Hello future Bruins! My name is Kelsey Takaha and I am a second-year transfer and fourth-year student. I transferred from the College of San Mateo. I am pursuing a double major in Communications and Gender Studies here at UCLA. Some of my other involvements on campus include working as a coordinator for the Student Transfer Outreach and Mentor Program (STOMP), being an outreach coordinator for the Alumni Scholars Club, serving as a mentor in the Transfer Mentor Program, and conducting independent research in the Department of Communication.

First and foremost, congratulations on your admission into the #1 public university in the nation! It feels like just yesterday that I was anxiously refreshing my inbox for my much anticipated admission decision, and if you are anything like me, the excitement of manifesting your dream of becoming a Bruin is unparalleled. I remember the overwhelming sense of emotion knowing that I would soon get to walk under the arches of Royce Hall, proudly sport blue and yellow, and explore my new backyard of Westwood. Despite all my excitement, I was also keenly aware that as a transfer student aiming to graduate within two years upon transfer, I had an expedited timeline to achieve all my goals. Yet, if I were to maximize the transfer experience anywhere, I was confident in my decision to complete my undergraduate career at UCLA for its unwavering commitment to ensure the success of its transfer students.

While UCLA was always the dream school, I had a newfound sense of appreciation and attraction to the university for its purposeful efforts aimed at seamlessly integrating transfers into the larger Bruin community. Entering as a transfer student, I was eager to continue building upon my academic, personal, and professional growth that I first fostered during my time at community college. Although I recall feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of clubs, organizations, and opportunities afforded to students, I also felt reassured by the myriad of support systems and resources in place specifically for transfers. First, I was enamored by the opportunity to obtain an education from a top tier, R1 research institution. Having received three associates degrees in communication, psychology, and sociology from community college, I was interested in building upon this interdisciplinary foundation after transferring by double majoring. I was also intent on continuing to challenge myself academically through the honors program and building upon my research skills. The personalized counseling and guidance I received through my new student advisor at my new student orientation (who also happened to be a gender studies student and later became a friendly face in my first gender studies course) reassured me that my academic goals were attainable. Not only have I discovered that double majoring is possible, but through meticulous degree planning, I have learned that many courses are actually cross listed between the communications and gender studies departments making obtaining a double major easier! Moreso, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the honors program accepts eight units of honors credit from your community college, easing the remaining requirements of my honors workload. Lastly, all students are afforded countless opportunities to participate in research in varying capacities. For me personally, the departmental honors program has allowed me the creative freedom to explore an area of personalized interest – that is, the effects of face masks on nonverbal communication – all while being supported financially with a scholarship from the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program.

In addition to the plethora of academic opportunities, I was also excited to engross myself in the lively social scene at UCLA. When people ask me “why did you choose UCLA?” or “what makes UCLA so special?” my answer always comes back to the people. It truly is the contagious energy and spirit of the Bruin community that make this college environment feel like home. I remember a few weeks after learning of my admission I received a welcome call from a current transfer student in the Alumni Scholars Club congratulating me on my admission, welcoming me into the community, and answering any questions I had about the transfer process. This initial conversation foreshadowed the amazing community to which I was about to join; from that point on, I made it a point to say yes to all opportunities (within reason, of course) as I was intent on developing my previously established passions and also curious to explore new interests. I can confidently say that UCLA is the place to do just that! In the first week of school, UCLA hosts the enormous activities fair which showcases the over 1200 clubs and organizations on campus. At this event, I learned of the volunteer organization, School on Wheels, and spontaneously joined a surf club. I also rushed a panhellenic sorority in my first week, which I was surprisingly pleased to find many other transfers doing the same. And arguably the best experience through UCLA was the opportunity to study abroad last summer in Florence, Italy. As a transfer student, I did not know if it was possible to study abroad, and if it were, I did not want to miss any time during my already shortened time on campus. Yet, through the University of California Education Abroad Program, I embarked on a summer program lasting six weeks – the best six weeks of travel, food, friends, and cultural immersion beyond imagination.

As my undergraduate career is coming to an end in just a few short weeks, I am able to reflect on the past two years with pride of the student, advocate, and woman I have become. Despite entering with the inevitable imposter syndrome, I quickly realized that my preparedness and work ethic has equipped me with the skills necessary to excel academically alongside my peers. I have reaped many benefits from exposing myself to different opportunities and learned how to initiate conversations with peers and even strangers because you never know what friendship might form or where a connection might lead. I often catch myself divulging my transfer identity to strangers during initial conversations, and am always pleasantly surprised when a peer does the same in return as I know we already have a commonality that bonds us. Especially impactful throughout my journey has been my work with STOMP for it has allowed me to give back to the transfer community – a community that has provided unwavering support throughout my journey. From organizing various outreach events to executing our annual STOMP conference hosting 600 prospective community college students to even doing an Instagram takeover for Undergraduate Admission, I know that my younger self would be beyond proud, and perhaps in disbelief, of what I was able to accomplish.

To future Bruins, and particularly transfers, who happen upon this, I hope you found my story to be illustrative of the endless possibilities of success that are offered here at UCLA. Just know that mine is only one of many stories that compose the diverse transfer community. And while transfer journeys are anything but traditional and there is not one right timeline to complete higher education, I whole-heartedly believe that you are still able to achieve all your “traditional” college goals and maximize your collegiate experience as a transfer student here at UCLA. The opportunities, resources, and community are awaiting your arrival with open arms, and it is my hope that you accept our welcome! As always, you can count on my support and love as a fellow transfer. Go Bruins!