LSC-Montgomery provides 'free ride' to University of Texas

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – When Ivan Torres, a student at Lone Star College-Montgomery, learned that the college was offering a free ride last month for 40 students to go to the University of Texas, he couldn't pass it up.

The catch? The "free ride" was actually a 160-mile bus trip to the state's flagship university in Austin, complete with a campus and dormitory tour, multiple sessions with UT admissions counselors, and a panel discussion with former community college students who recently transferred to the state's largest university.

"I am beyond grateful that I was able to go on this trip," said Torres, who woke up at 5 a.m. earlier this month to catch the chartered bus leaving from LSC-Montgomery. "The best part was being able to hear from other transfer students. They voiced their frustration and obstacles they encountered during the transfer process, and it helped me to understand what to expect as I begin my transition."

Torres, who plans to major in management information systems with a minor in religious studies, hopes to transfer this coming fall semester, adding that "after two years at Lone Star College, I feel more prepared to tackle future endeavors at a university."

The trip, which was sponsored by LSC-Montgomery's Transfer, Recruitment and Career (TRAC) Center, is part of the college's effort to foster a culture of transfer among the students. The "free ride" program is in its second year, having visited Texas A&M last April.

"For many students on the trip, this was their first time to set foot on a university campus," said Matthew Samford, counselor at LSC-Montgomery and supervisor of the TRAC Center. "We want to remove the anxiety that many students have about transferring away from LSC-Montgomery. We think it's been a great success."

Indeed, a survey of the students who went on the free ride shows that every student had a very positive experience, and that the overwhelming majority have a better understanding of the transfer process due to the trip.

"I can't wait to transfer," said Scarlet Boliver, a second-year student who intends to major in neuroscience at UT. "I love it here at LSC-Montgomery; it is a great place to start. At first, I was a little bummed out about attending community college, but the instructors here are really top of the line and the campus is great. Now, I've gotten used to going to college, so I'm ready to take the next step and transfer to a university."

Boliver, who graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 2013, has already applied to UT and is awaiting her acceptance. Once she is admitted, she knows she can handle it.

"Before the bus trip to UT, I wasn't sure about attending a big university in the middle of a busy city, but after walking the campus, meeting some of the current students, and getting a better feel for it, I'm ready."

LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45,between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call (936) 273-7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.