Transfer admission programs for California community college students?

I'm at a California community college and thinking about transferring. Are there specific admission programs or partnerships that help with transitioning to a four-year university? Any insights on how to get involved in these?

Yes, there are several transfer programs for California community college students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university in California. Here are some of them:

1. Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT): This program, in partnership with the California Community College system and California State University (CSU), marks a clear pathway for those wishing to transfer between the two systems. You'll earn an associate degree at your community college and a guaranteed saved spot at a CSU school. The program ensures that all credits will transfer and, in most cases, allows students to complete remaining coursework toward a bachelor’s degree within 2 years.

2. Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG): This program offers guaranteed admission to University of California (UC) schools for students who meet specific criteria. Not every UC participates in this, but the list currently includes UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz.

3. IGETC and CSU GE-Breadth: The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) and CSU General Education-Breadth curriculum are a series of courses that California community college students can use to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for any UC or CSU.

To get involved and make the most out of these programs, it is recommended to:

- Meet with a counselor at your community college who specializes in transfer students. They can help you with course selection, understanding the process, and making sure you’re meeting the requirements.

- Regularly visit and utilize the transfer center if your community college has one. This is where you can join useful workshops and get access to resources for transfer students.

- Be proactive about your education and stay on top of deadlines. The transfer process involves its own applications, deadlines, and requirements. Keep an organized calendar to track everything you need to do.

Finally, I want to mention that even if you're aiming to attend a private or out-of-state institution, it's still essential to meet with a counselor who can guide you through their specific transfer admission requirements.