Understanding Clovis Community College UC Transfer Process

I'm considering transferring from Clovis Community College to a UC campus. Can someone explain how the transfer process works? Are there specific requirements or steps I need to follow to ensure a smooth transition?

Transferring from a community college like Clovis to a University of California (UC) school is a well-trodden path. The UC system has a specific admissions policy for California community college students to streamline this process, known as the "Transfer Admission Guarantee" (TAG).

Firstly, you should know that six of the nine UC undergraduate campuses offer guaranteed admission to students who meet certain criteria, which includes UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz. UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego do not participate in TAG.

This is the general process with TAG:

1. Complete 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of UC-transferable college credit with a minimum GPA ‒ usually 3.2 for most programs, though some may require a higher GPA.

2. Meet the course requirements set by your chosen major. Each UC campus and each major has different prerequisites, so it's essential to review them early.

3. Submit your TAG application between the window of September 1–30, a year in advance of when you plan to transfer. This is separate from the UC application that you will submit in October or November.

In addition to TAG, all UC campuses use a tool called Assist.org where you can input your current community college and your target UC school to find out which classes at your current school satisfy the general education and major prerequisite requirements at your target school.

Remember, while TAG can guarantee your admission into a UC, it does not guarantee your admission into your major of choice. If your desired major is highly competitive, you still may not get into that major even if you get into the school.

If you fulfill these requirements and keep your GPA up, the transfer process should be seamless. It's also good practice to meet regularly with your guidance counselor/advisor at Clovis to make sure you're on track.

Note: Transfers are only for fall term admission, with the application period from November 1-30 of the previous year. You can update your application in January with your fall grades and any planned coursework, and need to provide your final transcripts to your chosen UC campus by July 1 the year of entrance.