Which colleges are transfer-friendly for community college students?

I'm thinking about starting at a community college, but I want to make sure I can transfer to a good four-year university later. Does anyone have recommendations for colleges that are really transfer-friendly?

The pathway from community college to a four-year university is a common one, and many colleges are quite receptive to transfer students from community colleges. However, some are known for their particularly transfer-friendly policies.

The University of California (UC) system is well-known for their commitment to accepting in-state community college transfers. The system even has a Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) for students from California community colleges that guarantees admission to one of six UC campuses when certain conditions are met.

The California State University (CSU) system also has strong transfer policies and a similar guarantee program called the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program. If you earn an Associate Degree for transfer at a California community college, you're guaranteed admission to a CSU school.

You might also consider private institutions known for their supportive transfer policies. For instance, the University of Southern California has a program called the Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP), specifically designed for students who aim to transfer from their current college (such as a community college).

In the Northeast, Cornell University also has a strong reputation for accommodating transfer students, particularly into their College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and College of Human Ecology.

Finally, some community colleges have articulation agreements with local four-year colleges and universities. These agreements lay out the courses and grades that students must complete in order to be guaranteed admission to specific programs at the university. Check with your community college's advising office to see if it has any articulation agreements in place.

Remember, each college has its own transfer admission process and you should familiarize yourself with their requirements. Your success at your community college (GPA, rigor of classes, etc.) will play an integral role in your admission process. You might also want to consider gaining some compelling extracurricular experiences that can set you apart in the transfer application process.