Advance

LA HABRA – Sixteen-year-old Juan Pulido is earning the grades to qualify for a University of California school, but he’s not sure if he should try a community college first.

So the Sonora High School junior asked someone who knows firsthand.

After listening Sunday to a panel of recent college graduates, Pulido approached speaker Anthony Villa, who went straight to UC Riverside after receiving his diploma from the same high school. Although the university worked out for him, Villa advised Pulido that community colleges are cheaper and offer more preparation for four-year schools.

“It’s all in what you want to do. You’ve got to be smart,” said Villa, 23, who graduated from college in June.

It was the kind of conversation organizers of the “La Habra Goes to College” day envisioned. With about 400 attendees Sunday, it was the largest event so far for the 4-year-old nonprofit Advance center, which offers free college advice to students. The event was designed mostly for bilingual families and first-generation college-goers such as Pulido. Two of Pulido’s older brothers are the first ones in his family to attend college.

The center tries to ease the burden for overloaded school counselors and help families with tough applications.

In 2004-05, three counselors were on staff at the 2,423-student La Habra High. Sonora High, with 2,021 students, had two counselors. About 44 percent of La Habra High seniors and about 58 percent at Sonora High took the required courses for state universities in 2003-04.

At most college events, booths for universities and test-prep centers are set up mainly to attract top students.

But this event was different: No college representatives were there, except those who provided help with applications and information on programs that guide students who generally don’t go to college. The city of La Habra offered free space for the event.

Panels of parents, college counselors and recent college students gave their personal advice, as well as financial aid information. Interpreters were available for Spanish-speaking parents such as Rosalba Arriz?n, who came with her two sons.

Arriz?n is trying to enroll her oldest son, 19-year-old Abraham, in a special education program at a community college, but she’s having trouble reaching someone.

“I didn’t realize anything,” said Arriz?n, who sat in a group with an interpreter during panels. “This is good. This is orienting me on how to take the first step.”

In another room, students could seek assistance filling out state-university applications on laptop computers.

Eric Cruz, 17, typed in his form for Cal Poly Pomona. His parents, immigrants from Mexico, didn’t attend college.

“Although we have counselors, they don’t really have time to reach out to everyone,” Cruz said. “Advance is pretty much doing it from their heart.”

Villa, who sat on the panel, said he was excited to help younger students following in his footsteps.

“I wish they had this when I was in high school,” Villa said.