Bakersfield College to UC transfer process

I'm hoping to transfer from Bakersfield College to a UC school. What does the application process entail, and what specific requirements or steps should I follow to increase my chances of success?

Transferring from a California Community College like Bakersfield College to a University of California (UC) school can be a great choice for numerous reasons—it allows you to save on tuition, gain strong academic preparation, and provides a clear path to UC campuses through programs like Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG).

When it comes to the application process, you'll need to complete the following steps:

1. UC Application: The UC application filing period is typically from October 1 to November 30. The application will involve providing your academic and personal information, your extracurriculars, and writing four personal insight questions.

2. Coursework and GPA: You need to complete 60 semester (90 quarter) units of transferable college credit with a GPA of at least 2.4 (or 2.8 for non-residents, though these may be higher for some campuses and majors). These credits should include the 7-course pattern (2 courses in English composition, 1 mathematical concept/quantitative reasoning course, and 4 courses in arts and humanities / social and behavioral sciences / physical and biological sciences).

3. Major Preparation: You should complete prerequisite courses for your intended major (some majors may be competitive and incomplete prerequisites may affect your chances).

4. Apply through TAG: Six UC campuses offer guaranteed admission for California community college students who meet specific requirements. To apply, you must submit your TAG application by September 30th for the fall term, or May 31st for the winter/spring term, and the UC application between October 1 and November 30.

5. IGETC Completion: Complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) to satisfy your lower-division general education requirements at the UC. Not required but highly helpful.

To improve your chances at being accepted into a UC:

- Keep Your Grades Up: Continue striving for high grades in all your courses, as UCs look for strong applicants.

- Extracurriculars: Engagement in community service, clubs, or work experiences related to your major, can help you stand out.

- Good Essays: Your personal insight questions should ideally highlight your experiences, how you handled challenges, what you learned, and how these shaped your goals and aspirations.

- Advising: Regularly meet with your community college adviser to ensure you're on track with your academic plan, and meet with a UC representative or use UC TAP (Transfer Admission Planner).

Remember, each UC campus and even specific majors can have different requirements or recommendations for transfer students, so it's also crucial to research your desired UC campus or program's specific guidelines.

Good luck on your transfer journey!