Hi everyone! 

Before sharing my experience, I want to start by congratulating the new Bruins on your admission to UCLA. Your hard work, dedication, and sacrifices have brought you to this exciting moment. Always remember that your admission was not by chance; you were chosen, and your admission is well-deserved and honored. I want to give a special shout-out to the first-generation students admitted, and congratulations to you, your families, and your community for breaking generational barriers and pursuing higher education! 

My name is Angela (she/her/ella), and I am a second-year student majoring in Psychology with the goal of becoming a Clinical Psychologist for children in underserved communities. I am originally from Hawthorne, California, however, my family immigrated from Guatemala and Mexico. As a first-generation Latina college student, my mindset for choosing a college was rooted in a school that provided strong support for first-generation students and finding a community in which I can immerse myself. I toured multiple campuses and attended yield events, however, the emphasis on growing UCLA’s Latine community and the Academic Advancement Program’s (AAP) mission of supporting students through academic retention is what solidified my choice in choosing UCLA. 

I was first introduced to AAP during First-Year Bruin Day, where I was able to talk to students and staff about the services AAP offered, including Peer Learning sessions, graduate/professional school services, and Academic and Peer Counseling. The AAP students encouraged me to attend the Freshmen & Transfer Summer Program (FSP) presentation to learn more about how I could start my college experience early with full-time guidance and support. At the info session, I learned how FSP is designed to help incoming first-year students gain a head start on their UCLA journey, live alongside a close community of friends and Peer Counselors, receive academic guidance from FSP faculty and Peer Learning Facilitators, take summer courses to meet graduation requirements, and overall prepare students to discover their biggest support system at UCLA.  

After the info session, with the full encouragement from my parents I submitted the FSP application and essentially decided I was choosing UCLA. Before I knew it, it was August, and it was time to start my early UCLA experience. I felt nervous about dorming, having roommates, and taking UCLA-level classes all in seven weeks, especially since this meant leaving home earlier than expected. However, participating in FSP also meant jumpstarting my academics and being introduced early to UCLA with the assistance of Peer Counselors (PCs), staff, and faculty dedicated to supporting first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students. Those seven weeks were filled with making new friends, exploring UCLA and Westwood, hosting late-night study groups, socializing at floor meetings and events, and building long-lasting friendships. In FSP, I got to experience small class settings, which allowed me to connect with professors and collaborate with fellow students in Peer Learning sessions, all while earning credits that would count toward my college and major requirements.  

I truly cherished my time during FSP and being able to connect with my Peer Counselors. PCs lived with us in the dorms and were a constant source of guidance and advice. They helped me reflect upon my imposter syndrome, provided study tips, and continuously reached out to us to ensure we felt fully supported in our classes and comfortable in our transition to college. From the moment I moved in, my PCs emphasized how they would always be there if we needed someone to confide in and talk to during the pivotal moment of moving away from home for the first time and becoming a college student. My PCs were a catalyst in my positive experience in FSP, and their support extended throughout my first year at UCLA. Starting fall quarter, I continued meeting with them for assistance in navigating course planning and class enrollment, which can be overwhelming to handle on your own. Once winter quarter arrived, they encouraged me to apply to the Peer Counseling position. I have had the pleasure of returning to FSP as a PC this past summer and continuing the cycle of mentorship through the academic year. I have loved connecting with students in the summer and the academic year. Whether it was funny high school stories in FSP or academic planning during the school year, I have appreciated all the conversations I have had with students. Being able to alleviate their concerns and make a meaningful impact in the first-generation student community is what makes me love my job and reflect on the opportunities AAP has provided me. 

With my journey of entering UCLA as an FSP student, working as a PC for the program, and continuing my role as an academic year PC, I have experienced first-hand the care and passion AAP staff and student workers have for the shared goal of supporting students throughout their time at UCLA. AAP has opened so many doors for me academically and professionally and has helped me create connections that will last me a lifetime. My advice for future Bruins would be: do not be afraid to try new things and put yourself in new environments. College is a time for growth and to learn more about yourself. FSP is the perfect opportunity and environment for students to start at UCLA with other students who understand the identities of being first-generation, low-income and coming from an underrepresented background. FSP helped me establish my confidence to enter my first year and set me up for success in my educational journey at UCLA. I will always be thankful for the AAP programming, student workers, and full-time staff that have supported me during my time at UCLA. 

Congratulations once again on your admission, and know you will always be welcomed at AAP!