Tips for Completing an Associate Degree for Transfer at Santa Monica College

I'm thinking about enrolling at Santa Monica College to complete an ADT. What should I be aware of to ensure a successful transfer to a four-year university, and are there any specific requirements I should focus on?

Enrolling at Santa Monica College (SMC) and aiming to complete an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) is a solid plan. It will give you a guaranteed admission to many California State Universities and allow you to seamlessly transfer.

Here are some important things to consider:

1. Understand the ADT: The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) is a special type of associate degree that provides guaranteed transfer pathways to California State Universities (CSUs). However, keep in mind, it only guarantees admission to a CSU campus, not necessarily to the specific campus or major you might desire.

2. Choose the Right Major: When signing up for the ADT program, be sure to choose a major that aligns with your intended bachelor’s degree program. Doing so will ensure that most of your credits apply directly to your intended bachelor's degree.

3. Meet the Admission Requirements: Each ADT program has its own set of admission requirements, so pay close attention to those. Typically, you'll need to complete 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer, including General Education and major-specific courses with a grade of "C" or better.

4. Academic Performance: Maintain a competitive GPA. Although the ADT gives you a guaranteed pathway to a CSU, individual campuses or programs may have their own GPA requirements. Strive for high academic performance to keep all doors open.

5. Fulfill General Education Requirements: Completing the IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) can be beneficial. This is a series of courses that California community college students can follow to satisfy lower-division general education requirements at any CSU or UC campus.

6. Seek Advising: This is perhaps one of the most essential steps. Regularly meet with your SMC counselor to go over your academic plan. They are the best resource to ensure you're on track with your courses, meeting all requirements, and ready for a smooth transfer.

7. Apply On Time: Make sure you meet all deadlines for admission applications, financial aid, and housing if that is something you need. These deadlines can vary by campus, so keep track of them and apply on time.

As long as you're diligent and mindful of your course selection and maintaining academic excellence, an ADT can be a very beneficial path to a four-year university. Good luck in your academic journey.