I'm considering using the Plan B transfer option from Cerritos College to a CSU. Can someone explain what makes Plan B unique compared to other transfer plans? Any pros or cons I should consider?
Plan B at Cerritos College is geared towards students who are aiming to transfer specifically into a California State University (CSU). It is a set of general education requirements that, once completed, will ensure you've fulfilled the lower-division general education requirements for the CSU system.
This can be beneficial because it allows you to essentially bypass the requisite general education courses at the four-year university, meaning you can jump straight into your major-specific classes or upper-division coursework. This is potentially a time (and money) saver for students.
Under Plan B, you will be completing a minimum of 39 units in areas such as communication, critical thinking, physical and biological sciences, humanities, social sciences, and lifelong learning.
However, it's important to remember that the Plan B option is strictly for CSU transfers. This means if you later decide to apply to a University of California (UC) or an out-of-state or private university, you would need to meet their specific transfer requirements which may not align with CSU's. It offers less flexibility compared to the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC or Plan C) which meets transfer requirements for both CSU and UC systems.
Another potential drawback is that unlike Plan A which allows you to earn an Associate degree from Cerritos upon completion, Plan B is designed as a transfer plan only and generally does not lead to a degree.
When choosing a pathway, your decision should be driven by your ultimate educational and career goals. Consulting with a Cerritos College academic adviser would be a very good idea to help discern the best approach for your specific situation and goals. They can provide a tailored approach to ensure you're taking the most efficient and beneficial route.
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