Advice on Transferring Community College Credits to Berkeley

For those who have successfully transferred to Berkeley, how did you ensure your community college credits were accepted? Were there specific resources or tools that helped in planning the transfer?

One of the most effective ways to ensure your community college credits will be accepted by UC Berkeley is to reference the “Assist” tool, available online. Assist is the official source of articulation agreements in California and will help you determine which community college courses are transferable.

Make sure to take classes that are part of the IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum), as these are designed to fulfill the lower-division general education requirements at both UC and CSU campuses. Not all IGETC-approved courses are UC-transferable courses, though, so be sure to cross-reference them with Assist.

Additionally, you might want to consider attending a Berkeley Transfer Admission Planner (TAP) workshop, which is an advising tool specifically designed for California community college students preparing for transfer admission to UC Berkeley. You'll receive specific feedback on your academic course plan.

Ensure to establish contact with a counselor or academic advisor at your community college and potentially a transfer advisor at Berkeley who can guide you through the process. They can help you interpret Assist and IGETC, and guide you toward transfer-friendly classes.

Lastly, stay on top of key application deadlines for UC schools (October 1 - November 30 for the following academic year) and begin preparing your application early. Low grades or not meeting deadlines can complicate the process of transferring credits. So making sure you're doing your best in your community college courses, and applying on time will smooth this process.

Remember, transferring is a journey, and it's important to start with a clear roadmap. Good luck with the process!