Cal State vs. community college transfer experience?

I've been hearing mixed things about transferring from community college to a Cal State. Does anyone have personal experience with this process? I'm weighing my options and would love some insight into what to expect.

I can provide some insights into the process of transferring from a community college to a Cal State university.

First, California Community Colleges have something called the "Associate Degree for Transfer" program. This is a special degree designed to ease your transition between the community college and the Cal State system, as well as guaranteeing you a spot in the Cal State system (though not to a specific campus or program). When you earn this degree, you’ll have junior standing at the university and can complete your bachelor’s degree with only 60 more semester units.

You'll want to double-check the details with your community college counselor to make sure you're on track, but this program makes transferring a pretty straightforward process.

Before you even apply, you can use a tool on the Cal State website called “Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Search Tool” to see how your Associate Degree for Transfer will transfer to a CSU major. This tool will help you to understand how your ADT will apply to your chosen major and what classes, if any, you will need to take at your chosen CSU.

When the time comes to apply, Cal State applications open during the first week of October for the following fall term. It’s recommended you apply well before the deadline, which is typically in November.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, keep up your GPA. Requirements can vary based on your major and the specific school, but generally, most students should aim for at least a 2.0 GPA - that's a C average.

I've heard a lot of students find success transferring from community college to a Cal State university. While it does involve some careful planning, the system is designed to help make the move easier for students like you. Best of luck!