Many successful people have graduated from Bethel. Ever wondered how the whole myth of “oh my kids can’t get into a UC if they graduate from Bethel” started? It started with a rumor. A rumor is a circulating story or report of uncertain truth. One person thinks the rumor to be true and tells another. Soon, the supposed truth gets to all the parents around school. As the Jewish proverb states, “What you don’t see with your eyes, don’t witness with your mouth.”

“What you don’t see with your eyes, don’t witness with your mouth.”  – Jewish Proverb

If parents really researched their facts before they spoke, they would know that many former graduates and even several students of this 2010’s class have been accepted to many UCs. Here are a few of the students : Asir Fiola ’93, Nhien Tran ’07, Timothy Wright ’09, and Tammy Huynh ’10.

To prepare students for college, Mrs. Courtney Bakan, high school guidance counselor, encourages students to have a goal from 9-12 grade. They must perform well all these four years of high school. Also, the top three students of the Junior class, are able to participate in the Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) program. The ELC program allows almost every school counselor to send in their top three students from the Junior class that year. In the summer, the three students that had their transcripts sent in, will get mail from the ELC program.

ELC program recognizes the accomplishments of these students and this increases the chances of those three to get accepted into a UC without applying. In order to be a part of this program, there are various requirements. One must have taken their SATs before Junior year had ended and also maintain a very high GPA. Also, there are certain courses that must have been completed. ELC accepts the top 4% of students expected to graduate over all.

Mrs. Bakan sends the transcripts of these three students to the ELC representative. This program allows almost a guarantee to a UC. Not all students will attend a UC, but they have the opportunity. Another way that Mrs. Bakan helps the students is by reminding them to take their SATs which is essential to preparation before applying.

“Bethel did a tremendous job of preparing me for the rigors of academic life at UCLA. The self-discipline I learned at Bethel was essential to my success at college”, said Asir Fiola, 1993 alumnus. Asir graduated from Bethel and was blessed to be accepted to four prestigious UC schools : Irvine, Santa Cruz, Riverside, and UCLA.

“Every student is ultimately responsible for what schools they get into. I don’t care what school you go to. If you don’t try and put the effort needed to get into the school of your choice, then you won’t,” said Timothy Wright, alumnus.

Many parents have the mindset that since seniors don’t attend a UC post high school, that they weren’t accepted. What they fail to realize is that students do get accepted, but don’t attend for various reasons.

Not every student comes out and says exactly why they did not attend a UC. It could be for various reasons. One possible reason would be available majors. For example, Wright was accepted to UCI, UC Merced, UCR, and even UC Davis before applying. He was part of the ELC program as well.                           However, he now attends Cal State Fullerton.

Wright said, “UCI was the closest UC school I was accepted to. While being a very prestigious well known school, it was not the right fit for me.

“UCI is known for its strong math and science programs, but it almost completely lacks an art program. CSUF is known as having a very good art program especially the especially in the area of graphic design.

“It was not an issue of UC vs state school. You can’t compare those very well. You really have to look at each individual school’s strengths and weaknesses.”

Huynh adds that she too would choose a Cal State over a UC if it had a better program for the major that she was going for.

Often times, money is also an reason for not attending a UC school to which a student was accepted.

“Many times, whether looking at UC schools or even private colleges, students are afraid to apply because they look at the cost of tuition and assume they cannot afford it,” said Mrs. Jennifer Simonds, history teacher.

“This is why many students from our school do not attend UCs. They fail to apply for financial aid and even grants. Most students also won’t try for scholarships because many of them require essays,” Simonds adds.

“Bethel goes above and beyond when preparing their students for college,” Wright says. “My time at Bethel taught me to think for myself, to understand what truth is and how to deal with having a full plate.”

“Bethel goes above and beyond when preparing their students for college.” – Tim Wright ’09

Wright adds, “Bethel is one of the few places that one could be involved in so many things on top of regular school stuff. Bethel taught me the character and determination and skills needed to handle going to

school and working in the real life.

“I think one of the strongest areas that Bethel has provided me with is the necessary communication skills both written and oral.”

Parents and students alike need to consider that beyond the name of the school is the fact that some Cal States have better programs for certain majors than UCs do.