By Janelle Ramon | Pulse Staff Reporter
Fewer crowds and a friendly atmosphere brings in students from all over the city to Palo Alto College.
“It’s a very friendly campus,” said Nicole Sosa, a student from the Gateway to College program at Palo Alto College. “It’s a very good school. The teachers are very friendly.”
Since Palo Alto College first opened its doors in 1985 with only 231 students, the student enrollment has increased to more than 9,100 in the fall of 2011. Palo Alto College is a place where many students go to get a higher education for less than it would cost at university.
At Palo Alto, the teachers care about their students and help them succeed in all of their classes. Big universities and colleges have 20,000 students or more. Lower enrollment at Palo Alto means a better student-to-teacher ratio, which means students can get more help from their professors.
“I really, really love the teachers. I like that [Palo Alto] is a really small campus,” said Sheridan Richardson, a sophomore Library Technology major.
“I think that people know each other here…people know each other because it’s smaller. Lots of people go to class with the same people.” said Richardson, who also believed that Palo Alto is different from other schools.
Students expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the professors at Palo Alto. A bond between professors and students ensure that students are on the right path to a successful college experience.
“All the teachers I had made me get involved. They don’t just teach, they interact with the students,” said Michael Canales, another student in the Gateway to College program.
Palo Alto offers many different clubs and organizations. Students can not only build their leadership skills, but they also have the chance to interact with other students who are interested in the same things. There are 22 different clubs that are grouped by Academic Discipline, Common Interest, Faith Based, Honor Society, Leadership and Sports. Some organizations include the Horticulture Club, Society of Future Engineers, Club Earth, Otaku Alliance, Catholic Campus Ministry, Chi Alpha Epsilon Phi Theta Kappa, Student Government Association and PAC Student and Alumni Veterinary Tech Club.
If you’re not interested in organizations, Palo Alto also has athletic programs, ranging from men’s basketball to women’s volleyball to feed your athletic side.
The serene blue sky and peaceful atmosphere that surrounds Palo Alto College makes a big impression on many students. Some students who have visited other Alamo Colleges or transferred to Palo Alto note the difference immediately upon arriving.
“I mean it’s nice here. It’s better than the other schools,” said Melissa Alonzo, a freshman Bio Medical Science major. “I think [Palo Alto College] is really better.”
Alonzo, a student who showed interest in the Vet Tech program came to Palo Alto College from Northwest Vista College. She also expressed her appreciation of Palo Alto for being less crowded.
Renee Tooze, a sophomore Studio Art major, also said many positive things about Palo Alto.
“I like the campus. I think it’s nice. I went to San Antonio College (SAC), and at SAC it’s just way too close together and [you] can’t find parking.”
Students drive from all over San Antonio to attend Palo Alto College. For students who live close by, it’s just an added bonus.