Waiving Classes for Transfer from California Community Colleges

I'm planning to transfer from a California community college to a UC. I've heard some classes might be waived during this process. How does that work, and what should I consider when discussing this with my advisor?

It sounds like you’re already taking steps towards your transfer, and that’s fantastic! When you transfer from a community college to a UC school, there is a system already in place to optimize this pathway. It starts with understanding what are known as "articulation agreements" or "course equivalencies" between your community college and the UC.

These articulation agreements define how certain courses you’ve taken at your community college will transfer regarding course credits to the UC you're interested in. In other words, these agreements determine whether a class at your community college can be considered as a substitute for a required course at the UC.

Depending on these agreements, some classes might, indeed, be waived for UC degree requirements, if a similar class was taken at your community college. For example, if you’re studying engineering and you’ve already taken Calculus I at your community college, it’s possible this credit could replace a same-level calculus class at the UC.

When you're discussing this with your academic advisor, it's crucial to have specific ideas about what major (or majors) you'd be interested in pursuing at the UC. This is because the articulation agreements might differ vastly depending on your choice of major. You should also understand the residency requirements at the UC since a certain number of upper division credits must be completed in residence at the UC school.

Also, remember to review the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) which is a series of courses that California community college students can complete to satisfy lower-division general education requirements at any UC.

Lastly, check with your advisor if your academic path fits the "TAG" framework (Transfer Admission Guarantee) - an agreement ensuring transfer admission to a UC from a California community college. Only six UCs support this, but it's worth asking!

Maintaining open communication with your academic counselor and regularly checking in to align your coursework with your transfer goals can create a smooth transition.