On Saturday, November 5, Cal State LA held the Golden Eagle Fest for students to discover the campus and learn about why they should apply. Mrs. Heilemann and Ms. Ochoa accompanied a group of South El Monte High School seniors on the field trip to the campus.

From 9 am to 1 pm Cal State LA was open for people to explore the campus, meet with faculty, advisors, and current students, get help with the fall 2023 application, and determine admission status. Those who submitted their application before October 28th and RSVP’d for the Golden Eagle Fest were eligible for on-site admission. Those who were accepted received a certificate and shirt. Some South El Monte High School seniors who’ve been accepted into Cal State LA include Isabella Quevedo, Angelina Almazan, and Ruben Reyes. “I honestly feel less stressed now that I got my early acceptance,” Angelina shared. “I had been extremely nervous but once I had learned I was accepted, the nerves quickly turned into excitement. 

Aside from on-site admission, there were multiple campus tours available. The housing tour was quite popular seeing as to how many groups were coming in and out of the dorms. Student tour guides led each group to the South Village Residence Hall, which is the hall designated for freshmen and sophomores. People had the opportunity to step foot in and see for themselves what an actual dorm looks and feels like. The dorm displayed was a double which was small but still comfy. They also had the chance to check out the co-ed bathrooms they would be sharing with the rest of the floor if they choose to dorm. Senior Jazlyn Muniz, shared, “I was pleasantly surprised by how the dorms looked in real life; they’re not at all what I expected. I was also shocked at how one stall in the restroom had both a shower and a toilet.” In addition to the rooms, there are also study spaces inside the residence halls. These spaces are free of charge however they need to be reserved weeks/months in advance. They can be used for study groups, meetings, or a quiet study area for yourself. The inside typically consists of a table with chairs, a whiteboard, outlets, a television, and couches. However the room sizes vary along with the stuff inside. 

South Village is conveniently located next to the fitness center, dining hall, and village market. Residents have access to the yoga and spin room, meditation room, and wellness zone. The dining hall offers a wide variety of food for all the students, they also serve plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. If you plan to dine in the dining hall frequently, just know a meal plan is required. Residents are free to use the community kitchen if they choose to. The village market is a convenience store which carries snacks, coffee, and other beverages. This is perfect for those who need a quick grab and go snack in between classes or during late night study sessions. 

There was a wide variety of clubs, organizations, and informational booths throughout the campus. These booths provided information and flyers for those interested, and those who simply wanted to learn more. They also gave away plenty of Cal State LA swag such as tote bags, lanyards, cups, pencils, and shirts. There were workshops being held regarding Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), financial aid, and fall 2023 applications. EOP is a program of support services. It’s designed for low income and educationally disadvantaged students who need that extra support throughout their college experience. 

Furthermore, the Golden Eagle Fest was a great way for those who applied to determine if Cal State LA is the right school for them.