Counselors Randy Fong and Donna Ramos led a group of 31 students on a college tour of California during the Thanksgiving break. Students visited the University of Southern California, the University of California at Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University, Chapman University, Whittier College, UC San Diego, San Diego State and the University of San Diego.

Students gathered information about each college and college life to help them be able to choose their future colleges.

Junior Nicole Corpuz said, “Instead of just visiting classrooms, we also attended events that were happening on campus so that we could feel the social environment on campus. Visiting the campus is also good because you can decide if you like a bigger or smaller campus.”

For students who don’t know their future careers or are frightened by getting closer to being independent in college, the tour helped.

Ramos said, “For many students it is difficult to imagine themselves in a college setting. The college tour allowed students to see themselves in an actual college. They are able to walk around the campus as a college student. This gives them the hope and motivation to work hard in high school.”

Where a college is located can be as important as the college itself.

Fong said, “We not only toured the colleges but we also took the students around the surrounding communities so that they understand how important it is not only to be on a good campus but also in a good town.”

The group also visited Disneyland and shopping outlets.