How does Berkeley City College's associate for transfer program work?

I'm considering starting at Berkeley City College and then transferring. Does anyone know how their associate for transfer program works and if it’s effective in transferring to a UC? Any personal experiences would be helpful!

Berkeley City College is part of the California Community Colleges system, which has an agreement with the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU) systems to aid students in transferring. The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program offers a clear pathway for students to earn an associate degree and then transfer into a similar major at a UC or CSU campus.

The effectiveness of these transfer programs is quite high. Students who earn an ADT are guaranteed admission to a CSU, but not specifically to the campus or major of choice. However, they are given priority admission consideration to their local CSU campus and to a program or major that is similar to their community college major.

UCs also have a similar transfer agreement called the Transfer Pathway. Although it doesn't guarantee admission to a UC, it does ensure that a student meets the minimum requirements for admission as a junior to one of its campuses. Students can check which major programs have pathways by consulting the UC's Transfer Pathway guide.

The key to taking full advantage of these programs is to work closely with your academic advisors. They can help you select the right courses and apply to the universities on time. Remember to frequently check in with them throughout your college journey to make sure you're on track!

Finally, remember that these are just minimum requirements. Transferring to competitive schools still requires a competitive application. In addition to fulfilling your course requirements, make sure you’re keeping your GPA up, getting involved in extracurriculars, and starting early on your UC application essays. You also can apply to private and out-of-state universities, so weigh all your options!