships they offered. Washington Adventist University gave out $7 million in scholarships last year alone, and other programs have been set in place in all the schools to ensure the best education for those that need the assistance. Cody Breyer, enrollment counselor at La Sierra University, took time to inform the students, parents and community of the programs and assistance available. This kind of one-on-one contact was an opportunity to get the “direct, honest answers” that everyone was seeking, Breyer said. Ruben Covarrubias of Southern Adventist University said, “If you start college, finish it.” He added that a college degree is what potential employers look at among applicants. With college application early deadlines nearing, the fair aimed to inform students and their parents of the college process, while also taking some of the unease out of the process with plenty of resources available.