Transferring from Community College to UCSD for Calculus

I'm taking calculus at my community college and considering transferring to UCSD. How should I prepare to make sure my calculus credits transfer smoothly? Any tips on what UCSD looks for when it comes to calculus and other science credits?

Transferring credits from a community college to a university like UCSD is a fairly common process, and there are several steps you can take to ensure that this process runs smoothly.

First, you should definitely consult with an academic advisor at both institutions. Your community college advisor can help you understand which courses meet the transfer requirements for UCSD, while a UCSD advisor can confirm the criteria you need to meet.

Most importantly, UCSD, like most public colleges in California, uses a system known as ASSIST, which is an online database that lists the courses at California community colleges that are equivalent to courses at California State and University of California colleges.

For calculus, consider the specific calculus and other science courses you've taken. Make sure they are transferrable and equivalent to the courses at UCSD. It's also important to note that UC schools give preference to students who have completed a majority of their major prerequisites, and doing well in these foundational courses demonstrates your readiness for advanced, major-specific coursework at the university level.

As for the application process, it involves a holistic review of your academic history. Besides just the coursework, UCSD also looks at things like GPA, personal essays, and extracurricular involvement. It's crucial to perform well academically but also take part in activities that demonstrate your interest and skill in your field of study.

Remember also, that once you have received acceptance at UCSD after filling out your TAG agreement, you need to send your final transcript from your community college to UCSD to ensure all of your courses have been credited.

Best of luck with your transfer process!