Thinking About an Associate's for Transfer from a California Community College

I'm a high school junior considering starting at a community college before transferring to a 4-year university. How does the Associate's for Transfer system work at places like Cypress College, LA Harbor College, or Santiago Canyon College?

The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program in California is designed to streamline the transfer process from a California community college to a California State University (CSU). This program was established with the intention to make it simpler for students to make a smooth transfer without losing units or having to repeat courses.

To qualify, you need to meet the General Education requirements, complete 60 transferable semester units, and maintain a minimum GPA, which varies school to school, but is usually around 2.0. Specific ADT programs might also have minimum grade requirements for specific classes.

Once you complete the ADT requirements, you receive priority admission with junior status to the CSU system, though you're not guaranteed admission into a specific major or campus. Still, many students find this preferable as it can save them time and money.

Additionally, once enrolled at a CSU after completing your ADT, you'll only need to complete another 60 credits to earn your Bachelor's Degree, assuming you're full-time.

You mentioned Cypress College, LA Harbor College, and Santiago Canyon College. All of these colleges do offer ADT programs, and have counselors that can guide you specifically on what classes you should take to meet the ADT requirements for your intended major. It's advised to set up a meeting with the transfer center early so that you can develop a clear roadmap of the classes you need to take each semester.

Remember, every community college and every CSU has their own unique policies and programs related to transfer students, so it's really important to talk to the advisors at your community college to understand your best course of action. Keep an eye out for deadlines too, because transfer applications typically have to be submitted a year in advance.