CCC TAG Transfer - What is it?

I'm exploring transfer options and came across the CCC TAG Transfer. How does this work, and can it really guarantee a spot at a UC school? What should I keep in mind if I want to pursue this route?

The CCC TAG, or California Community College Transfer Admission Guarantee, is a program that provides guaranteed admission from a community college to a selection of UC schools. Not every UC school is part of this program, but ones such as UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz participate.

The way it works is fairly straightforward. You begin your post-secondary journey at a California community college with the aim to transfer to a UC school after two years, for a total of 4 years of undergraduate study. The goal is to fulfill your general education requirements and prerequisites for your major at the community college, then transfer to complete the remainder of your degree at a UC school.

To be eligible, you need to meet certain requirements. These vary by school but generally include maintaining a minimum GPA (ranging between 2.8 and 3.5 depending on the school), meeting the admissions requirements of your desired UC school, and completing a specified number of units with passing grades.

A TAG can certainly give peace of mind knowing you have a guaranteed spot, but you should keep in mind that it does involve planning and commitment. You'll need to work closely with your community college counselor to ensure you're taking the correct classes and meeting requirements. Plus, this path may not cover all programs at each participating school, so you'll need to ensure the school and program you want to transfer into participates in TAG.

Moreover, you'll need to complete a TAG application (in addition to the UC application) during a designated TAG filing period, typically in the Fall a year prior to your transfer year. You're also advised to keep an eye on any changes in the TAG agreements as they can change every academic year.

Overall, the CCC TAG is an excellent option if you wish to attend a UC school and will be starting your journey at a California community college. It demands strategic planning and consistent performance, but can be a rewarding path to a UC degree.