Does my community college GPA transfer to a UC school?

I'm looking at transferring from community college to a UC school and am confused about how GPA factors into the transfer. Does my GPA just move over as it is, or are there adjustments?

When you transfer to a UC school, the admission officers will primarily consider your GPA from your community college, but your actual GPA will not physically 'transfer over.' In other words, once you transfer and begin at a UC, you start with a clean slate, and your GPA is reset to 0.0. From there, the only grades that will impact your GPA will be the ones you earned at the UC school.

However, your community college GPA is extremely important in the transfer admissions decision, because it proves that you're academically prepared to succeed at a four-year institution. It's arguably the largest factor that the UC schools will look at when considering your application. Keep in mind that you often need a certain GPA to apply for specific programs or majors, so ensure your grades meet these requirements.

But also remember, a high GPA doesn't guarantee admission. Admissions also consider things like extracurricular activities, application essays, and more for a holistic review of your application.

Finally, your community college GPA may be used to determine course placement or credit allotment, even if your actual GPA at your new institution is completely separate. Make sure to check with the specific UC school(s) you're applying to to see what their requirements are - they'll likely have information on their website, or you can always reach out to the admissions office directly for any questions specific to your situation or general clarification.