How to transfer credits from community college to Berkeley?

I'm a community college student planning to transfer to UC Berkeley. Can anyone explain the credit transfer process? I don't want to miss any important steps. Any tips on ensuring my classes meet Berkeley's requirements?

Firstly, congratulations on your decision to transfer to UC Berkeley! This is an exciting step in your academic journey. Transferring credits from a community college can seem daunting, but rest assured that it's a common, manageable process. Here's a general walk-through of the process:

1. Understand Your Community College's Articulation Agreement: Many community colleges have an established agreement with UC Berkeley outlining which of their courses transfer directly. This articulation agreement will provide specifics about what classes at your community college correspond to classes at UC Berkeley.

2. Use ASSIST: An incredible online tool that you should remember to use is ASSIST (www.assist.org), a database that shows how course credits earned at one public California college or university can be applied when transferred to another. This is particularly helpful for California community college students transferring to a University of California campus.

3. Meet with an advisor: Plan a meeting with your community college advisor or a UC Berkeley admissions counselor. An advisor can help decode any jargon or complexities about the agreements, provide guidance on classes that would best fit your educational and career goals at UC Berkeley, and give you advice based on experience with past students.

4. Keep Track of Your Classes: Keep your course syllabi, exams, papers, and any relevant coursework. If a question arises as to whether a course you've taken matches a UC Berkeley course, having these documents readily available can facilitate the process.

5. Apply for Admission: After you apply to UC Berkeley, and once you are admitted, The Office of Undergraduate Admissions will perform an official evaluation of your college transcripts, detailing exactly which of your credits will transfer and what requirements they satisfy.

6. Request Transcripts: You'll need to request official transcripts from your community college to be sent to UC Berkeley. Be sure to request them in advance due to processing times.

7. Confirm Transfer Credits: Once you've enrolled at UC Berkeley, you'll confirm your transferred credits with your Berkeley advisor during an orientation or advising session. Bring all records of your community college coursework to this meeting.

Remember, the ultimate goal is not just transferring as many credits as possible but making sure the courses you take are strategically moving you towards your degree goal at Berkeley. So, focus on your intended major's prerequisite courses and Berkeley's general education requirements.

Good luck with your transfer process!