Transferring from Community College to CSU

I'm thinking about starting at a community college and then transferring to a CSU. What steps should I take to make sure my credits transfer smoothly, and are there specific programs to help with this process?

Absolutely, there are several ways to ensure a successful transfer from a community college to a CSU (California State University).

First, ensure that the courses that you're taking at your community college are transferable. Both the CSU and California Community Colleges system have a tool called Assist (assist.org) that shows which courses at one school correspond to those at another. Using this tool, you can plan your coursework to ensure all necessary credits can be transferred.

Next, you might want to look into the 'Associate Degree for Transfer' (ADT) program. This is a special degree offered through the California Community College system which guarantees admission to a CSU. However, it doesn’t guarantee admission to a particular campus or major.

Furthermore, look into specific transfer admission agreements (TAAs) between your community college and the CSU campus you're interested in. These agreements outline the classes you need to take in order to be guaranteed admission into your intended major.

Finally, it's critical to stay in close contact with your community college advisor and the admissions office at the CSU where you plan to apply. They're there to ensure you're on the right track with your coursework and deadlines.

The goal is to organize your community college coursework in a way that it will fully count toward your intended bachelor’s degree at CSU, and these resources should certainly help you achieve that. Good luck on your journey!